English 101.11
4 October 2013

Rhetorical Analysis:

Exigence:
When Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring was published in September 27, 1962, it triggered a storm of disputes over the use of chemical pesticides. Her book helped raise awareness for the environment, warn humans of the dangers of using pesticides such as DDT, preserve several plant and animal species, and make the atmosphere cleaner. Her intent in writing Silent Spring was to warn the public of the dangers related with pesticide use. Throughout her book are countless case studies documenting the harmful effects that chemical pesticides have had on the environment. Along with these facts, she explains how in many occasions the pesticides have done more harm than good in eliminating the pests they were supposed to destroy. Carson points out that many of the long-term effects that these chemicals may have on the environment, as well as us humans, are still unknown in addition to her report. The argument in Carson’s Silent Spring led to the passing of environmental legislation and the establishment of government agencies to better regulate the use of these chemicals (Griswold 2012).
Kairos:
While working for the U.S. Bureau of Fisheries, Miss Carson first became aware of the effects of chemical pesticides on the natural environment. Her main concern was the government’s use of chemical pesticides such as DDT, a colorless substance used as an insecticide that is toxic to humans and animals when swallowed or absorbed through the skin (Guralnik 1970). She was familiar with the studies of DDT and knew that it was dangerous and its effects on the environment. According to Carson,
The more I learned about the use of pesticides, the more appalled I became. I realized that here was the material for a book. What I discovered was that everything which meant most to me as a naturalist was being