Rachel Carson and the Wonder of Nature

• In Event: Revisiting Rachel Carson’s Place in Environmental History

Abstract

In all of her writings, Rachel Carson inspired and fostered emotions in her readers. Her books about the sea introduced readers to incredible animals and wondrous places that lay just beneath the waters of seascapes. Her descriptions of predator-prey relationships and life histories capture the intricacies of life in the sea. Carson addressed the significance of wonder specifically in an article published in 1958. For Carson, the sense of wonder was a key component of childhood that was lost in most adults. Wonder enabled people to connect with nature and the environment. Despite the dark subject of “Silent Spring,” Carson managed to inspire wonder with the natural world. Moreover, she showed how agricultural chemicals threatened animals, humans, and even the very fabric of life. Carson drew on the scientific literature and incorporated references to poetry and prose to animate a challenging and disturbing topic. However, beyond wonder, “Silent Spring” elicited other emotions; specifically, indignation and fury at the threat pesticides posed to ecosystems, animals, and even humans. Ultimately, such anger motivated political action which launched the environmental movement in America. Carson’s lasting impression on environmentalism and environmental history is directly linked to her ability to inspire emotions in her readers.

Author

• Frederick R. Davis, Purdue University