HYDRO-TERROR AND HUMAN SPACES: NARRATIVES OF WATER, POWER, AND DISPLACEMENT IN LITERATURE

Abstract

This article explores the theme of hydro-terror and its impact on human spaces in literature, focusing how water is used as a tool of power, displacement, and destruction. Water, a powerful symbol in literature, represents both life and chaos, and its manipulation serves to control and oppress marginalized communities. Through examples from works such as The Hungry Tide, Solar Storms, The Year of the Flood, and The Grapes of Wrath, the study highlights how water shapes human existence, symbolizing both survival and destruction. Hydro-terror, as depicted in these narratives, goes beyond physical displacement, affecting psychological and cultural aspects of communities. The portrayal of water in these works underscores the colonial exploitation of natural resources, reshaping landscapes and lives. Ultimately, literature reflects the dire consequences of using water as a tool of power, urging a reflection on its symbolic and real-world implications.