Forum: Reflections on lecture and initial reading of “Howl”

Directions:

1) In your POST: Present something you learned or thought was interesting OR something you have a question about.

2) REPLY to at least TWO (2) other students.

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/49303/howl

reply#1

I am quite familiar with Allen Ginsberg who is considered one of the leaders of the Beat Generation. In reading the poem, I understand why many critics would consider this poem as “obscene” to the point that a trial was needed to examine its quality and future publication. One thing I learned in reading the poem is that one cannot understand it in just one reading. It is one of those poems that need to be read many times before truly grasping the idea of what the author and speaker of the poem are trying to say. And every interaction with the poem is worth it because each time you read it, you learn something new.

For instance, the poem is very long, and anyone who is not into poetry will really find it difficult to understand. One trick I learned is to read it out loud because there is a kind of rhythm to it once you do so. Part I repeatedly begins with “who…,” which clearly describes different groups of people. Part II also begins with a specific phrase, “Moloch” who could be understood as the enemy because of certain lines in the stanza. It was later on that I realized what Ginsberg means in describing Moloch. It very well refers to capitalism and money – forces that dictate everything in society, from economy to culture to politics. Finally, the third part directly addresses Carl Solomon, and each line begins with “I’m with you in Rockland,” which we now know is a mental asylum where they met and spent some time together. With these phrases repeated in each stanza, I easily adapted to the rhythm, and it also explains partly why this poem has been a crucial part of the Beat Generation.

reply#2

I didn’t understand what’s the meaning of “Howl” before reading this long poem, and it looks difficult for me to understand. Then, I tried to find out the historical background of this poem, and everything became clear in my mind. In this poem, Allen Ginsberg uses a lot of astonishing words to express what is the “Beat generation”. At the first part of this poem, Ginsberg shows that the ruin of the mind of his generation. Their generation is suffering lots of problems from life. For example, they are destitute and troubled. The only thing for them is to wait for death. During that generation, people were lacking the basis of life, and they don’t have goal, motivation, and power to change their life condition. In the second part, the writer further criticizes the oppression of the existing institution. Ginsberg ironically questions that “What sphinx of cement and aluminum bashed open their skulls and ate up their brains and imagination?”. The oppression of existing institution, including government, bank, factory, and technology, swallowed up the last slim chance of survival. At the last part of the poem, the writer shows us the light of life. He found out the possibility to develop a new life. He gave more encouragement for the group of people who were destroyed by reality and pointed out the way to save them.

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