How the Beat generation has influenced modern day writers

By: Merissa Alyea Binti Omar Ariff

The Beat Generation were a group of young authors and poets from New York City who emerged into the American literary scene in the late 1950s founded by Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac and William S. Burroughs.

Members and followers of the Beat Generation were known as ‘Beatniks’ the term derived from the slang term “beat” which was popularised by one of the group’s founders, Kerouac.

The central themes of the Beat Generation centered around the rejection of standard narrative values, making spiritual pursuits, the exploration of Eastern religions, the rejection of economic materialism and capitalism as well as the experimentation of psychedelic drugs.

These themes that the Beatniks practiced openly and proudly were frowned upon by post-war American society in the 50s. The Beatniks often found themselves being a laughing-stock amongst the masses.

What made the Beat Generation so influential was their lack of regard to anything society labeled the group as. The group continued to practice their beliefs, publish their writings and roam around America proudly like the fearless hepcats they were.

One of the most influential novels written by the group's founding member Kerouac was ‘On The Road’. The novel is said to be the writer's most influential work published back in 1957.

The time frame of the book took place in post world-War II America when sensibility began to take over the general consciousness. Kerouac wrote the book in the context of millions of returning soldiers who had been exposed to the dogs of war, a vast change in circumstances than their American cornfields had ever prepared them for.

Additionally, these soldiers were also struggling to find meaning and make sense of their lives. ‘On The Road’ portrayed the side of American culture these soldiers barely knew existed through Kerouac’s writings that centered around the themes of anti-establishment, friendship, travel and love.

Imran Fadzi, a 24-year-old freelance writer said,“When I read ‘On The Road’ for the first time, I was truly impressed with Kerouac’s ability to create such a vivid reading experience. I did not know much about the harsh reality of post-World War II America, but this book gave me a relatively clear idea. This novel has also been the reason I started to experiment with spontaneous prose in my personal writing. A type of prose that I had never heard of before I read ‘On The Road.”.

Another influential novel written by a Beatnik, Ginsberg, is ‘Howl, Kaddish & Other Poems’ published in 1956. This collection of poems written by Ginsberg centered around the similar theme of ‘On The Road’ of those who had survived the war but were struggling to survive the aftermath.

The most influential poem from this collection is known as ‘Howl’ that blew open endless possibilities for the 50’s American poetry scene. ‘Howl’ encouraged freedom with language as well as taught poets across America the importance of self-acceptance and the importance of creating new senses of relationships with each other and the new post-war world. The poem additionally represented the movement of the Beat generation as it openly discussed themes of rejection of authority and censorship, rejection of the military-industrial complex as well as freedom to engage in drug use.

“I have always found myself being insecure about showing others my poetry. I fear that they may not understand the topics I write about or the point that I am trying to make through my writing. I have always felt insecure of being judged for my opinions. After reading ‘Howl, Kaddish & Other Poems’ I have learnt to become more confident with my stands in my writing,” said Imran.

He added that the style of writing Ginsberg uses to portray his opinions and thoughts with confidence is a skill that he truly admires, and has helped him gain more confidence as a writer.

Image 1: Members of the Beat Generation outside City Lights Bookstore In San Francisco. Source