Who were "The Beats"
The Beat writers were prominent from 1940-1950s following World War II. Although the movement had no consistent area of operation, the ideas spread had the same core: unconventional art. The movement desired for nonconformity; poets wrote "bold, straightforward, and expressive" topics that ranged from anti-war to nature. The Beats pushed every limit, only searching for freedom of expression (often through jazz and psychedelic drugs); the cry for change from all areas of life: materialism as a result of capitalism, the destruction of human spirits, and challenging taboos; the Beats opposed the establishment and all it stood for.
During the time period, many of the Beat's work was considered to be "crossing the line" and opposers wanted the works to be censored, but the Beats continued on to create and influence the world around them. The Beat generation first began as a group of friends in and around New York City, consisting of Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Neal Cassady and William S. Burroughs in the 1940s. While the number of writers considered part of "The Beats" is relatively small, the influence the movement had on society has significance on culture in the following years.
During the time period, many of the Beat's work was considered to be "crossing the line" and opposers wanted the works to be censored, but the Beats continued on to create and influence the world around them. The Beat generation first began as a group of friends in and around New York City, consisting of Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Neal Cassady and William S. Burroughs in the 1940s. While the number of writers considered part of "The Beats" is relatively small, the influence the movement had on society has significance on culture in the following years.