English 1100; Fall, XXXXXXXXXXShannon Smyrl Critical Response Essay – In Class(20%) Due: Thursday, February 14th Task: On the 14th, in class, you will be asked to write a critical response to one the...

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The Obligation to Endure
In “The Obligation to Endure”, Carson has highlighted a significant issue which should
be addressed properly to ensure the longevity of the human population. In the passage Carson
has pointed out how the pesticides and insecticides used in farming are not only harming the
environment in which their application is going on and how going beyond this confinement these
chemicals are affecting the entire human society. The passion for protecting the environment and
enforcing the concerned authorities to address the negative impact of specific human activities
has instigated Carson to write this passage and thereby make the majority of her readers aware of
the degradations that are going on in respect of the condition of the environment within which
human beings are surviving. It is a fact that through her persuasive style of writing Carson has
definitely appealed to the senses of the sensible readers who should become aware of the ill-
effects of the administration of harmful chemicals in the domain of agriculture.
The author has specifically pointed out that how the application and pouring down of a
huge amount of pesticides in order to kill insects to save crops is actually poisoning the entire
human society. And supporting this point of view of the author I should admit that the insanity
on the part of the profit-mongering businessmen and farmers are actually paving the way for the
rise in the degree of contamination in the foods that human beings intake. Carson has rightly
pointed out that insecticides are actually biocides as they are responsible for the gradual
degradation of the environment and this degrading condition is in turn putting the animal
kingdom into tremendous jeopardy. Moreover, in my opinion, the primary significance of
Carson’s write up lies in the fact that she has not only revealed and brought forward the problem
related to the use of insecticides and pesticides but has also rendered effort to provide a solution
to this problem in a logical manner. She has argued against the usage of insecticides and such
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other deadly chemicals and backed her argument with proper logic. Appealing to the emotions of
the readers, in my opinion, Carson has fruitfully applied the element of pathos. She has
persuaded her reader to understand the fact that the insecticides are not only killing the harmful
insects responsible for destroying crops, but are also killing myriads of harmless insects and
other animals and putting them on the verge of extinction.
In conclusion, it should be admitted that the passage bears an important message which
should be taken seriously by the readers and all the targeted audiences. Strengthening her
argument Carson has logically enumerated how the chemical pesticides are being put into the
roots of the plants, how these chemicals are allowed to settle into the soil and mix with the water
polluting the water bodies, how the domestic animals are eating these poisoned plants, and how
ultimately human beings are being affected while eating the meat of these specific animals.
Everything has been mentioned logically by the author giving the write up an important look.
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Art Form For the Digital Age
In the article “Art Form For the Digital Age” Jenkins has emphasized on the evolving
role of the video games and their distinctive roles in today’s society. In my opinion Jenkins’
stressing on the fact that video games should be considered as an art form should be supported
and admitted as his argument and his recommendation both are based on logical grounds that
cannot be denied at any cost. But I should also admit that Jenkins over-emphasis on the social
productivity of video games should not be supported thoroughly as in my view video games are
trying to become substitutes for...