Wonderful lecture. I usually RU-vid Ginsberg's reading of "Howl" a couple times a year. But after watching this lecture, I now have a greater appreciation for the symbolism and the reason behind so many of the shocking language references the poet uses.
I always took that specific phrase to just be referring to them as "darkened streets", since it is placed in context of "the negro streets at dawn" and before the line referring to the "starry dynamo in the machinery of night" - I always took it as both a visual adjective and a metaphor setting the stage for a world at a point of change.
...(-_-)... since I'm writing this Twice I respect this person's idea that Howl somehow relates to some post ww2 oppressive ideology, however, I would more relate it to the fact that many vets from Korea and Vietnam returned from their service without all the praise and glorification that vets from WW2 enjoyed. Also post ww2 times seem to be about celebration and enjoyment of the fact that the war was over...Perhaps much like "A Shropshire Lad" the true value of Howl was not appreciated until long after its publicization.
i don't think it's so much about post-war temperaments as it's about a homogenous cultural attitude that emerged post-WWII; a kind of pre-packaged, consumerist lifestyle and set of ideals, sold through television sets newly occupying family rooms, while ppl sat down to their TV dinners; convenience, modernity, and homogeny were valued, and day-to-day life was void of individualism korea, but especially, viet nam, kicked beat culture into high gear (not ironically, in good part to those same TV sets), spawning the larger counter-culture movement that rejected the commercialism and conformity of post-WW think. it was the next logical populist expression/ideology of the beat generation, pushing against the same walls as ginsberg, with increased intensity
the "about" button lists "Todd James Pierce." I googled him. He is a professor, but younger than the lecturer. Maybe you can contact him to find out about the lecturer.
A very clear and accurate explanation of concepts sometimes difficult to grasp and not very often clearly exposed. I'd like to know the name of the lecturer, please. Thanks a lot, it has been very helpful.
Harris and Klebold were victims as well, you dont just take up one day and say "Hey, I'm going to go into my school, kill a shit load of people and die in the process."
Todd James Peirce wrote 'Columbine the Musical' wonderfully and reads with such ease. The short sotry leaves you with that relatable feeling of getting too into your character. I have to say that I am astounded that people were laughing at "all you jocks must die!" Yes, Harris and Klebold did say taht and people DID actually die. Where is the respect for any of the victims lost at Columbine? When did a massacre become a hilarious issue?
