Silent Spring by Rachel Carson is considered one of the seminal works of environmental science literature. First published in 1962, the book was highly influential in launching the nascent environmental movement in the United States and around the world. In Silent Spring, Carson examines the harmful effects caused by the rampant use of pesticides such as DDT, which became ubiquitous after World War II. In Chapter 2, “The Obligation to Endure,” Carson presents his main arguments and alerts the public to the harmful effects of these pesticides released into the environment. This analysis will focus on the first five paragraphs of the chapter, which are crucial in grabbing the reader's attention and sparking their interest in the topic. Carson's goal is to educate his readers on a topic that most people were unfamiliar with at the time. This article will show that Carson uses introductory paragraphs to inform readers about the dangers of pesticide use and how humanity's recent technological innovations have upset the delicate balance of nature. Her serious tone and choice of language demonstrate the seriousness of the problem, and she strongly condemns what she sees as an unnatural incursion into the planet's ecosystems. Finally, Carson highlights how nature is incapable of keeping pace and adapting to humanity's ever-deadlier inventions to demonstrate the urgency of action to resolve the pollution crisis. Say no to plagiarism. Get a Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get Original Essay Carson begins “Duty to Endure” by stating that we have entered a new era in the history of our planet, an era in which humanity possesses the power to alter Earth's natural environment on a scale that was previously unimaginable. This statement immediately grabs the reader's attention. For millions of years, the environment has shaped its surroundings, but humans now hold the power to shape the natural environment. Carson believes this is a dangerous power, and in the second paragraph she presents her main thesis regarding pesticide use, immediately letting the audience know her position on the issue. She argues that chemicals and pesticides change the environment in unpredictable and negative ways. Since life on Earth is an interconnected network of all ecosystems and species, she is quick to warn that these chemicals could directly threaten humanity in the future. Carson regularly emphasizes the fact that these environmental problems are relatively recent, beginning around the time of the World War. II. She notes the “disturbing scale” with which pollution has progressed and calls it an “assault on the environment” in which humanity has been aggressive in promoting a “chain of evil.” Carson is not afraid to invoke a moral tone to strongly condemn these actions, and she uses powerful language to do so. She gives the example of strontium-90 and pesticides, describing how they travel through various ecosystems, eventually making their way into the human body, where they will remain until death. Carson makes it clear that pollution affects virtually every ecosystem on the planet, including air, water, and animal and plant life. It allows the reader to understand the interconnectedness of life on Earth. She ends the paragraph with a quote from Albert Schweitzer: “Man can hardly recognize the demons of his own creation.” This,.