The Right Way to Remember Rachel Carson

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Jill Lepore writes biography with striking similarity to fiction. This article provides background on Rachel Carson's relationship to the sea, which inspired her 1937 breakout essay, "Undersea," and then it summarizes how Silent Spring impacted the environmental movement. Many of her most characteristic works about the ocean have gone unnoticed, understandably, by the general public because they contain little investment in politics or activism. The author writes, "Political persuasion is a strange measure of the worth of a piece of prose whose force lies in knowledge and wonder."

Lepore also explains how much of Carson's life influenced the presence of domesticity as a theme throughout her work, connecting with nature. The article chronicles her experience with cancer and the neglectful attitude that her doctor showed her, which was "common practice, especially with female patients." This article's acknowledgement of scientific sexism confirms the way that issues like environment and misogyny can be intersectional, just as her appeal to domesticity in Silent Spring does.

According to Lepore, it was a miracle that Carson was able to finish the book before her death. The piece also includes a summary of a debate that occurred between Carson and the mouthpiece of the Insecticide industry on CBS Reports. She ultimately won the debate.

Lepore concludes with a recount of her desire to write a book about the "age of rising seas" and a "startling alteration of climate."

Questions:

  • Can a literary piece--like "Undersea--" containing artistic, awe-inspiring description change politics to the same extent that a provocative, controversial piece--like Silent Spring--can? Why or why not?
  • What are some intersections between the environmental movement and the feminist movement? What are some literary or artistic works that combine elements of both?


Comments

  1. UnknownNovember 27, 2018 at 3:10 PM

    Literary pieces like “Undersea” deserve a space in the discussion of climate change and environmental policy. “Serious” literature is not the only place that should form the discourse around environmental policy, as it is important to have an appreciation of the environment you are trying to protect. Pieces like “Undersea” serve as a basis of why progressive changes in environmental policy are so important. Without an awe-inspiring account of nature, the push for change to help our environment would not be as prevalent. There are many connections between the environmental movement and feminism, as often the ideas of women in this field are discounted because of their gender. Men are often given the forefront in scientific matters, and I believe that Rachel Carson tied together feminism and environmentalism by refusing to let her voice be overshadowed and by writing about such a controversial topic.

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  2. DJ McDowellNovember 29, 2018 at 2:50 PM

    I do believe that Undersea can change politics like Silent Spring can. If Silent Spring could do it, who says that Undersea cannot? Whether or not Undersea could change politics to the same extent as Silent Spring is questionable. The reason why Silent Spring changed politics is because it was controversial. It actually challenged things. Undersea can stand strong on its own merits but all-in-all I do not believe that it could radically change politics. I agree with Megan that the intersection between feminism and the environment is that female scientists were often not listened to because of gender norms.

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