America

Ginsberg does not write in a set meter, and he does not use a rhyme scheme. In fact, there are no intentional rhymes in the poem that stand out. He does use alliteration in places, but Ginsberg’s poetic form really comes from his voice and the use of surreal images and strange syntax to achieve a unique tone. Ginsberg was also concerned with line length, and he was strategic of his use of long versus short lines, with this poem actually utilizing more short lines than long ones, which is unique in Ginsberg’s body of work.

More than anything, though, Ginsberg’s poetry is supposed to be read aloud. When matched with his exuberant performance style, the poem has life and energy.

Ginsberg’s poem directly addresses America as if it were a living being. He personifies the country, gives it voice, and speaks directly to it. This is an example of apostrophe, and by doing this, Ginsberg is able to make his criticism more emotional, more poignant, and he is able to better dramatize the issues he wishes to address.