Sunday, December 14, 2014

In Silent Spring, how was life in terms of biodiversity before the strange blight crept into the imaginary town?

The first chapter of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring is called "A Fable for Tomorrow," and it begins with richly descriptive imagery of "a town in the heart of America where all life seems to live in harmony with its surroundings." The biodiversity of this area is thriving. The narrator of the fable describes a virtual Eden where fields and orchards are fertile and brimming with crops. Roadsides are lush and verdant, and passersby enjoy the sight. In winter, it continues to support life as birds feast on berries and the dried seed heads of weeds not covered in snow. The area is a destination for birdwatchers because of the vibrant migration routes in spring and fall and because of the diversity of species. It is also a destination for fishermen because of the health and abundance of trout. Foxes and deer live there. The narrator observes that this biodiversity has persisted since colonial times.

No comments:

Post a Comment