America by Allen Ginsberg America written by Allen Ginsberg was written right after World War II and at the start of the Cold War. This was a time of controversy and taking a time of differing personal beliefs. It makes sense that it this poem is very opinionated towards society as a whole in America, due to being written at this time. His political opinion, view on society, and sexuality is reflected and shaped into this poem. In particular his problem with America revolves around it's consumerism, and homosexuality. The author writes exactly what he sees, which are things that aren't out of the ordinary at all. However, it's the prospective that he has to offer on these things that is the interesting part. This poem is odd because it is written by an American, however, it appears to have the perspective of someone from another country. This is partly due to his mother's Russian, communist roots. Ginsberg takes a strong stance, throwing accusations at the Unites States Government, politicians, and its citizens. However, I'd like to point out that even though he criticizes American citizens, I do not feel like I am being attacked by him. Our society is not perfect, and I think it is good for someone to be able to express their point of view so strongly, as Ginsberg did to create awareness. I do not think of this poem as a critique. Many critiques, when writing take little to no risk on their part at all. It takes no courage to do what they do, they either agree or disagree with something. They never expose themselves or leave themselves vulnerable. This cannot be said about Ginsberg. This poem is extremely personal; he refers to his use of Marijuana, and exposes his sexuality. Unlike critics, he took a firm stance against something that he was surely going to get heat for. After leaving himself vulnerable and ready to be attacked, I'd say it worked out well for him judging by my response to the poem along with other reader's responses. He was credited "the single greatest influence on the American poetic voice since Whitman", by Bob Dylan himself. America is formatted strangely. Ginsberg’s style in this poem is unorganized, and has a raw feeling to it. This poem separates itself from others because it is not written with a rhyme scheme, meter, and doesn't have any rhythm. The unorganized way this poem was written leads me to believe that Ginsberg just wrote what he was feeling at the time, and just poured his emotions down onto the page. This is supported by the way Ginsberg's anger flows up and down throughout the poem. Its only poetic element that I have really found was repetition, which creates distinction and separation between lines. This unique writing style is fitting for this particular type of writing. He cuts to the chase and tells people what he thinks they need to hear. I do not think this writing style would work for many other poems, however, I wouldn't like this particular poem any other way. The way it is written gives it the impression that he's fed up and brutally honest. His stance also appears to change throughout the poem. At first he seems to be taking a sort of authoritative, depressing role, separating himself. He uses this style to talk about some of the larger, less personal issues with America such as war, and the Atom Bomb, and militarism. He states that America's libraries, places filled with knowledge and freedom, are full of tears. Basically implying that we are holding ourselves back from our full potential. Later on in the poem he starts to personalize himself more and bring himself closer to