Chapter Introduction

• Main Author: Judith, Kate (auth)
• Format: Electronic Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 2023
• Subjects: Applied ecology; The Earth: natural history general; Derrida; Ecocriticism; environmental humanities; material semiotics; Merleau-Ponty; new materialism
• Online Access: DOAB: download the publication; DOAB: description of the publication

The Introduction introduces and explains the importance of all the themes and contexts that will be explored in detail through the chapters. First, it explains why interstitiality (or in-betweenness) is a key concept for the environmental humanities and why exploring it theoretically is useful for work that seeks to move beyond an anthropocentric perspective. It then indicates the central theoretical approach of the text; semiotic materialism (or material semiotics). Next, it introduces mangrove environments and the particular mangroves situated along the Cooks and Georges Rivers in Sydney that are the sites for the more-than-human theoretical enquiries of the book. A methodological discussion follows, explaining how the work strives to engage with interstitiality through a non-anthropocentric approach by working theory and mangrove ecology together. Finally, the content of each of the three main sections of the book is outlined. Each section explores a key concept related to interstitiality; reflexivity in becoming, relationality, and difference.