In Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl”, the poem aims to expose the truth behind American culture, and the fantasy behind capitalistic society. Ginsberg highlights the destructive nature of American culture, and pays close attention to the suffering of those ostracized people who fail to meet the idealistic expectations. In a poem loaded with allusions to American culture, Ginsberg paints his picture. “Howl” captures the sentiments of citizens forborne from success, proving itself a revolutionary text through its depiction of the marginalized.
In the first line of Ginsberg’s poem, he addresses the issue he sees: “I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed” (1). Early on, he sets sight on a generation of people as he progresses to describe universal issues. He describes a people “who hiccupped endlessly trying to giggle but wound up with a sob behind a partition …show more content…
He makes reference to Carl Solomon and Rockland, a friend of his and the mental institution they are inmates in Ginsberg’s earlier life (Ferschtman). The most relevant line comes near the end, as the poem says, “I’m with you in Rockland where we hug and kiss the United States under our bedsheets the United States that coughs all night and won’t let us sleep” (Ginsberg 110). The United States is a lover of sorts in this case, where Ginsberg makes love to America, but finds that America keeps him up the rest of the night. They learn to hold their country on a pedestal, forever proud, but they become sleepless due to the constant pressure of the American dream.
Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl” is a piece that asserts its rebellion against the country it comes from. It paints a strong picture of life under capitalistic ideals, drawing attention to the flaws with American society in the mid-twentieth century. Ginsberg successfully demonstrates revolutionary literature, addressing his cause with both criticism and
In the first line of Ginsberg’s poem, he addresses the issue he sees: “I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed” (1). Early on, he sets sight on a generation of people as he progresses to describe universal issues. He describes a people “who hiccupped endlessly trying to giggle but wound up with a sob behind a partition …show more content…
He makes reference to Carl Solomon and Rockland, a friend of his and the mental institution they are inmates in Ginsberg’s earlier life (Ferschtman). The most relevant line comes near the end, as the poem says, “I’m with you in Rockland where we hug and kiss the United States under our bedsheets the United States that coughs all night and won’t let us sleep” (Ginsberg 110). The United States is a lover of sorts in this case, where Ginsberg makes love to America, but finds that America keeps him up the rest of the night. They learn to hold their country on a pedestal, forever proud, but they become sleepless due to the constant pressure of the American dream.
Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl” is a piece that asserts its rebellion against the country it comes from. It paints a strong picture of life under capitalistic ideals, drawing attention to the flaws with American society in the mid-twentieth century. Ginsberg successfully demonstrates revolutionary literature, addressing his cause with both criticism and