Abstract
Lawrence Ferlinghetti, owner of the famed City Lights Bookstore, is not only considered as the premiere publisher of Beat literature, but he is also an accomplished Beat writer himself. This project will explore the fact that Ferlinghetti’s works mirror themes and stylistic nuances typical of the literature of the Beat Generation. These include: Eastern religious influences, a modernist American perspective, creatively unique poetic alignment, elements of jazz composition and drug experimentation that Beatniks are notorious for, and lastly, methodology that is visibly a legacy of Walt Whitman – for instance, cataloging, eclectic internal rhyme, and a like-minded, all-encompassing moral consciousness. Such Beat-like literary qualities are illustrated by a close analysis of Ferlinghetti’s poems, such as “Baseball Canto,” “Ladakh Buddhess Biker,” and “A River Still to Be Found.” Like other Beat poems, these are earnest attempts to mythologize modern America. This project will culminate with a short analysis of Ferlinghetti’s “Work-in-Progress,” which memorializes his fellow Beatnik compadres by poetically mythologizing them. This project compares the City Lights publisher’s works with those of more wellknown Beatniks to verify that while Lawrence Ferlinghetti published some of the most recognized Beat works, he also wrote some illustrious Beat poetry of his own.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Lynn Wolf
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-12-2013 1:00 PM
End Date
4-12-2013 5:30 PM
Ferling,' the Brightest City Light
Alvin Sherman Library
Lawrence Ferlinghetti, owner of the famed City Lights Bookstore, is not only considered as the premiere publisher of Beat literature, but he is also an accomplished Beat writer himself. This project will explore the fact that Ferlinghetti’s works mirror themes and stylistic nuances typical of the literature of the Beat Generation. These include: Eastern religious influences, a modernist American perspective, creatively unique poetic alignment, elements of jazz composition and drug experimentation that Beatniks are notorious for, and lastly, methodology that is visibly a legacy of Walt Whitman – for instance, cataloging, eclectic internal rhyme, and a like-minded, all-encompassing moral consciousness. Such Beat-like literary qualities are illustrated by a close analysis of Ferlinghetti’s poems, such as “Baseball Canto,” “Ladakh Buddhess Biker,” and “A River Still to Be Found.” Like other Beat poems, these are earnest attempts to mythologize modern America. This project will culminate with a short analysis of Ferlinghetti’s “Work-in-Progress,” which memorializes his fellow Beatnik compadres by poetically mythologizing them. This project compares the City Lights publisher’s works with those of more wellknown Beatniks to verify that while Lawrence Ferlinghetti published some of the most recognized Beat works, he also wrote some illustrious Beat poetry of his own.
