The Picture of the individual and of society in Allen Ginsberg's 'Howl' and the Beat Generation's impact on democracy in America

Nonfiction, Entertainment, Drama, Anthologies
Cover of the book The Picture of the individual and of society in Allen Ginsberg's 'Howl' and the Beat Generation's impact on democracy in America by Patrick Wedekind, GRIN Verlag
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Patrick Wedekind ISBN: 9783640198375
Publisher: GRIN Verlag Publication: October 28, 2008
Imprint: GRIN Verlag Language: English
Author: Patrick Wedekind
ISBN: 9783640198375
Publisher: GRIN Verlag
Publication: October 28, 2008
Imprint: GRIN Verlag
Language: English

Seminar paper from the year 2008 in the subject American Studies - Literature, grade: 1,3, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, course: Democratic Vistas in American Cultural History, 7 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: Allen Ginsberg's poem 'Howl', considered one of the most influential works of the Beat Generation, was published in 1956. At that time, American society was shaped by the Korean War, the Cold War, and of course McCarthyism, which was a result of the Cold War. These events led to a very conservative and intolerant society, and thus to the development of a counterculture, including the Beat Generation writers as well as other people protesting against this society. In 'Howl', Ginsberg focuses primarily on different individuals, and on society's impact on them. These individuals whom he calls 'the best minds of [his] generation' are people at the edges of society, for example drug addicts, homosexuals, and the mentally ill. Their life and suffering is intensively portrayed in part I of the poem, while part II is mainly dedicated to the 'Moloch' (Howl, 221), i.e. the society these people as well as Ginsberg live in. However, part II not only portrays the 'Moloch' but also describes its influence on the individuals Ginsberg mentions in part I. The third and last part of 'Howl' is dedicated to Ginsberg's friend Carl Solomon living in a mental institution. Due to this clear focus, 'Howl' is particularly useful to get an insight of the way the Beats used to see the individual, American society, and the connection between the two. That is why a detailed analysis of 'Howl' is very helpful to get a better understanding of the Beat Movement, and the way American society used to be in the 1950s and 1960s. Moreover, it is interesting how closely connected the Beat Generation was to the concept of democracy although it seemed to be a rather anarchistic movement rejecting all of society's values. Such democratic aspects within the movement can also be found in 'Howl'.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Seminar paper from the year 2008 in the subject American Studies - Literature, grade: 1,3, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, course: Democratic Vistas in American Cultural History, 7 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: Allen Ginsberg's poem 'Howl', considered one of the most influential works of the Beat Generation, was published in 1956. At that time, American society was shaped by the Korean War, the Cold War, and of course McCarthyism, which was a result of the Cold War. These events led to a very conservative and intolerant society, and thus to the development of a counterculture, including the Beat Generation writers as well as other people protesting against this society. In 'Howl', Ginsberg focuses primarily on different individuals, and on society's impact on them. These individuals whom he calls 'the best minds of [his] generation' are people at the edges of society, for example drug addicts, homosexuals, and the mentally ill. Their life and suffering is intensively portrayed in part I of the poem, while part II is mainly dedicated to the 'Moloch' (Howl, 221), i.e. the society these people as well as Ginsberg live in. However, part II not only portrays the 'Moloch' but also describes its influence on the individuals Ginsberg mentions in part I. The third and last part of 'Howl' is dedicated to Ginsberg's friend Carl Solomon living in a mental institution. Due to this clear focus, 'Howl' is particularly useful to get an insight of the way the Beats used to see the individual, American society, and the connection between the two. That is why a detailed analysis of 'Howl' is very helpful to get a better understanding of the Beat Movement, and the way American society used to be in the 1950s and 1960s. Moreover, it is interesting how closely connected the Beat Generation was to the concept of democracy although it seemed to be a rather anarchistic movement rejecting all of society's values. Such democratic aspects within the movement can also be found in 'Howl'.

More books from GRIN Verlag

Cover of the book Facebook. Ein (un)soziales Netzwerk by Patrick Wedekind
Cover of the book Comparison of Child Nutritional Status Between Positive Deviance/Hearth (PD/Hearth) Intervention and Non-Intervention Areas in Jeju District, Arsi Zone, Oromia Regional State by Patrick Wedekind
Cover of the book Kulturtourismus in der Tourismuswerbung - Translatorische Aspekte der Übersetzung von Prospekten am Beispiel der Stadt Pozna? by Patrick Wedekind
Cover of the book Neue Medien und Neurodidaktik by Patrick Wedekind
Cover of the book Aristoteles und der Staat by Patrick Wedekind
Cover of the book Wirtschaftspolitik in der Europäischen Wirtschafts- und Währungsunion by Patrick Wedekind
Cover of the book An Approach to Culture in Terms of Communication Sociology by Patrick Wedekind
Cover of the book Die Synthese von Prozess- und Produktorientierung in Dietrich Pukas Aufsatz `Argumentierendes Schreiben Lineare Problemerörterung´ von 1999 by Patrick Wedekind
Cover of the book Ideen und das Ende des Kalten Krieges by Patrick Wedekind
Cover of the book Burnout-Prophylaxe by Patrick Wedekind
Cover of the book Programmieren des Arduino Uno im Technologie-Unterricht by Patrick Wedekind
Cover of the book Die Finanzmärkte und der Euro by Patrick Wedekind
Cover of the book Rolle der Banken in Deutschland by Patrick Wedekind
Cover of the book Fördermöglichkeiten des heilpädagogischen Reitens mit Jugendlichen mit geistiger Behinderung by Patrick Wedekind
Cover of the book Kaiserin Wu Zetian ??? (624?-705, reg. 690-705) by Patrick Wedekind
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy