The Surreal Paintings and Ted Hughes's Poems in "Cave Birds": An Ecocritical Perspective

The objective of this research paper is to identify and find the intricate working out of the surreal features contained in the sketches by Leonard Baskin in the collection, “Cave Birds: An Alchemical Cave Drama” by the British Poet Laureate, Ted Hughes (1930- 1998). This paper seeks to identify the relationship of human beings with animals, trees, the vegetation and the green environment as represented in surreal art forms. The limits extend and include analysis, comparisons and contrasts to the basic elements of surreal arts with that of the works of the American Sculptor and painter, Leonard Baskin as found in “Cave Birds”. The study also includes the historical origin of Surrealistic arts. The development of hybrid Surrealism has been considered from the sense of environmental responsibility that helps retain its sustainability. The selected paintings and sketches allow the observer to consider and analyze the significance of cross cultural variation that finds an ever growing environmental consciousness along the line of their own development in general. The selected paintings and sketches, intensely associated with Surrealism, show a way out for those who have alienated themselves from Nature. A close working out of the selected visual arts reveal an intrinsic view where all the experiences of the world are found to be, not isolated from the experiences of Nature but, to seek a way of human development that includes a post-humanist outlook that can maintain a harmony and uphold a balance of human-nature relationship without which none can thrive.