Howl
In the post-World War II years, a cultural and literary movement began. A new generation of American writers, artists and thinkers reacted and expressed their ideas in obscene forms. They were called “The Beats” who were formed in the 1950’s by poets Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac. Howl by Allen Ginsberg illustrates America’s post-World War II culture and political issues through his journey and views. The use of metaphors, tone, and descriptive language draw parallels between the ideas of, conformity to institutions, sexual repression, and religion.
According to the Dictionary of Literary Biography, Allen’s Ginsberg was a popular poet after World War II. He was born in Newark, New Jersey in 1926. Ginsberg attended college at Columbia …show more content…
He starts off saying, “Moloch” who is an ancient Hebrew God that sacrificed children (Encyclopedia Britannica). Ginsberg writes, “Moloch whose mind is pure machinery! Moloch whose fingers are ten armies! Moloch whose breast is a cannibal dynamo! Moloch whose ear is a smoking tomb! (Part II, line 5). He uses Moloch as a representation of government institutions who resemble a ruthless God. He uses the word “machinery” as a metaphor to institutions because he considers institutions heartless and the cause of destroyed minds in society. Another metaphor he uses is, “Moloch whose fingers are ten armies.” This is another representation of how influential and strong the American government is. Another use of metaphor Ginsberg uses is, “Moloch the incomprehensible prison! Moloch the crossbone soulless jailhouse and congress of sorrows! Moloch whose buildings are judgment! Moloch the vast stone of war! Moloch the stunned governments!” (Part II, line 4). This is another association to the institutions controlling society and the reason for him not being able to do what he wants. Through Ginsberg’s use of metaphors, he allows readers to see how destructive the institutions are and how they do not care for