Phanom Nakha: The Self and Identity of Animals in an Ecocritical Perspective

Abstract

The objectives of this research were 1) to examine the self and animal identity within the ecocriticism; and 2) to evaluate the degree of the relationsahip between human and animals in Pongsakorn's book “Phanom Nakha”. The research was implemented by the method in the humanities. The research has comprehended and analyzed the conceptual writing about animals from an ecocritical perspective. The descriptive analysis was used to show the findings. The self and identity were the two main categories of creatures in Phanom Nakha. For the results. Nagas were the self and identity of the holy animals; whereas snakes were represented the self and identity of the beasts. The different types of creatures had different identities and self-creations, which influenced animal approach. There was a three-level hierarchy of the relation between human and animals. The Nagas has more possessed a superior rank than human. The fear in the Nagas' strength and mystery has regarded human with deference and humility. It became a rite to worship. The hierarchy of animal and human relationships was on parity. These people cherished all pleasant living things, caring, and nature-friendly qualities, which encouraged natural respect for all living things. The status of animals in the animal relationship hierarchy was lower than human. This group of people was evil figures who believed in nature. The enemy of animals and human beings with resemble animals should be imprisoned or exterminated. It would be a dishonor race.