Lit | Literature homework help

HowlGroupworkonThemes.docx

Group 1 Members:___________________________________________________________________

ENG 232

USE GROUP ONE

Group Work on Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl”: You will be graded for this as a group.

Major Theme 1: Madness

Directions: Ginsberg's poem "Howl" claims that the "best minds" are driven insane by their inability to accept the models of normality and conformity imposed on them by modern life, and their inability to escape these same strictures.

As a group, locate 3 examples of madness in the poem, write them down on this sheet of paper, citing line numbers, and examine how Ginsberg applies his philosophy of madness for each quoted passage.

Group 2 Members:___________________________________________________________________

ENG 232

Group Work on Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl”: You will be graded for this as a group.

Major Theme 2: Commodification

Directions: Ginsberg saw the economic commodification of society as one of the great ills of modern life. Commodification is to take something which has an intrinsic value, or some form of value differing from the monetary, and attach monetary value to it and place it in a market.

As a group, locate 3 examples of commodification, when people and items are treated as commodities, in the poem, write them down on this sheet of paper, citing line numbers, and examine how Ginsberg applies his philosophy of commodification for each quoted passage.

Group 3 Members:___________________________________________________________________

ENG 232

Group Work on Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl”: You will be graded for this as a group.

Major Theme 3: The Holy Bum

Directions: Ginsberg's poem "Howl" uses the symbol of the holy bum throughout his work. The holy bum has had everything that is valuable to him taken away by modern society, such as freedom, liberty, or the ability to express oneself artistically or sexually. Once he has everything taken away from him, he is freed to follow a purer path towards enlightened art and "kindness of the soul." This makes him holy, resembling a religious saint.

As a group, locate 3 examples of the holy bum in the poem, write them down on this sheet of paper, citing line numbers, and examine how Ginsberg applies this symbol to his work for each quoted passage.

Group 4 Members:___________________________________________________________________

ENG 232

Group Work on Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl”: You will be graded for this as a group.

Major Theme 4: Industrialized World v. Natural World

Directions: In Part II of "Howl," Ginsberg denounces the industrialized world that destroys nature and ultimately destroys the soul of humankind. He attempted to denounce in his poetry the acts of humanity that sought to circumvent and tame nature. For example, the atom bomb is one example Ginsberg uses in several of his poems, including "Howl" and "America."

As a group, locate 3 examples of this tension in the poem, write them down on this sheet of paper, citing line numbers, and examine how Ginsberg applies his philosophy for each quoted passage.

Group 5 Members:___________________________________________________________________

ENG 232

Group Work on Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl” :You will be graded for this as a group.

Major Theme 5: Moloch

Directions: Moloch represents the modern institutions of finance, war, industry, and government that have conspired to destroy all good for the sake of profit. Ginsberg's Moloch, like the ancient middle eastern god, is a creature of sacrifice. Moloch asks all individuals to sacrifice their souls, their freedom, and even their lives for false patriotism and devotion and a false set of values.

As a group, locate 3 examples of Ginsberg’s use of Moloch in his poem, write them down on this sheet of paper, citing line numbers, and examine how Ginsberg applies his philosophy of Moloch to each quoted passage.

Group 6 Members:___________________________________________________________________

ENG 232

Group Work on Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl”: You will be graded for this as a group.

Major Theme 6: The Prophetic Tradition

Directions: Ginsberg called on America to repent for its reliance on greed and industry, its propensity for war and political witch hunts, and its inherent hate for those who fell outside of the white middle-class mainstream. Like a prophet himself, Ginsberg is the wild and untamed visionary calling down destruction on a world that has rejected hope and love.

As a group, locate 3 examples of Ginsberg’s use of the prophetic tradition, write them down on this sheet of paper, citing line numbers, and examine how Ginsberg applies his philosophy of the poet as prophet to each quoted passage.

Group 7 Members:___________________________________________________________________

ENG 232

Group Work on Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl”: You will be graded for this as a group.

Major Theme 7: Hypocrisy of Modern Society

Directions: Romantic poetry often denounced the modern world's ability to create a more perfect society through enlightened thought and technology, and Ginsberg's work extends this tradition, positing a false sense of "progress" as indicative of society's hypocrisy. Ginsberg aimed much of this criticism specifically toward his own country, the United States. The US claimed to be the most dominant and progressive society on the face of the earth in the aftermath of World War II. Yet, when Ginsberg looked at his country he saw nothing but injustice in the most dominant institutions. Government sought only to advance its own militaristic conquests, leaving some of its people literally starving and impoverished. Universities rejected anyone who did not support the dominant interpretations of culture or art. The media glorified celebrity and encouraged shallowness at the expense of serious problems. All of this represented a country's misaligned values and, for Ginsberg, a flagrant display of hypocrisy.

As a group, locate 3 examples of Ginsberg’s reference to this hypocrisy, write them down on this sheet of paper, citing line numbers, and examine how Ginsberg applies his philosophy of the poet as prophet to each quoted passage.

CreativeAssignmentonAllenGinsberg.docx

Creative Assignment on Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl”

Directions: Using Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl,” I want you to use the first few lines of his poem to express the ideas you have collected about your own generation. Ginsberg’s piece celebrates the unwanted and rejected creatives of his own generation, poets he knew and watched self-destruct from drugs and sex and self-denial, because society imposed itself on them in ways that demanded self-erasure. Who are the unwanted people of your generation? What is beautiful about the ways in which they express their own individuality? How do they rebel against society and its oppressive institutions? What are they fighting for, and how is this fight portrayed? What role do you play in your generation, this fight?

Appropriate the following starter line from “Howl,” and then continue in your own words and images but remain faithful to the structure of Ginsberg’s original lines and tone.

Here’s the first section of his poem:

“I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked,

dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn looking for an angry fix”

This is your line; fill in the blanks in this section, according to your own understanding of your generation, and continue the poem:

I saw the best minds of my generation __________ by ____________, starving ________ _________,

dragging themselves through the ________ __________ at dawn looking for ____________,

Submit this as a document and video link. Recite it for us.

HowlGroupworkonThemes.docx

Group 1 Members:___________________________________________________________________

ENG 232

USE GROUP ONE

Group Work on Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl”: You will be graded for this as a group.

Major Theme 1: Madness

Directions: Ginsberg's poem "Howl" claims that the "best minds" are driven insane by their inability to accept the models of normality and conformity imposed on them by modern life, and their inability to escape these same strictures.

As a group, locate 3 examples of madness in the poem, write them down on this sheet of paper, citing line numbers, and examine how Ginsberg applies his philosophy of madness for each quoted passage.

Group 2 Members:___________________________________________________________________

ENG 232

Group Work on Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl”: You will be graded for this as a group.

Major Theme 2: Commodification

Directions: Ginsberg saw the economic commodification of society as one of the great ills of modern life. Commodification is to take something which has an intrinsic value, or some form of value differing from the monetary, and attach monetary value to it and place it in a market.

As a group, locate 3 examples of commodification, when people and items are treated as commodities, in the poem, write them down on this sheet of paper, citing line numbers, and examine how Ginsberg applies his philosophy of commodification for each quoted passage.

Group 3 Members:___________________________________________________________________

ENG 232

Group Work on Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl”: You will be graded for this as a group.

Major Theme 3: The Holy Bum

Directions: Ginsberg's poem "Howl" uses the symbol of the holy bum throughout his work. The holy bum has had everything that is valuable to him taken away by modern society, such as freedom, liberty, or the ability to express oneself artistically or sexually. Once he has everything taken away from him, he is freed to follow a purer path towards enlightened art and "kindness of the soul." This makes him holy, resembling a religious saint.

As a group, locate 3 examples of the holy bum in the poem, write them down on this sheet of paper, citing line numbers, and examine how Ginsberg applies this symbol to his work for each quoted passage.

Group 4 Members:___________________________________________________________________

ENG 232

Group Work on Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl”: You will be graded for this as a group.

Major Theme 4: Industrialized World v. Natural World

Directions: In Part II of "Howl," Ginsberg denounces the industrialized world that destroys nature and ultimately destroys the soul of humankind. He attempted to denounce in his poetry the acts of humanity that sought to circumvent and tame nature. For example, the atom bomb is one example Ginsberg uses in several of his poems, including "Howl" and "America."

As a group, locate 3 examples of this tension in the poem, write them down on this sheet of paper, citing line numbers, and examine how Ginsberg applies his philosophy for each quoted passage.

Group 5 Members:___________________________________________________________________

ENG 232

Group Work on Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl” :You will be graded for this as a group.

Major Theme 5: Moloch

Directions: Moloch represents the modern institutions of finance, war, industry, and government that have conspired to destroy all good for the sake of profit. Ginsberg's Moloch, like the ancient middle eastern god, is a creature of sacrifice. Moloch asks all individuals to sacrifice their souls, their freedom, and even their lives for false patriotism and devotion and a false set of values.

As a group, locate 3 examples of Ginsberg’s use of Moloch in his poem, write them down on this sheet of paper, citing line numbers, and examine how Ginsberg applies his philosophy of Moloch to each quoted passage.

Group 6 Members:___________________________________________________________________

ENG 232

Group Work on Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl”: You will be graded for this as a group.

Major Theme 6: The Prophetic Tradition

Directions: Ginsberg called on America to repent for its reliance on greed and industry, its propensity for war and political witch hunts, and its inherent hate for those who fell outside of the white middle-class mainstream. Like a prophet himself, Ginsberg is the wild and untamed visionary calling down destruction on a world that has rejected hope and love.

As a group, locate 3 examples of Ginsberg’s use of the prophetic tradition, write them down on this sheet of paper, citing line numbers, and examine how Ginsberg applies his philosophy of the poet as prophet to each quoted passage.

Group 7 Members:___________________________________________________________________

ENG 232

Group Work on Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl”: You will be graded for this as a group.

Major Theme 7: Hypocrisy of Modern Society

Directions: Romantic poetry often denounced the modern world's ability to create a more perfect society through enlightened thought and technology, and Ginsberg's work extends this tradition, positing a false sense of "progress" as indicative of society's hypocrisy. Ginsberg aimed much of this criticism specifically toward his own country, the United States. The US claimed to be the most dominant and progressive society on the face of the earth in the aftermath of World War II. Yet, when Ginsberg looked at his country he saw nothing but injustice in the most dominant institutions. Government sought only to advance its own militaristic conquests, leaving some of its people literally starving and impoverished. Universities rejected anyone who did not support the dominant interpretations of culture or art. The media glorified celebrity and encouraged shallowness at the expense of serious problems. All of this represented a country's misaligned values and, for Ginsberg, a flagrant display of hypocrisy.

As a group, locate 3 examples of Ginsberg’s reference to this hypocrisy, write them down on this sheet of paper, citing line numbers, and examine how Ginsberg applies his philosophy of the poet as prophet to each quoted passage.

CreativeAssignmentonAllenGinsberg.docx

Creative Assignment on Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl”

Directions: Using Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl,” I want you to use the first few lines of his poem to express the ideas you have collected about your own generation. Ginsberg’s piece celebrates the unwanted and rejected creatives of his own generation, poets he knew and watched self-destruct from drugs and sex and self-denial, because society imposed itself on them in ways that demanded self-erasure. Who are the unwanted people of your generation? What is beautiful about the ways in which they express their own individuality? How do they rebel against society and its oppressive institutions? What are they fighting for, and how is this fight portrayed? What role do you play in your generation, this fight?

Appropriate the following starter line from “Howl,” and then continue in your own words and images but remain faithful to the structure of Ginsberg’s original lines and tone.

Here’s the first section of his poem:

“I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked,

dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn looking for an angry fix”

This is your line; fill in the blanks in this section, according to your own understanding of your generation, and continue the poem:

I saw the best minds of my generation __________ by ____________, starving ________ _________,

dragging themselves through the ________ __________ at dawn looking for ____________,

Submit this as a document and video link. Recite it for us.

HowlGroupworkonThemes.docx

Group 1 Members:___________________________________________________________________

ENG 232

USE GROUP ONE

Group Work on Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl”: You will be graded for this as a group.

Major Theme 1: Madness

Directions: Ginsberg's poem "Howl" claims that the "best minds" are driven insane by their inability to accept the models of normality and conformity imposed on them by modern life, and their inability to escape these same strictures.

As a group, locate 3 examples of madness in the poem, write them down on this sheet of paper, citing line numbers, and examine how Ginsberg applies his philosophy of madness for each quoted passage.

Group 2 Members:___________________________________________________________________

ENG 232

Group Work on Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl”: You will be graded for this as a group.

Major Theme 2: Commodification

Directions: Ginsberg saw the economic commodification of society as one of the great ills of modern life. Commodification is to take something which has an intrinsic value, or some form of value differing from the monetary, and attach monetary value to it and place it in a market.

As a group, locate 3 examples of commodification, when people and items are treated as commodities, in the poem, write them down on this sheet of paper, citing line numbers, and examine how Ginsberg applies his philosophy of commodification for each quoted passage.

Group 3 Members:___________________________________________________________________

ENG 232

Group Work on Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl”: You will be graded for this as a group.

Major Theme 3: The Holy Bum

Directions: Ginsberg's poem "Howl" uses the symbol of the holy bum throughout his work. The holy bum has had everything that is valuable to him taken away by modern society, such as freedom, liberty, or the ability to express oneself artistically or sexually. Once he has everything taken away from him, he is freed to follow a purer path towards enlightened art and "kindness of the soul." This makes him holy, resembling a religious saint.

As a group, locate 3 examples of the holy bum in the poem, write them down on this sheet of paper, citing line numbers, and examine how Ginsberg applies this symbol to his work for each quoted passage.

Group 4 Members:___________________________________________________________________

ENG 232

Group Work on Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl”: You will be graded for this as a group.

Major Theme 4: Industrialized World v. Natural World

Directions: In Part II of "Howl," Ginsberg denounces the industrialized world that destroys nature and ultimately destroys the soul of humankind. He attempted to denounce in his poetry the acts of humanity that sought to circumvent and tame nature. For example, the atom bomb is one example Ginsberg uses in several of his poems, including "Howl" and "America."

As a group, locate 3 examples of this tension in the poem, write them down on this sheet of paper, citing line numbers, and examine how Ginsberg applies his philosophy for each quoted passage.

Group 5 Members:___________________________________________________________________

ENG 232

Group Work on Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl” :You will be graded for this as a group.

Major Theme 5: Moloch

Directions: Moloch represents the modern institutions of finance, war, industry, and government that have conspired to destroy all good for the sake of profit. Ginsberg's Moloch, like the ancient middle eastern god, is a creature of sacrifice. Moloch asks all individuals to sacrifice their souls, their freedom, and even their lives for false patriotism and devotion and a false set of values.

As a group, locate 3 examples of Ginsberg’s use of Moloch in his poem, write them down on this sheet of paper, citing line numbers, and examine how Ginsberg applies his philosophy of Moloch to each quoted passage.

Group 6 Members:___________________________________________________________________

ENG 232

Group Work on Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl”: You will be graded for this as a group.

Major Theme 6: The Prophetic Tradition

Directions: Ginsberg called on America to repent for its reliance on greed and industry, its propensity for war and political witch hunts, and its inherent hate for those who fell outside of the white middle-class mainstream. Like a prophet himself, Ginsberg is the wild and untamed visionary calling down destruction on a world that has rejected hope and love.

As a group, locate 3 examples of Ginsberg’s use of the prophetic tradition, write them down on this sheet of paper, citing line numbers, and examine how Ginsberg applies his philosophy of the poet as prophet to each quoted passage.

Group 7 Members:___________________________________________________________________

ENG 232

Group Work on Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl”: You will be graded for this as a group.

Major Theme 7: Hypocrisy of Modern Society

Directions: Romantic poetry often denounced the modern world's ability to create a more perfect society through enlightened thought and technology, and Ginsberg's work extends this tradition, positing a false sense of "progress" as indicative of society's hypocrisy. Ginsberg aimed much of this criticism specifically toward his own country, the United States. The US claimed to be the most dominant and progressive society on the face of the earth in the aftermath of World War II. Yet, when Ginsberg looked at his country he saw nothing but injustice in the most dominant institutions. Government sought only to advance its own militaristic conquests, leaving some of its people literally starving and impoverished. Universities rejected anyone who did not support the dominant interpretations of culture or art. The media glorified celebrity and encouraged shallowness at the expense of serious problems. All of this represented a country's misaligned values and, for Ginsberg, a flagrant display of hypocrisy.

As a group, locate 3 examples of Ginsberg’s reference to this hypocrisy, write them down on this sheet of paper, citing line numbers, and examine how Ginsberg applies his philosophy of the poet as prophet to each quoted passage.