Allen Ginsberg addresses some of the most urgent issues existing in contemporary society. The poem “Howl” was written in the middle of the 20th century, but people have not come up with effective solutions to eliminate drugs, crime, and violence so far. The poet reveals the darkest side of the world of consumers. His work is also an illustration of post-modernism ideas on combining reality and fiction, new forms, and multiculturalism.
The poem is appealing and potent. This is achieved with the help of the form of the work. Combination of the depiction of reality and fiction is remarkable. Thus, the poets question on the role of the “sphinx of cement and aluminum” in the life of people makes people think of numerous issues (Ginsberg, 2014, n.p.). I also started thinking about the way the city affects people in general and myself, in particular. I now understand that people are becoming more distant from each other and lost in search of the answers to the ‘sphinx’s’ questions.
Nonetheless, I think the poet exaggerates the wrongs of the society or rather shows all of them in a limited space of the city. I do not agree with the author, who says that “the best minds” of his “generation” were “destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked” (Ginsberg, 2014, n.p.). On the contrary, I believe that some people are lost and become hysterical and mad, but lots of people find their ways to live and love, create, and help others.
Reference List
Ginsberg, A. (2014). Howl. Web.