Hip Glossary – Howl

Howl: Allen Ginsberg’s controversial book of poetry that was declared obscene and banned. Ginsberg won the court case, a landmark for free speech. Ginsberg pioneered a new style of writing and artfully expressed his innermost rage at society’s shortcomings. Ginsberg’s dramtic reading of this work at coffeehouses in the 50s and 60s enthralled those “angelheaded hipsters” and established his reputation in literary circles.