Allen Ginsberg's Use of Popular Culture Hint at the Time Period of His Poetry

Putting You in Place

In his poem "First Party At Ken Kesey's With Hell's Angels," Allen Ginsberg rapidly details a party in the ‘60s that is filled with sex, drugs, and rock ‘n' roll. His use of imagery and pop culture icons make his poem recognizable and somewhat contemporary to the X and Y generation. As part of Ginsberg's style, the pop culture references are what help "First Party At Ken Kesey's With Hell's Angels" to become a classic.

Before Ginsberg and the Beat Generation, many poets were afraid to use well-known symbols in their work, as to not pigeonhole it into one time period. Ginsberg, however, knew that the usage of these people, places, and things would ultimately connect with readers and make it enjoyable.

Before the poem even begins, the title boldly alerts the reader of the poem's setting. "First Party at Ken Kesey's With Hell's Angels" is a very literal title. Author Ken Kesey was well known as a party-thrower and heavy drug-user during the ‘60s. His San Francisco house would be overflowing with people and police would not hesitate to break up the soirees. 

In the ‘60s, Hell's Angels were well known for their illicit lifestyle of much the same: alcohol, wildness, and constantly being on the road. The Angels were also well known for being friends with drug-induced rockers, The Grateful Dead.

It has been widely stated that Ginsberg was responsible for making peace between the San Francisco hippies and Hell's Angels. At that time, Ginsberg was close with Kesey and had even participated in his acid tasting festivals.

Ginsberg perfectly captures the scene from line 1, his words quickly paced without pause. It is in lines 5 and 6 that he first makes mention of Hell's Angels. "a few tired souls hunched over / in black leather jackets." Instantly, a connection is made with the title.