Anti Industrialist Poem example essay topic

Allen Ginsburg Allen Ginsburg was what was know at the time as a beat poet. The beat period was a important period in the history of literature and society in America. Incorporating influences such as jazz, art, literature, philosophy, and religion, the Beat writers created a new and prophetic vision of modern life and changed the way an entire generation of people see the world. That generation is now aging and its representative voices are becoming lost, but the message is alive and well. The Beats have forever altered the nature of American way. The impact of this movement in the 1950's would never have been so long lasting and have made such an impact if not for one poet name Allen Ginsburg.

His greatest poem that made the most impact was called "Howl'. an excerpt of the poem: I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked, dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn looking for an angry fix, angel headed hipsters burning for the ancient heavenly connection to the starry dynamo in the machinery of night. These lines, perhaps the most well known in 20th century poetry, serve as a statement for a poem that offers a new way of thinking, a sense of hope of escape from the loneliness of society. The story of the poem's history serves well as an account of the birth of the Beat Generation. Ginsberg's life leading up to the writing of "Howl,' the actual creation of the poem, its legendary first reading, and the aftermath of its public debut all figure prominently into the history ofthe literary movement. One can understand the impact of the poem on theBe at Generation by studying not only the chronology of its past, but its intricate and unique structure as well as its themes and ultimate message. Following is an examination of the poem as the great expression of Beat defiance, beginning with a short history of the poem.

Ginsberg's Beat career began at Columbia University in 1943 where hemet Jack Kerouac, William S. Burroughs, Neal Cassidy and others. This group of writers would remain life-long friends of Ginsberg and influence him throughout. The history of "Howl,' however, begins in 1953 after Ginsberg's move to San Francisco in search of poetic inspiration. Having moved away from the camaraderie of his group of NewYork friends, Ginsberg began to feel dislocated and depressed. Ginsberg knew he was at a crossroads in his art between his apprenticeship to academic models of literature Ginsberg was also very much so anti-industrialist which he expresses in his poem "Supermarket'. In Ginsberg's view, industrialization has made people less social, A Supermarket in California is about this idea.

In this poem he says that in a Supermarket, even though one is surrounded with people, one is alone because they don't talk to anyone. He talks about how people go home to lonely cottages with cars in the driveways. He seems to be ridiculing the "American Dream,' saying that they have achieved that dream, but is it worth it to live in loneliness. Ginsberg also shows his anti-industrialism in Industrial Waves. In this poem he says says that while the individual's freedom is being taken away, big businesses continue to have freedom. He says this in his usual fashion, using a image not usually considered appropriate, "Freedom for Exxon to examine your pee!' In Who Runs America?

Ginsberg asserts that America is run by the oil industry. First he described the effects of oil on cities. He described the smog and smoke over cities and across the horizon. Next he talks about all the companies that use, and make products that use oil. Some examples of the companies that he says are General Motors, General Electric, IBM and Exxon. Ginsberg also points out the oil spills that are inevitable around oil tankers and oil rigs.

This is obviously an anti-industrialist poem, specifically taking a stand against the use of oil. Dear Mr. Ginsberg: I couldnt agree more with you on your anti-industrialist veins. They destroy the planet and everything around them in excersiseing their greed. They have no regard to others only to their pockets.

Youre writing style is also great and clear cut. 340.