Investigating Carl Solomon from Ginsberg's "Howl"

            In Ginsberg's poem, Howl, the speaker explains a new perspective, one which represents the "best minds of [his] generation" to be among the homeless, the lawless, and those deemed insane by society. Ginsberg's poem is dedicated to one of those minds: Carl Solomon.

            Although it was Solomon who deemed himself insane by admitting himself into a psychiatric clinic in final rejection of the Dada movement which he once indulged in, Ginsberg saw the genius in him and took an interest. Despite that Solomon was not a frequent writer during their early friendship, Ginsberg took literary advice, as well as general advice, from Solomon. Ginsberg was not only attracted to Solomon's experience with artistic movements such as Dada, but also Solomon's mental condition in the views of society and culture.

            Ginsberg was not the only author of his time to take an interest in a less accomplished and less rational character to influence his works. Jack Kerouac attempted to keep close ties with Neal Cassady, who kept Kerouac on his toes, and gave him enough inspiration to produce (or involve Cassady's character in) several works. William Burroughs could often be found with his thieving street smart pal, Herbert Huncke. These friends of great Beat Generation writers pumped the raw America that the writers sought out. The unknown forbidden fruit of America appeared to these authors in the mentally deranged, wild characters and their unpredictable lifestyles.

            Solomon personally experienced the ugliest corners of the American system by being institutionalized and exposed to traumatic events such as shock therapy to overcome his depression. Solomon's experience with shock therapy helped to form the view that American society often excuses genius for madness, which is a major theme in Howl.

            In Howl, Ginsberg refers to Solomon in the words: "... who threw potato salad at CCNY lecturers on Dadaism and subsequently presented themselves on the granite steps of the madhouse with shaven heads and harlequin speech of suicide, demanding instantaneous lobotomy."

Carl Solomon and Allen Ginsberg, 1991

 

            Ginsberg's interest in Solomon's involvement with the Dada movement as well as with his mental illness are evident in these lines. Despite Ginsberg being two years older than Solomon, his education on American society from Solomon's experiences is clear. Although Ginsberg considers Solomon to be among the best minds of their generation, Solomon has clearly been brutalized by the views of American society. Ginsberg does not make it fully evident whether these effects of America act positively or negatively on these great minds. However, he does point out that common American society is the villain.

            However unfortunate Solomon's treatment was, it intrigued Ginsberg and they became longtime friends. The final reference to Solomon is the line, "I'll see you in Rockland," in which Ginsberg refers to the psychiatric clinic at which the two first met.