Walt Whitman Predicting Ginsberg Analysis

Whitman Predicting Ginsberg Every piece of poetry examined thus far this semester has had one common underlying thread. Regardless of form, style, or language, every collection of works has served as a vehicle to document history and warn humanity about the future. A fine example of this is the juxtaposition of mid 19th century poet Walt Whitman, and mid 20th century poet Allen Ginsberg. In his poem, Crossing the Brooklyn Ferry, Whitman envisions a hopeful future for America, while subtly warning of the dismal future that could easily happen if American’s were not careful. His optimistic vision does not come to fruition, leaving only his forlorn future to occur. Whitman’s prediction of this harsh future is expertly portrayed in Allen Ginsberg’s contemporary work describing 1950’s America. Ginsberg’s works, America and Howl, directly respond to Whitman’s warnings, document the present times, and warn future generations. Whitman’s collection of poems, Crossing the Brooklyn Ferry, describes his personal struggle and eventual understanding of being one person amidst a crowd. His broad realization is that many people will experience the same emotions he is feeling, journey the same routes he is traveling, and battle with the same troubles his is struggling with. To Whitman, these commonalities that connect all …show more content…
His instructions, found in the final section of Howl, titled “Footnote to Howl,” is a modern prayer paired with the sarcasm of Ginsberg. It’s rhythm and repetition a reminiscent of a chaotic spiritual incantation rather than a work of poetry. If the first section presents a descriptive account of the despondent people and events of the 1950’s, the final movement bookends the set of poems as an instruction to save future generations from a further dismal existence. In the final two lines of the “Footnote”, Ginsberg sheds his cynicism,