Allan Ginsberg brings up many interesting thoughts in his poem. He discusses how he believes the mentally insane are just misunderstood geniuses. This could relate to his time spent in the Columbia Presbyterian Psychiatric Hospital. This is where he met Carl Soloman, the man of whom the poem is dedicated to. Ginsberg's opinion on the mentally insane argues that hallucinations and visions are signs of divine connections. So if Ginsberg describes the insane as geniuses, what does he believe madness truly is? I think Ginsberg is describing our culture as the true madmen. Political leaders, government groups, and the people in our society who's voice makes a difference in our culture are the ones who need to step back and admit their insanity. I believe Ginsberg is raising discussion on how the lower class of society is being stepped on by people who believe their thoughts and opinions are the only ideas allowed to hold power. Ginsberg talks about drug users, drop-outs, and bums being some of the greatest minds of this generation. He describes how our society is filled with open minds and intellectual thoughts and ideas that are censored and restricted to being heard. As a result, the "greatest minds" have been affected by what he defines as madness. We are being affected by the higher power. Ginsberg is telling us in his poem that we need to speak our minds and let our voices be heard so that we can make the difference that we want instead of allowing the restrictions of our opinions to control our way of life. He also talks about how society has a "norm" and a standard of how people should live their lives. He explains that when a person is stepping out of what is considered acceptable in our culture, they are rejected and criticized. I believe that this is because the standard has been set up for us by the people of higher power who censor our beliefs and opinions. What Allan Ginsberg describes in his poem is what he believes madness truly is.
Questions for consideration:
-What do you believe madness is, and how does it affect society?
-Why does Ginsberg think the bums and drop-outs are the greatest minds of the generation?
-What can the reader infer about the poem regarding Ginsberg's attack on the 'norm' of society?
This brings up an interesting point. Like the saying goes insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different resultBy comparison the government officials and men in charge perpetuate this idea by repeating the same attitudes without changing the status quo.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jeremy and Grace. This point is interesting because it makes you think about who really are the sane and insane. Madness could be describes in various ways but Ginsberg is getting at how society would describe madness as anybody who deviates from the normal path. To Ginsberg being mad reinforces the idea of self and individuality. When you look at the definition of insanity its doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome, It kind of sounds like the american dream, or the norm of what society wants. Everyone wants the same thing but expects a different outcome. Ginsberg celebrates those who decide their own fate and walk their own path because the given path is what he believes to be insane.
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