Howl and Other Poems by Allen Ginsberg
Key Details
- Genre: nonfiction
- Sub-Genres: poetry
- Publication Date: 1956
- Pages: 57
- Themes: madness, rebellion, sexuality, spirituality, community
- Accolades: became central to the famous 1957 obscenity trial People v. Ferlinghetti; featured in such collections as The Norton Anthology of Modern and Contemporary Poetry
My Rating
Howl is so brief you can read it in about an hour; though, since it’s poetry, a few rereads may prove worthwhile. It captures the Beat Generation’s American post World War II sentiments without sugar coating.
Gilmore Girls Episodes
| Season 2, Episode 5 (“Nick & Nora/Sid & Nancy”) | Jess borrows Howl from Rory and claims to have read it “about forty times.” |
| Season 2, Episode 18 (“Back in the Saddle Again”) | Rory mentions Jess’s notes in the margins. |
Best Quote
“The weight of the world
is love.
Under the burden
of solitude,
under the burden
of dissatisfaction
the weight,
the weight we carry
is love.”
Book Review
Plot
Howl is a short poetry collection that defined the Beat Generation, a cultural movement that challenged mainstream ideals in the 1940s and 1950s in America.
It includes bold, experimental works that celebrate raw emotion, sexuality, and spiritual searching. It sparked controversy and changed the landscape of American poetry.
Why It Matters on Gilmore Girls
The rebellious, nonconformist ideals presented in Howl are definitive of Jess Mariano himself, who claimed to have read the book “about forty times.”
When Jess first arrives in Stars Hollow on Gilmore Girls, Howl is the subject of the first conversation during which Jess and Rory bond. Their shared love of influential writing ignites a spark that will change their lives.
Who It’s Best For
If you’re Team Jess, it’s a no-brainer. It’s him in book format.
Reading Tips
- Write in the margins like Jess!
- Listen to the author read it on YouTube (below).
Frequently Asked Questions
Howl by Allen Ginsberg is Jess Mariano’s favorite book. He claimed to have read this Beat Generation poetry book “about 40 times” during Season 2, Episode 5 (“Nick & Nora/Sid & Nancy”).
During their first meeting on Gilmore Girls in Season 2, Episode 5 (“Nick & Nora/Sid & Nancy”), Jess Mariano borrowed the Beat Generation poetry book Howl by Allen Ginsberg from Rory Gilmore’s bookshelf.
Rory: “You’ve read this before.” Jess: “About 40 times.” Rory: “I thought you said you didn’t read much.” Jess: “Well, what is much?
Yes. In Season 5, Episode 19 (“But I’m a Gilmore!”), it’s featured on the banned books poster in Rory’s and Paris’s apartment.
Related Books to Read Next
If you liked Howl, read these books next:
