Frank Skinner's Poetry Podcast
The Beat Poets
Apr 27, 2020
In this podcast, Frank Skinner celebrates the rebellious Beat Poets of the 1940s and 50s. He examines their unique language and affinity for jazz, discussing iconic figures like Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Gregory Corso, and Allen Ginsberg. Frank argues that even Jack Kerouac’s 'On the Road' is a poem. They also explore themes of creativity, evolution, and fighting against the mundane through the Beat Poets' intriguing works.
36:41
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Quick takeaways
- The Beat Poets revolutionized poetry in the 1940s and 50s by incorporating hipster language and jazz culture into religious-themed poetry, defying expectations and bringing a fresh and unconventional approach to the art.
- The Beats, such as Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, embraced fearless and unedited writing as a sacred act, inspiring others to challenge the fear of the blank page and embrace the freedom of expression in their work.
Deep dives
The Revolutionary Language of Lawrence Furlongetty's Poem
Lawrence Furlongetty's poem 'Sometime During Eternity' written in 1958, challenged the norm by incorporating hipster language and jazz culture into religious-themed poetry. The use of jazz language and the Beat Generation's style was revolutionary at the time, bringing a fresh and unconventional approach to poetry. The poem reflects the influence of the Beats, who believed in unedited, stream-of-consciousness writing and viewed poetry as a sacred form of expression. It defied expectations with its combination of religious themes and jazz-inspired language, making it a formative moment for those unfamiliar with this type of poetry.
