Repetition within Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl”
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“Howl” by Allen Ginsberg recognizes those whose lives have been discriminated against due to their race, sexuality, or gender along with recognizing the different lives of artists and musicians. “I’m with you in Rockland where we wake up electrified out of the coma by our own souls’ airplanes roaring over the roof they’ve come to drop angelic bombs the hospital illuminates itself imaginary walls collapse…” (Ginsberg 70). The use of repetition within Ginsberg’s poem gives the reader a better understanding of the significant meaning behind the piece. The repetition of these words adds more emphasis to the phrases within “Howl” while also giving the audience a deeper perspective. For example, the repetition of the word “who” is used to acknowledge the different kinds of people that are surrounded in situations that may not be seen as basic or mainstream. “…who wandered around and around at midnight in the railroad yard wondering where to go, and went, leaving no broken hearts, who lit cigarettes in boxcars boxcars boxcars racketing through snow toward lonesome farms in grandfather night…” (Ginsberg 63). Therefore, the use of repetition throughout “Howl” writing by Allen Ginsberg is so significant because it adds emphasis and puts an important meaning behind the repeated word, causing it to stand out to the reader.
