Silent Spring (1962)

Abstract

When Rachel Carson wrote Silent Spring she challenged DDT, a “war hero,” a “magic” insecticide that saved the lives of both soldiers and civilians from insect-borne diseases in World War II and promised to solve mankind’s insect problems (Maguire 196). At a time when science and technology were hailed as the tools that had won World War II (the war that many believed would end all wars) and now would lead America forward to even greater heights of power and well-being, her work challenged the beliefs about science and technology. She questioned the practices and belief systems of economic entomologists, pesticide manufacturers, agribusiness, government regulatory agencies and common citizens.

Keywords

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