Silent Spring by Rachel Carson is a captivating, complex, and easy-to-read nonfiction piece that launched the environmental movement. The book was published in 1962, two years before Carson passed. Due to her substantial concern about the environment, the thesis of Silent Spring revolves around different examples of how chemicals and pesticides are misused, affecting our planet as a whole. Carson was a marine biologist where, at that time, several people did not take her work seriously, because she was a woman. Additionally, she was battling breast cancer, which inspired many young women across the world who read and followed her pieces of literature. Her strong passion for both science and writing, allowed her to publish Silent Spring, which captured and transformed many people’s views towards the environment.
Throughout the book, Carson keeps the audience engaged with her writing style. She utilizes and repeats words such as, “our”, “history”, and “mankind” to indicate that as human beings, we share the same planet with other living organisms. One admirable aspect about her writing is that it is straightforward and comprehensible. Carson makes sure that she explains her points vividly and as clear for the readers. She makes countless arguments that although some harmful chemicals may not affect humans directly, it does to the plants and animals, making it equally as important. Her main focus fluctuates between educating the readers with evidence from professional scientists and studies, to going into detail about each chemical being misused. DDT is the most powerful pesticide affecting nature, killing hundreds of different kinds of insects, and Carson discusses how it was being used in the environment.
For example, Carson talks about the most dangerous poisons, insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. She emphasizes how much these chemicals are relied on by humans who do not even know the full consequences that may impact their health. This is a strong argument Carson conveys throughout the entire book, creating a relationship between nature and human beings. Not only is this important in the present, but also for future generations. Carson’s intention was for people to become more aware of different ways they can contribute to maintaining a healthy environment. Rachel Carson successfully proves her points towards acknowledging the relationship between mankind and nature. This is shown by her 50 pages worth of evidence and sources, that demonstrate her accurate data and descriptions. As someone who had little knowledge about DDT and how different types of chemicals affect the environment before reading this book, I highly recommend Silent Spring. Not only do you become more educated, but you are reading and interpreting it from a females marine biologist’s point of view. It is fascinating how Silent Spring has an impact on our environment today because there are multiple accounts that people can take from it. After reading this book, you will have a different perspective towards the environment that will allow you to research and dig into the next steps in how we, as humans, can help better our planet as a whole.
The Roar 