ENJOY 15 MINUTES OF SILENT READING…

BEATS AND THE LIMITS OF WRITING

An Exploration of Allen Ginsberg’s Poetry

Think WritePair

Share

• Consider the following question (this will be journal 1o in your notebook):

What is Ginsberg’s meaning / message in writing his poem? Do you believe he was

effective?

• After finishing your answer, find a person with the same shoes as yours to partner with, and discuss your answers with one another.

– Be prepared to share your thoughts with the class.

Objective: • To understand the meaning and message of Allen Ginsberg’s poetry

• To develop an understanding of what the implications are of his writing in the world

Key Concepts and Key Ideas…

In small groups:

• Read the selection together, highlighting key words or short phrases (same as you would for annotations)

• Take turns sharing and discussing highlighted items

• Identify new thinking and questions that emerged from the exchange; be prepared to share

Key Concepts and Key Ideas…

• Consider the following questions for your assigned part of the poem…

– What other references do you notice and recognize?

– What confuses you? (you are NOT allowed to say “everything”…that’s a cop out)

– Does it speak to you, or does it turn you off? Why?

– Does it remind you of any other poetry you have ever read? If so, what? If not, how is it different?

• You will chart your group’s findings and post them for the rest of the class to see

Now Watch This…

• While you watch, consider the animator’s interpretation of the poem, Howl.

• And now, consider the director’s understanding of both Ginsberg and his writing in the 2010 movie Howl

– How is Ginsberg depicted?

– How is his writing contextualized?

– Do these cinematic interpretations support your understanding of the writer and his work?

Mad Libs: Make It

your Own

• As the next assignment in your notebook, create your own version of the opening lines of Howl using the following as a suggestion for how to begin:

I saw the _____ of my generation _____ by _____, _____ _____ __________ themselves through the _____ looking for _____,_____ burning for _____ connection to the _____ in the _____,who _____ and _____ and _____ sat up _____ in the _____ darkness of _____ floating across the _____.