Rural Spaces in Ruskin Bond Novels: An Ecocritical and Character‐Centric Exploration

Abstract

This paper investigates the presentation of rural spaces in the novels of Ruskin Bond, and  it uses the ecocritical framework and a close reading of the text that examines how Bond's vivid portrayal of the Lower Himalayan countryside not only serves as a picturesque backdrop, but it plays as a vital, essential element shaping character's identity. It also brings in cultural values and ecological consciousness. This analysis focused on the integration of natural landscape with human relationships, the interplay between tradition and modernity, and the ethical implications regarding environmental stewardship. By drawing on both the primary text and contemporary critical perspectives, this paper argues that Bond's rural settings are a mosaic of memory where nature and humanity coexist in a fragile balance as well.