What made Allen Ginsberg such a popular poet?

Question

When I read his poetry, it just doesn't feel to me like true poetry. Some sounds like rants. I really do want to appreciate his work, can anyone give me more info on what his "cause" was, what a lot of his poetry is about? Or just more about the guy in general?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Allen Ginsberg is the reason I picked up the pen and began writing. Honestly? He stretched the concept of what poetry is and redefined what it's supposed to be. Not that Beat poetry is the new 'Sonnet,' but that it had its impact, and continues to do so.

I agree with the first answerer. Read his biography "I Celebrate Myself." It will really give you a grasp of how he came to his methods of poetry.

Answer 2

I would read "I Celebrate Myself: The Somewhat Private Life of Allen Ginsberg." It is a very informative bio and will give you a lot of background info on him.

Answer 3

The poem "Howl" is one of the most important, if not the most important, American poem of the last century.

What of it doesn't seem true? His poetry is so full of 'truth', it had to be put on trial for charges of obscenity.

Answer 4

Take away "Howl" and you would never have heard of him.

If you can read Howl and not be moved, then the sixties really are dead.

I hate Ginsberg and even I can't argue with "Howl".