Silent Spring: Chapter 7 Analysis
By EmilyClaire Peden and Jeremy Phelps
Summary
Quotes
"The choice of Aldrin, one of the deadliest of all chemicals, was not determined by any peculiar suitability ... but simply by the wish to save money - Aldrin was the cheapest of the compounds available." - This quote is important because it shows that the government doesn't care about the effects of the deadly chemicals on the environment, the government only cares about how much it will cost to get the job done.
"By 1960, every species of wild mammal known to inhabit the area had suffered losses." - This quote shows that the government did no research on the effects of the chemicals, that or the government had no mercy and didn't care about the environment enough not to cover the lands with deadly and poisonous chemicals.
What we found puzzling/ surprising
Whats CHanged
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act of 1996 provides for federal regulation of pesticide distribution and use. All pesticides distributed in the US must be registered by EPA. Before EPA may register a pesticide under FIFRA, the applicant must show that using the pesticide according to specifications will not generally cause unreasonable adverse effects on the environment.
And several other acts have been passed to provide protection for the US environment from pesticides.
Structure
Ethos, Pathos, Logos
She uses logos by providing numbers and facts: "All had similar symptoms: vomiting, chills, fever, extreme, fatigue, and coughing." These facts provided information about how the pesticides were effecting people in deadly ways.
She uses ethos by using ethics and the characteristic spirit of a community as manifested in its beliefs and aspirations: "The first indication that the people were concerned about the spray was a call I received on Sunday morning from a woman who reported that coming home from church she saw an alarming number of dead and dying birds." This shows that the pesticides had effects that were destructive and crushing to the communities spirit.
She uses pathos by provoking sadness and pity from the reader: "his office was full of clients with dogs and cats that had suddenly sickened." This evokes emotion from the reader as they are saddened by the sickly effects the pesticides had on animals.
Claim
Sources
"Summary of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act." EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, 10 Jan. 2017. Web. 27 Apr. 2017.
"Pesticide Laws and Regulations." National Pesticide Information Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2017.
Pictures:
"50th Anniversary of Silent Spring." 50th Anniversary of Silent Spring | BirdNote. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2017.
"Protecting People From Pesticides." Earthjustice. N.p., 06 Sept. 2016. Web. 28 Apr. 2017.
"Pesticides News, Articles and Information:." NaturalNews. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2017.
"Silent Spring at 50: Reexamining Rachel Carson's Classic." Silent Spring at 50: Reexamining Rachel Carson's Classic | PERC – The Property and Environment Research Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2017.
"USDA Study: Pesticide Use Dips in U.S." ET Sprayers. N.p., 27 May 2014. Web. 28 Apr. 2017.
"Unhealthy Effects of Pesticides." Unhealthy Effects of Pesticides | ENCOGNITIVE.COM. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2017.
"The Challenge." Thought For Food. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2017.
Simplified, Learning. "Effects of Pesticides on Pollution." World's Fastest Growing Educational Portal. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2017.