Analysis of Allen Ginsburg's Howl: Themes and Techniques

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Introduction
Howl was published in the year his 1956 collection by Allen Ginsburg. The poem that
he wrote about how his friend's destruction of their generation and how the theme of
materialism and the conformity was dominating at that particular time in the United States. It
was written as a special dedication to Carl Solomon (Jonah Raski 223). Allen reportedly
writes this poem in a coffee shop in California Berkeley. A series of events happen before he
decides to pen down Howl. In American literature and history, the poem Howl is considered
one of the most significant compositions ever made. Divided into three parts, the poem is
engaging. Through his poetry, the theme of oppression emerges. The opening line gives a
reader a tip of what kind of world we need to prepare ourselves to see” the best minds of my
generation destroyed by madness, starving....”
Discussions
Within the poem, several themes arise as well as techniques. Being divided into parts,
The tone used in verse is a sad and elegiac tone. A clear indication of a deep cry
hence the title, Howl. In America in an era where capitalism was dominating, and oppression
and subjugation were commonly practiced, the poem was the cry of the beat generation that
somehow was looking for a way to deliver themselves. The poem by Allen is set to seeking

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transcendent reality of the happenings in America social, economic and political life (Gomes
220).
Part one of the poem talks about the minds of his generations how the minds of young
people are being wasted. From the line; “cry that shivers the cities down to the last radio.” he
deems his work as giving voice to the voiceless, a part of a society that was silence and
deprived of their rights. From verse 1 to verse 76, he expresses his cry, and ideally, he
emphasizes on the need for “free speech for the emotional expression” A common phrase he
borrowed from Walt Whitman. Social, religious and sexual identity is the constant theme in
the first part. This even gets Allen to be criticized by other poets and literary writers on his
view upon describing the generation as devouring madness. In my opinion, Anaphora is a
technique Allen commonly used; it is the repetition of words, phrases, and lines. IN the first
part we see the use of the word “who” for emphasis.Part two of the poem, Symbolism seems
to be a constant theme. The word which is used in reference and a god Moloch is also used to
symbolize the American capitalism effect upon the children of the land. This even results in
devastating militia effects (Juha 53).
Part three of the poem, as mentioned earlier, writing howl happened after a series of
event. Allen Ginsberg’s life. The third part is a special dedication to Carl Solomon who is his
colleague and had met earlier, in 1949. His commitment is about a revolution, more of
cultural awareness. Allen had an experience as a gay man, and this gave him credit to write
about the blooming sexuality in the 1940s and 1950s an era where such sexual discoveries
were coming to light and people fighting for their rights. Allen Ginsberg and James Baldwin
being the activists who saw it wise through literary work of how they could revolutionize the
society; A Beat Generation that needs free thinking and to is freed from the societal
expectations and oppressions (Juha 53).