Analysis Of “Homework” Allen Ginsberg, born in Newark, New Jersey in 1926, was a strong libertarian that supported antiwar movements and environmental protection in addition, he “traveled to South, America, Europe, Morocco, and India in 1962,” (Charters 12). During his childhood, his mother was plagued with nervous breakdowns and psychological troubles. Similarly, Ginsberg plead insanity to a crime later on in life, and he spent several months in a mental institution. In 1956, Ginsberg’s “Howl and Other Poems” brought him to public attention, ( Poetry Foundation 1). One poem “Homework,” discusses problems with first- world countries, a desire to strive for a better world, and their lack of environmental concern. “Homework,” therefore, is
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Ginsberg made a statement about the poor state of the environment in “Homework” by writing, “drain sludge out of the Mediterranean basin,”( Ginsberg 7). The Love Canal referred to in the poem alludes to a tragedy during the twentieth century. In 1920, the canal was used as a chemical dumpsite, which was later turned into a residential area. Unfortunately in 1978, the Love Canal exploded leaving houses in shambles and people with serious injuries, (Beck 1). He also mentioned political controversies such as the Iran vs. United States and the Sino-Soviet split. “Homework” mentions nature, belief in a better world, pollution, endangered species, and bettering political issues, the Sino-Soviet split. For example, “put all the birds and elephants back in the jungle” and “rub that smog off the North Pole” show the struggle to preserve the environment, (Ginsberg 2-4). Showing that first- world countries are not perfect either is a major theme in the poem: “ I’d throw in my United States” and “ Then I’d throw big Asia in one giant Load” were Ginsberg’s ways of commenting on how impure powerful countries are, (Ginsberg 2 -10). The Sino- Soviet split that is mentioned in the poem was a political dilemma during Ginsberg’s time. “ The Chinese and Soviet bureaucracies were more and more at odds with one another. After an intense exchange of insults over several years, Khrushchev withdrew Soviet aid …show more content…
“Rub a dub dub” is a child’s rhyme which shows how major issues are not taken seriously, (Ginsberg 5). Ginsberg wanted to raise awareness of how many problems there are because society tends to overcomplicate or be too uninvolved about important issues. For example, “the whole mess of Russia and China” was a conflict born out of insults, (Ginsberg 11). On the flip side, the Love Canal Tragedy occurred because of the negligence of the government. Another one of society’s faults is that it does not realize the major negative impact that it has left on nature. Ginsberg made several remarks about the state of our environment. He discussed endangered species that became extinct due to deforestation, pointing out how putting “all the birds and elephants back in the jungle” would be the best solution, (Ginsberg 2). Allen also mentioned the pollution in “the oily Carib & Gulf of Mexico” as well as “the pipelines in Alaska” because the oil harms animals and people, (Ginsberg 3-4). He tried to advocate a safer and cleaner world because he believed that it was possible. The societal ills present in the poem were controversies of the 1960’s that Allen Ginsberg wrote about so that society would see all of the events together on a global
Ginsberg made a statement about the poor state of the environment in “Homework” by writing, “drain sludge out of the Mediterranean basin,”( Ginsberg 7). The Love Canal referred to in the poem alludes to a tragedy during the twentieth century. In 1920, the canal was used as a chemical dumpsite, which was later turned into a residential area. Unfortunately in 1978, the Love Canal exploded leaving houses in shambles and people with serious injuries, (Beck 1). He also mentioned political controversies such as the Iran vs. United States and the Sino-Soviet split. “Homework” mentions nature, belief in a better world, pollution, endangered species, and bettering political issues, the Sino-Soviet split. For example, “put all the birds and elephants back in the jungle” and “rub that smog off the North Pole” show the struggle to preserve the environment, (Ginsberg 2-4). Showing that first- world countries are not perfect either is a major theme in the poem: “ I’d throw in my United States” and “ Then I’d throw big Asia in one giant Load” were Ginsberg’s ways of commenting on how impure powerful countries are, (Ginsberg 2 -10). The Sino- Soviet split that is mentioned in the poem was a political dilemma during Ginsberg’s time. “ The Chinese and Soviet bureaucracies were more and more at odds with one another. After an intense exchange of insults over several years, Khrushchev withdrew Soviet aid …show more content…
“Rub a dub dub” is a child’s rhyme which shows how major issues are not taken seriously, (Ginsberg 5). Ginsberg wanted to raise awareness of how many problems there are because society tends to overcomplicate or be too uninvolved about important issues. For example, “the whole mess of Russia and China” was a conflict born out of insults, (Ginsberg 11). On the flip side, the Love Canal Tragedy occurred because of the negligence of the government. Another one of society’s faults is that it does not realize the major negative impact that it has left on nature. Ginsberg made several remarks about the state of our environment. He discussed endangered species that became extinct due to deforestation, pointing out how putting “all the birds and elephants back in the jungle” would be the best solution, (Ginsberg 2). Allen also mentioned the pollution in “the oily Carib & Gulf of Mexico” as well as “the pipelines in Alaska” because the oil harms animals and people, (Ginsberg 3-4). He tried to advocate a safer and cleaner world because he believed that it was possible. The societal ills present in the poem were controversies of the 1960’s that Allen Ginsberg wrote about so that society would see all of the events together on a global