I have found our recent class discussions about pesticides to be very intriguing and applicable to present environmental issues.  First, I was intrigued by the scientific, yet understandable writings of Rachael Carson in Silent Spring. I am also enjoying the fiction novel, Under the Feet of Jesus, by Viramontes.  I feel as thought the two complement each other well.  Silent Spring presents the factual results and consequences of careless pesticide use, while Under the Feet of Jesus portrays the emotional and more easily relatable aspects of such pesticide use.

I found the use of the familiar to evoke feelings of concern in both texts fascinating.  In the first chapter of Silent Spring, entitled “A Fable for Tomorrow”, Carson utilizes the familiar idea of fruitful life in spring and turns it into an apocalyptic vision of a miserable world.  She accomplishes this through vivid imagery such as seen in the use of, “browned and withered vegetation” (3) as well as, “The few birds seen anywhere were moribund; they trembled violently and could not fly.” (2).  She also employs a lack of auditory imagery, for example she states, “no bees droned” (2) and  “It was a spring without voices.” (2).  Both of these effects evoke feelings of sadness and revulsion when spring should be considered a time of happiness and renewal.  These results are then related to the actions of the people themselves (i.e. using pesticides carelessly).   She explains that all these incidences actually happened in real places and could potentially increase in commonality. This is supposed to have a shocking effect intended to awaken the reader to the seriousness of the problem.

Viramontes also writes to inform the reader of some of the harmful effects of pesticides.  Instead of solely focusing on pesticide effects like Carson, Viramontes develops the characters in her story and their other issues in life as well.  This emotional connection the reader develops with the characters sparks concern for the reckless use of pesticides, such as when Alejo becomes ill after being sprayed.  He did not suspect the spray to happen on the day it did occur and becomes deathly ill after he is doused with the chemicals.  The reader is inclined to feel more concerned for the welfare of a character they know and can relate to, rather than to unknown characters from scientific studies.

It seems that both authors are in tune with the power of literature to lead to emotional connections with actual happenings, which may then spark inspiration and action.  Texts that establish and use this connection to their advantage may help to fuel environmental justice movements.   As Buell explained in his glossary, environmental justice started as a “grassroots movement” (141).  One text I can think of where a work of literature utilized reasoning and a call to action for the sake of the environment and environmental justice is “Voices from White Earth”, by LaDuke.  She argues that capitalism is destroying the earth due to its inherent values of human domination and that Native Americans can suggest and practice a more sustainable way of living.  She also brings up how Native Americans have been taken advantage of over the years and that if they were more involved with politics they may be able to make positive changes.  While this work does not seem to have sparked much action, it s fairly well known and presents some valid points.  What do you think, can literature spark enough emotion in a person to call them to action?  If not, what can?