Summary Of Howl By Allen Ginsberg
Shocking! In More Ways Than One –
The Life and Times of Allen Ginsberg and His Fellow Beatniks.
Fredrick Salomon Perls said, “I am not in this world to live up to other people’s expectations, nor do I feel that the world must live up to mine.” That is a hard lesson to learn but thankfully we have past generations of the brave to guide our actions in the present. At the age of 29, Allen Ginsberg, accompanied by his fellow beatniks found them selves living amongst many who looked down upon their lifestyle choices and judged for just being whom they were. In “Howl,” Allen Ginsberg sought to voice his opinion about the oppressive institutionalization of the time period and rage against inhuman and atrocious acts upon the mentally ill.
The 1950’s were a time of consumerism. World War II had ended and people were eager to spend. They wanted to own the finer things that they had missed out on during the war when materials were stretched thin and things like televisions, vacuum cleaners and toasters were only something that they could wish for, not attain (The Rise, para. 1-3). On top of consumerism, there was capitalism. The wealthy were powerful. They ran the banks, the universities, the churches, and every …show more content…
Maybe you picture a hip cat snapping his fingers to an up beat and they words, “Yeah, man.” Allen Ginsberg and his gang were the epitome of non-conformist when it came to those institutions. Firstly, Ginsberg was a homosexual. In the early 1950’s it was not uncommon for homosexuals to be arrested however, as time passed, a movement began to make it’s way through America. People were standing up against what others thought was normal. They were out to change society and “the homophile movement of the 1950’s and 1960’s paralleled the civil rights movement” and later on is noted as what “become known as the modern gay rights movement. (Stewart, p. 11, para.
The Life and Times of Allen Ginsberg and His Fellow Beatniks.
Fredrick Salomon Perls said, “I am not in this world to live up to other people’s expectations, nor do I feel that the world must live up to mine.” That is a hard lesson to learn but thankfully we have past generations of the brave to guide our actions in the present. At the age of 29, Allen Ginsberg, accompanied by his fellow beatniks found them selves living amongst many who looked down upon their lifestyle choices and judged for just being whom they were. In “Howl,” Allen Ginsberg sought to voice his opinion about the oppressive institutionalization of the time period and rage against inhuman and atrocious acts upon the mentally ill.
The 1950’s were a time of consumerism. World War II had ended and people were eager to spend. They wanted to own the finer things that they had missed out on during the war when materials were stretched thin and things like televisions, vacuum cleaners and toasters were only something that they could wish for, not attain (The Rise, para. 1-3). On top of consumerism, there was capitalism. The wealthy were powerful. They ran the banks, the universities, the churches, and every …show more content…
Maybe you picture a hip cat snapping his fingers to an up beat and they words, “Yeah, man.” Allen Ginsberg and his gang were the epitome of non-conformist when it came to those institutions. Firstly, Ginsberg was a homosexual. In the early 1950’s it was not uncommon for homosexuals to be arrested however, as time passed, a movement began to make it’s way through America. People were standing up against what others thought was normal. They were out to change society and “the homophile movement of the 1950’s and 1960’s paralleled the civil rights movement” and later on is noted as what “become known as the modern gay rights movement. (Stewart, p. 11, para.