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What was the Beat movement?
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The Beat Generation
The Beat Generation was a group of writers who tried to use their voices to challenge post-WWII America (and Europe). Their work was often controversial, because apart from speaking against the government, the writers themselves often engaged in and wrote about illicit drug use, sex (even homosexual sex, which was a taboo), and crime. Instead of accepting the world, they tried to experience more and challenge authority. -
Where it all began
The meeting of the minds: Jack Kerouac, William Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg, Neal Cassady, and Herbert Huncke met at Columbia University. -
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The Six Gallery Reading
This is the gallery in San Fransisco in which the Beat poets met and shared some of their work with each other on Oct. 7, 1955. This was another way they were able to connect with each other and spread their ideas. Around 100 people attended the event. -
"Howl" Obscenity Trial
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"October in the Railroad Earth"
October in the Railroad Earthby Jack Kerouac -
William S. Burroughs
The most famous work by Burroughs is "The Naked Lunch," a book that follows William Lee on his adventures that jump through time and space. Faced with similar obscenity issues as "Howl," the book was not fully available until after its official release. It displays serious drug use, crime, sex, and plenty of obscene language. It can be difficult to follow, and Burroughs said that it was intended that the chapters could be read in any order.
