Forum: Reflections on lecture and initial reading of "Howl"

Forum note: This is a class-wide discussion. There are no groups and all discussions are visible.

Directions:

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

2) REPLY to at TWO other students.

Here are two post of other students:

A)Actually, this is my first time to read this poem, and I’m not familiar with the author. Besides, there are a lot of pronouns in the poem which I can not guess the exact meaning. But after I searched some background information about this poem, I can better understand the meaning behind these recondite words. This poem was published in 1956, during the time of the Beat Generation, when there a sentimental group of self-exploration and defining identity, characterized by an interest in Eastern religion, drug use, and the arts. Therefore, I think the writer Ginsberg, as a member of this group must focus on conveying some feelings and venting some emotions at that time. One interesting part I think in the poem is that the subject in each section is different, and each part has a different tone. In this connection, I wonder the relationship of one section to another and what the exact emotion that the writer really wants to deliver to the readers.

B)When I initially read the poem, the tone of voice I heard felt confused, dark, and disconnected. Almost anxiety-inducing because it felt like nonsensical rambling — like a language I was not fluent in, or like a never-ending fall. After listening to Allen Ginsberg read the poem aloud, and hearing the audience's reaction to it, I felt the humanity and could envision the vivid imagery. Some of the language and descriptors feel dark, because they are portraying dark scenarios and situations. I found the flow of Allen Ginsberg's reading to give life to the poem. His voice continuously bobbed upwards with inflection, became animated when appropriate, applied emphasis and repetition on certain words meant to incite feeling. Howl is a very intense poem.