From “Snake” to “Human”, from “Human” to “Snake” Ambiguity of Humanity and Animality in the Novel Na-kee

Abstract

This article is an attempt to analyze the characters Chao-mae-Na-Kee and Khum-Kaew in the novel Na-kee by Tri Apirum. The key theoretical approach of this article is based on ecocriticism. This article has three main concerns: 1) the meaning of Chao-mae-Na-Kee’s taking possession of a human being, 2) Chao-mae-Na-Kee’s denial of and desire for animality. 3) the meaning of a human being’s transforming into a snake. With regard to the first point, it was found that Chao-mae-Na-Kee’s taking possession of the human Khum-Kaew in order to be born into a new incarnation represents the unity between humanity and nature. This rebirth is regarded as an abnormally by society, and so Khum-Kaew must be excluded and is despised by society. Moreover, Chao-mae-Na-Kee’s rebirth as Khum Kaew from the perspective of ecocriticism is seen as a sign of humanity’s dependence on the spirit of nature. This shows the body of a human being who has died is able to return to life through the spirit of nature. Chao-mae-Na-Kee’s denial of and craving for animality reveals Chao-mae-Na-Kee as abject. The important feature of this is that this abjection is her identity: she longs for animality but at the same time wants to eradicate it. Chao-mae-Na-Kee perhaps represents the instability of human beings, a point which demonstrates and underscores that the human body has no significance at all. In sum, this novel shows the might of nature and weakness of human beings through the characters: “Khum-Keaw” and “Chao-mae-Na-Kee”.