How To Howl

As one of the most controversial poets in the history of 20th century American literature, Allen Ginsberg occupied a unique position as the bard of the "Beat Generation". His poetry can be regarded as the mirror reflecting the post-war American history, society, culture and life styles. This thesis only focuses on Ginsberg's poetics of "spontaneous writing"."First thought, best thought." This is the basic philosophy and essence of Ginsberg's poetics of spontaneous writing. Contrary to T.S. Eliot's "Impersonal" theory, Ginsberg insisted that a poet should put himself entirely into the poetry he is writing. Instead of avoiding the identity, a poet should combine himself with his works and openly express what he is thinking through what he is writing. He thought that a good poem should be the direct outburst of the poet's soul, without any kind of modification or hypocrisy. In order to achieve the state of spontaneity, Ginsberg sought inspirations through various means, He found examples in Blake Vision; he tried to shake off the control of consciousness through hallucinogen and other drugs; and he experienced the epiphany of ecstasy of universe and self in meditation. He received great influence from Whitman, Williams and Kerouac but he went further more.With the principle of "first thought, best thought",Ginsberg applied the dictum of "everything can he in the poetry" in composition. The third chapter cites examples of subject, syntax, structure, length of lines and choices of diction to prove the poet's everlasting pursuit and practice of his poetics.As a branch in art, poetry shares much in common with painting and music. Ginsberg tried to pursue the combination of different fields of art and draw inspiration from them. He turned to Cezanne's impressionist painting for "petite sensation" and got to familiarize himself with the altered senses in artistic creation. In music, especially in Blues and Jazz, he brought a new insight into rhythm and improved his spontaneous writing by means of "auto-poesy".The last chapter focuses on the poet's relationship with Walt Whitman and their shared goal of achieving "the sense of nativeness" in American poetry. As a poet of the United States and the world, Ginsberg has an unusual relationship with China and especially with some Chinese poets.