Read and Review:

Silent Spring

Hilary Dingman
EDUC 5473 Section 2
Dr. Shaunda Wood
January 18, 2018
 Dingman 2

Summary
The Book Silent Spring was written in 1962, by Rachel Carson. In addition to her well-

known written work, Carson is also widely recognized for being a conservationist, and a former

marine biologist. Carson’s book Silent Spring inspired social change with her critique of the use

of pesticides on the environment, particularly the use of a harmful chemical named DDT. In this

highly prized bestseller, Carson acts as an advocate for the environment while at the same time

warning readers against their recent desire to have total control over the environment. Despite

the complexity of the topic, the content is easily understood by those without a science

background, as Carson uses common everyday language. The books dark and gloomy tone

helped to deliver a call to action against these harmful pesticides, whose use had become second

nature to so many. While the book contains several important messages, Carson’s driving

argument is that in our fight against undesirable insects, we are slowly poisoning our own kind.

The first chapter of the book begins with a beautiful narration of an idyllic world, where

both mankind and nature peacefully coexist. Carson is quick to bring the reader back to reality,

pointing out how widespread the poisoning of our own environment has become. Carson refers

to the hundreds of new man-made pesticides as “biocides,” since these chemicals were killing

more than just insects. The readers find out these biocides were not actually just destroying their

intended target, rather, they were causing a great deal of harm to some of nature’s most valuable

creations. Due to the importance of this discovery, several chapters were spent uncovering the

negative implications that these biocides have had on our water, soil, fish, birds, plants and

animals.

In the following chapters, Carson attempted to shed a light on the chemical industry, who

despite contrary evidence, have continued to deny the negative side effects that pesticides
 Dingman 3

present. The book also acknowledges the struggles that the agricultural industry has had to face

with regards to maximizing crop production while at the same time causing major damage to the

environment. Carson argued that there was no need for widespread poisoning, when the

undesirable pests could be controlled in a safer and more natural approach.

Carson sees the greatest danger in the large aerial spraying campaigns, which have been

proven to be extremely ineffective in pest control. The book examines several cases where the

biocides have wiped out several unintended species. For instance, in the Midwest the pesticide

Aldrin was used to eliminate Japanese Beetles, despite their being a more viable natural solution

available. The chemical coated the entire region, contaminating the water, and wiping out the

areas once thriving bird population. Carson warns that this is just one instance, of what is

occurring regularly across the nation.

The last couple of chapters of Silent Spring are spent closely examining the effects that

the biocides have had on human health, specifically in the areas were suspicious illnesses have

seen an increase. The food we eat, and the water we drink, Carson argues are not free from these

toxic chemicals. Carson warns the readers of the long term affects that biocides can have on both

the human population, and on the environment. The book concludes, by offering a number of

safe, and natural methods for pest control.

Resource for Teaching

Silent Spring is a great teaching text, to educate students on the food chain, and the

danger that man-made chemicals can have on it. Within the book Carson described how DDT

enters the food chain, contaminating the food that we put on our table, and causing diseases like

Cancer in those who are exposed. Carson further elaborated on this topic, by explaining how the
 Dingman 4

poisonous chemicals deposited themselves into the fatty tissues of animals, causing them to be

poisoned over a long period of time. Students could use the data collected in this text to explore

food chains, and how all living things are to an extent dependent on their environment. From this

discussion on feeding relationships, a lesson on ecosystems could also be formed. For instance,

students could explore how all living things need one another to survive, and how interferences

in this delicate structure can cause imbalances. Perhaps students could create their own viable

ecosystem with the information that they have collected.

Students could study the damaging effects that urban expansion into areas once used for

agriculture might cause. This urbanization puts a great deal of pressure on farmers to produce

more food for a growing population on less land. The students could look at such songs as Joni

Mitchell’s song “Big Yellow Taxi,” whose lyrics talk about paving over farmland and using

DDT to create a class discussion.

Lastly, students could also be inspired to follow in Carson’s footsteps, and research their

own environmental problem. Relevant topics could include, climate change, global warming or

pollution. Following an investigation period, the teacher could encourage the students to develop

a viable solution to their own problem. Through this type of activity, ideally students will begin

to understand the role that we play in protecting the environment. Books like Silent Spring can

remind both teachers and students that we cannot be complacent, and that we have a

responsibility to protect earths organisms. In today’s society human technology is often

celebrated, but as teachers we should ensure that its negative effects on the natural world should

not be forgotten.