Themes and message

The poem “HOWL” by Allen Ginsberg explores several themes: insanity, freedom and confinement and norms. Overall, we can say the poet presents perspectives on America, criticizing conformity and outdated social norms, aiming to shock the readership by describing parts of society which they usually reject, those who challenge these norms and rebel against them.

Insanity

In the poem, the concept of insanity or madness is turned upside down. What mainstream society sees as normal, the speaker presents as driving people insane, and those perceived insane are depicted as misunderstood prodigies.

So, in the poem it is society who contributes into turning creative people and geniuses into mad persons because it confines their individuality and their self-expression, leading them to desperate acts such as suicide and radicalism:

who created great suicidal dramas on the apartment cliff-banks of
the Hudson under the wartime blue floodlight of the moon
& their heads shall be c...