Essay Questions

What is the insanity of man as narrated by Carson in "Silent Spring'?

Carson is tactical in putting across her vivid point that man is the main culprit of environmental pollution. In the book's beginning, Carson commences by describing one of American's faultless city's beautiful scenery. The city's scenery includes stunning trees and other varieties of vegetation. Unfortunately, man came up with technology, which impacts negatively on the environment. For instance, the author recounts how the once beautiful city dried up when white fine powder started dropping from the skies. As a result, most rivers dried up, and plants died. The ecological life became endangered. Carson does not directly attack or insult man, but she talks about his actions negatively. Destruction of the environment affects man negatively because of the unanticipated climate change, which reduces agricultural activity. Similarly, environmental pollution destroys wildlife, which impacts negatively on tourism and other economic activities. Consequently, human-made activities and inventions return to haunt humanity adversely.

How does the introduction of chemicals and pesticides affect ecological life?

Some of the chemicals are specifically manufactured to kill explicit types of insects or specific species of animals. Unfortunately, such chemicals kill untargeted insects and animals, posing a great danger to ecological life. Carson argues that inadequate research and the profit motive drives companies to avoid investing a lot in research before releasing chemicals into the market. For instance, most industrial chemicals, such as pesticides, are used by farmers globally, and the effects are becoming devastating every day.

What is the central dramatic irony in the 'Silent Spring’?

Ironically, despite the advanced technology-driven by man, the environment keeps on proving him wrong. Humankind has come up with various technologies to alter the environment, but it is the man who is losing it. For instance, the rapid introduction of pesticides by man is doing more harm than good. The pesticides introduced into the market end, killing the untargeted living organisms that are beneficial to people. Additionally, environmental pollution negatively impacts the climate, which puts human beings in great danger due to droughts, wildfires, and poisoned water sources. Therefore, the environment is smarter than man, which is the central dramatic irony in the book 'Silent Spring.'