Allen Ginsberg’s Use of Popular Culture Hint at the Time Period of His Poetry
Before Ginsberg and the Beat Generation, many poets were afraid to use well-known symbols in their work, as to not pigeonhole it into one time period. Ginsberg, however, knew that the usage of these people, places, and things would ultimately connect with readers and make it enjoyable.
Before the poem even begins, the title boldly alerts the reader of the poem’s setting. “First Party at Ken Kesey’s With Hell’s Angels” is a very literal title. Author Ken Kesey was well known as a party-thrower and heavy drug-user during the ’60s. His San Francisco house would be overflowing with people and police would not hesitate to break up the soirees.
In the ’60s, Hell’s Angels were well known for their illicit lifestyle of much the same: alcohol, wildness, and constantly being on the road. The Angels were also well known for being friends with drug-induced rockers, The Grateful Dead.
It has been widely stated that Ginsberg was responsible for making peace between the San Francisco hippies and Hell’s Angels. At that time, Ginsberg was close with Kesey and had even participated in his acid tasting festivals.
Ginsberg perfectly captures the scene from line 1, his words quickly paced without pause. It is in lines 5 and 6 that he first makes mention of Hell’s Angels. “a few tired souls hunched over / in black leather jackets.” Instantly, a connection is made with the title.
Lines 8-10 build on the reference of the time period. “at 3 A.M. the blast of loudspeakers / hi-fi Rolling Stones Ray Charles Beatles /Jumping Joe Jackson.” By using the names of such popular artists, Ginsberg was able to instantly give readers the feeling that this was a party attended by young, crazy youths (hippies, perhaps) who rebelled from the rest of the American mentality at the time, and listened to rock ‘n’ roll. In 1965, rock ‘n’ roll was very controversial, especially at that point in The Beatles career, when they themselves were becoming actively involved in the drug and party scene.
The Rolling Stones were also extremely controversial for their sexual innuendo through lyrics and stage behavior. Ray Charles was a black rock figure, and that scared a lot of white people in the ’60s, especially when he was arrested for charges of heroin in 1965.
Ginsberg does not have to say “It is the 60s and there is loud rock music.” Instead, he fully captures the tone and thrill of the situation by mentioning a cluster of four artists who would send youths into a frenzy. At the time, rock music was considerably new and exciting, and it was finally being made cool by the very people Ginsberg observed at the party.
The mention of drugs in line 12 gives the reader some deeper insight. While it might be assumed that drugs are at this party, Ginsberg poetically conveys, “A little weed in the bathroom / girls in scarlet tights.” The “girls in scarlet tights,” as mentioned in line 13, signify the sexy way in which the females were dressed, also a rebellious act of the time.
Lines 13-15 continue to reference Hell’s Angels: “one muscular smooth skinned man / sweating dancing for hours, beer cans / bent littering the yard.” The image is instantly one of a man that would be involved with the Angels, and the beer cans add to the danger and party scene, where they are disposed of on the lawn without care.
The very last two lines of “First Party at Ken Kesey’s With Hell’s Angels” are two of the most significant in describing a Ken Kessy party and also the time period and its lack of tolerance for loud rock music and gatherings like the one Ginsberg described. “And 4 police cars parked outside the painted / gate, red lights revolving in the leaves,” he wrote, acknowledging the surprise ending of a good time at Ken Kesey’s, and of the poem. The police arrive and it can be inferred by the reader that the party is broken up.
What Ginsberg masterfully does in “First Party at Ken Kesey’s With Hell’s Angels” is show the reader what is going on, rather than explaining it. His detail of “cool black night thru redwoods” (line 1) and “a hanged man / sculpture dangling from a high creek branch” (lines 15 and 16) is simple detail used to set an elaborate scene and tone for the poem. The reader automatically gets a sense of the backwoods-type party that it is,, a secret hideaway for debauchery and fun in a time when it was looked down upon by society. The youth of the ’60s embraced the idea of freeness and having a good time, and it was also an idea upheld by Hell’s Angels.
Ginsberg’s poetry and ideals are still well-respected today, and having only died in 1997, he is considered a contemporary. Today, the references in “First Party at Ken Kesey’s With Hell’s Angels” are just as understandable as they were in 1965, if not moreso. Hell’s Angels are an even larger world-wide establishment now, and have gained a lot of publicity from the Altamont riot in which The Rolling Stones were playing at, as well as the 1966 book “Hell’s Angels,” written about their exploits by Hunter S. Thomson. Both events have helped the Angels maintain their credibility for being a tough and crazy crew.
Ginsberg’s unconventional rhythm and style for his poetry was what made him so explosive and exposed internationally. When even being associated with people like Hell’s Angels was looked down upon, Ginsberg did not hesitate to write about their get-togethers and make it public.
In using the recognizable group, as well as the mention of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Ray Charles and Jumpin Joe Jackson, Ginsberg was able to capture the setting and scene for the poem with the perfect description in simplistic detail and show-not-tell style.
