The Beat Generation : An Overview
Hear Allen Ginsberg read "The Howl" in three parts:
This is a clip (14'28. with English subtitle) from the movie The Howl (2010) wherein the poem "The Howl" is dramatized.
1. Definition & Historical Context
Time Period: Emerged in the 1950s in the U.S., peaking in the late 1950s–early 1960s
Cultural Rebellion: A reaction against 1950s conformity, materialism, and Cold War politics.
Influences: Jazz music, Eastern spirituality (Buddhism, Zen), and European avant-garde literature .
2. Key Characteristics
Spontaneity & Raw Expression
Rejected polished, academic writing in favor of stream-of-consciousness and improvisation (like jazz) .
Spiritual Exploration
Incorporated Buddhism, Taoism, and psychedelic experiences .
Rebellion Against Conformity
Celebrated bohemian lifestyles, sexual freedom, and anti-capitalist ideals .
Blurring High & Low Culture
Mixed classical references with street slang, comic strips, and pop culture .
3. Major Writers & Works
| Writer | Key Work | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Allen Ginsberg | Howl (1956) | A fiery critique of capitalism; free-verse masterpiece . |
| Jack Kerouac | On the Road (1957) | Semi-autobiographical novel celebrating wanderlust . |
| William S. Burroughs | Naked Lunch (1959) | Surreal, fragmented satire of society . |
| Gregory Corso | Gasoline (1958) | Poetry blending humor and existential angst . |
4. Literary Technique
Cut-up Method (Burroughs): Randomly rearranged text to disrupt linear narrative .
First-Person Confession (Ginsberg): Raw, emotional honesty .
Nonlinear Storytelling (Kerouac): Mimicked jazz rhythms .
