English 439: Modern World Poetry Slaughtering the Sacred Cows: An Analysis of Allen Ginsberg's "America" What Allen Ginsberg did in 1955 was unthinkable. In the midst of McCarthyism and severe anticommunist sentiment, he wrote a poem in which he admitted having belonged to the Communist party. Yet, even more surprising was that he didn't stop there. In his poem "America," Allen Ginsberg challenges the beliefs and values that the United States has always cherished, leaving no stone unturned, and no feather unruffled. Always the cynic and revolutionary, Ginsberg slaughters the sacred cows.It is evident from the very beginning that Ginsberg is disillusioned with American society, and he is ready to turn his back on what he feels has been oppressing him. "America I've given you all and now I'm nothing." (P-M 368) He goes on to explain that all he has left is pocket change, which is little consolation for the mind he has lost. It is from this point on that Ginsberg explores the resentment felt toward America, and why he can't succumb to the complacency that grips the rest of the population.One of the most blatant, and effective social commentaries lies in the line, "Go *censored* yourself with your atom bomb." (P-M 368) The Cold War raged as Ginsberg penned this work, and every facet of American culture reflected in some way the fear associated with nuclear destruction. The Military Industrial Complex (M.I.C.) built more bombs and bombers, while technology was birthed and antiquated month after month. America was moving at record speed toward what Ginsberg viewed as insanity. Tired of being pushed forward, he writes, "I don't feel good don't bother me. / I won't write my poem till I'm in my right mind." (P-M 368) He is dragging his feet, never wanting to give into America's "insane demands." (P-M 368) Also in this stanza, Ginsberg justifies how he lives, and how "(he's) trying to come to the point." (P-M 369) It is here that he a...
