One theme from Ginsberg’s Howl that I thought was most prevalent was how he handled madness and his explanation into how those who would be considered “insane” may not be all that crazy. For Ginsberg, the greatest minds weren’t in the politicians or activists, but the disenfranchised citizens of America. The world around them mistook their words for insanity rather than wisdom, and in the first section of his work, Ginsberg expresses his dismay and frustration that these people are being ignored for the sake of convenience. He mentions these people by saying, “Who wandered around and around at midnight in the railroad yard wondering where to go, and went, leaving no broken hearts,” and “Who burned cigarette holes in their arms protesting the narcotic tobacco haze of capitalism.” These people are doing something worth looking at and are trying to make their voices heard, but instead the world around them silences them, and that’s where Ginsberg displays his frustration.
Ginsberg’s repetition to me is the most profound technique that he perfects in his writing of Howl. When you read over the first section you almost get sick and tired of reading it, but by feeling that emotion we play right into what Ginsberg wants us to feel: frustration. He’s sick and tired of the lazy world around him, and by repeating himself and hammering the idea in our heads, he gets us to march to the beat of his drum as well. By starting every sentence with the word “who” followed by a person that has been slighted by the country, we join his team and get frustrated, not at Ginsberg, but at the world around him.
I agree with you on the whole repetition concept in Howl. I wrote about that same topic! I enjoyed your views and I completely agree on how repetition is way Ginsberg uses to make his poetry stronger and stand out more!
I’m glad you picked up on the rhythmic element of the repetition, and I like your idea that the repetition creates a kind of “we” – a feeling of solidarity with those being described.