Who is the audience of Silent Spring?
Rachel Carson’s audience in Silent Spring was the American public at large. She wanted to awaken the public to the hidden dangers of pesticides,…
What is the main idea of Silent Spring?
The overarching theme of Silent Spring is the powerfuland often negativeeffect humans have on the natural world. Carson’s main argument is that pesticides have detrimental effects on the environment; she says these are more properly termed “biocides” because their effects are rarely limited to the target pests.
What impact did Silent Spring have?
Silent Spring was met with fierce opposition by chemical companies, but it spurred a reversal in national pesticide policy, led to a nationwide ban on DDT for agricultural uses, and inspired an environmental movement that led to the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Why was Silent Spring banned?
Kennedy ordered the President’s Science Advisory Committee to examine the issues the book raised, its report thoroughly vindicated both Silent Spring and its author. As a result, DDT came under much closer government supervision and was eventually banned.
What does the title Silent Spring mean?
The title Silent Spring was inspired by a line from the John Keats poem “La Belle Dame sans Merci” and evokes a ruined environment in which “the sedge is wither’d from the lake, / And no birds sing.” …
Who wrote Silent Spring and why is it important?
Rachel Carson’s seminal 1962 book, Silent Spring, told the real-life story of how bird populations across the country were suffering as a result of the widespread application of the synthetic pesticide DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane), which was being used widely to control mosquitoes and others insects.
Is Silent Spring still relevant today?
Today marks half a century since the publication of one of the environmental movement’s seminal books – Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring. It’s credited with playing a pivotal role in the banning of the pesticide DDT in the US, 10 years after its publication in 1972.
Where is DDT still used?
DDT is still used today in South America, Africa, and Asia for this purpose. Farmers used DDT on a variety of food crops in the United States and worldwide. DDT was also used in buildings for pest control.
What is the white granular powder in Silent Spring?
Sure, the white powder is pesticides, we get that—but this is no way to begin a scientific work! Carson’s critics contended just that. They pointed to this fairytale introduction to argue that she wasn’t a true scientist and that her book was too emotional and too idealist to present itself as science (Smith 737-738).
What is the condition of life at the beginning of this excerpt?
‘ What is the condition of life at the beginning of this excerpt? Life is idyllic. The world is clean, beautiful, and fruitful.
What fell on the roofs lawns fields and streams Silent Spring?
In the gutters under the eaves and between the shingles of the roofs, a white granular powder still showed a few patches; some weeks before it had fallen like snow upon the roofs and the lawns, the fields and streams. No witchcraft, no enemy action had silenced the rebirth of new life in this stricken world.
Which best describes one main difference between Rachel Carsons Silent Spring and John Muirs save the redwoods?
Which best describes one main difference between Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring and John Muir’s “Save the Redwoods”? Silent Spring starts with a positive picture and ends with a negative picture, while “Save the Redwoods” starts with a negative picture and ends with a positive picture.
Which best compares the structure of Silent Spring and save the redwoods?
Which best compares the structure of Silent Spring and “Save the Redwoods”? Silent Spring starts with a negative tone and ends with a positive tone, while “Save the Redwoods” starts with a positive tone and ends with a positive tone.
Why is it entitled A Fable for Tomorrow?
The title of this piece is A Fable for Tomorrow, from Silent Spring. A Fable for Tomorrow alludes to the fact that this story is fictional, there has not yet been a town afflicted by all these misfortunes, but it could happen tomorrow.
What is the purpose of a fable for tomorrow?
“A Fable for Tomorrow” was intended by the author Rachel Carson to serve as a warning for the overuse of pesticides in the eco-system. Published in 1962, the town described in the essay initially epitomizes the small towns of another time when everything seemed in perfect harmony with nature.
What does DDT pesticide stand for?
dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane
What problems did DDT cause?
Human health effects from DDT at low environmental doses are unknown. Following exposure to high doses, human symptoms can include vomiting, tremors or shakiness, and seizures. Laboratory animal studies showed effects on the liver and reproduction. DDT is considered a possible human carcinogen.
Was Banning DDT a mistake?
Yes, DDT was overused, and there were concerns about the effect on bird eggs. There were also concerns that insects might become resistant. Unfortunately, the outright ban had the consequence of making DDT unavailable, greatly increasing the incidence of Malaria in Africa and other tropical areas.
Is DDT good or bad?
DDT is toxic to a wide range of living organisms, including marine animals such as crayfish, daphnids, sea shrimp and many species of fish. DDT, DDE and DDD magnify through the food chain, with apex predators such as raptor birds concentrating more chemicals than other animals in the same environment.
What happens if you drink DDT?
Eating food with large amounts (grams) of DDT over a short time would most likely affect the nervous system. People who swallowed large amounts of DDT became excitable and had tremors and seizures.