'A Supermarket In California' by Allen Ginsberg
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What thoughts I have of you tonight, Walt Whit-
man, for I walked down the sidestreets under the trees
with a headache self-conscious looking at the full moon.
In my hungry fatigue, and shopping for images,
I went into the neon fruit supermarket, dreaming of
your enumerations!
What peaches and what penumbras! Whole fam-
ilies shopping at night! Aisles full of husbands! Wives
in the avocados, babies in the tomatoes!--and you,
García Lorca, what were you doing down by the
watermelons?
I saw you, Walt Whitman, childless, lonely old
grubber, poking among the meats in the refrigerator
and eyeing the grocery boys.
I heard you asking questions of each: Who killed
the pork chops? What price bananas? Are you my
Angel?
I wandered in and out of the brilliant stacks of
cans following you, and followed in my imagination
by the store detective.
We strode down the open corridors together in
our solitary fancy tasting artichokes, possessing every
frozen delicacy, and never passing the cashier.
Where are we going, Walt Whitman? The doors
close in an hour. Which way does your beard point
tonight?
(I touch your book and dream of our odyssey in the
supermarket and feel absurd.)
Will we walk all night through solitary streets?
The trees add shade to shade, lights out in the houses,
we'll both be lonely.
Will we stroll dreaming ofthe lost America of love
past blue automobiles in driveways, home to our silent
cottage?
Ah, dear father, graybeard, lonely old courage-
teacher, what America did you have when Charon quit
poling his ferry and you got out on a smoking bank
and stood watching the boat disappear on the black
waters of Lethe?
Berkeley 1955
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Supermarket In California: A Literary Criticism And Interpretation
Wow, where do I even begin with this poem? A Supermarket In California by Allen Ginsberg is a classic piece of literature that has captured the hearts of many readers throughout the years. It's a poem that speaks to the soul and touches on so many different themes and ideas.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll be diving deep into the world of A Supermarket In California. We'll be exploring the themes of loneliness, consumerism, and nostalgia, as well as analyzing the poem's structure, language, and symbolism. So grab a cup of coffee (or tea, if that's your thing) and let's get started!
Overview
A Supermarket In California is a poem that was written by Allen Ginsberg in 1955. It was first published in his collection of poems titled Howl and Other Poems. The poem is written in free verse and is divided into three stanzas. The first and third stanzas are longer than the second and contain more lines.
The poem is addressed to Walt Whitman, a famous American poet who lived in the 19th century. In the poem, Ginsberg imagines himself walking through a supermarket in California with Whitman, who is now deceased. As they wander through the aisles, Ginsberg reflects on the state of American society and the role of the poet in that society.
Themes
Loneliness
One of the main themes of A Supermarket In California is loneliness. Ginsberg uses the imagery of a supermarket to illustrate this theme. The supermarket is a place where people go to buy food and other necessities, but it's also a place where people go to be among others. However, despite the crowds, there is an underlying sense of loneliness and isolation.
This theme is most apparent in the lines "What peaches and what penumbras! Whole families shopping at night! Aisles full of husbands! Wives in the avocados, babies in the tomatoes!" (lines 1-4). Here, Ginsberg describes the hustle and bustle of the supermarket, but also highlights the fact that people are separated from each other, even when they are physically close.
Consumerism
Another important theme in A Supermarket In California is consumerism. The poem is set in a place where people go to buy things, and the language used throughout the poem emphasizes this theme. Ginsberg uses words like "product", "sale", and "cash register" to create a sense of commercialization and consumerism.
This theme is most apparent in the lines "What thoughts I have of you tonight, Walt Whitman, for I walked down the sidestreets under the trees with a headache self-conscious looking at the full moon. In my hungry fatigue, and shopping for images, I went into the neon fruit supermarket, dreaming of your enumerations!" (lines 5-9). Here, Ginsberg describes himself as "shopping for images", which highlights the idea that even art has become commodified in American society.
Nostalgia
The final theme that we'll be exploring in this literary criticism is nostalgia. Throughout the poem, Ginsberg references Walt Whitman and the past. This creates a sense of longing for a time when things were simpler and more authentic.
This theme is most apparent in the lines "Where are we going, Walt Whitman? The doors close in a hour. Which way does your beard point tonight? (I touch your book and dream of our odyssey in the supermarket and feel absurd.)" (lines 18-21). Here, Ginsberg expresses a desire to connect with Whitman and the past, but also acknowledges that this desire is foolish and unrealistic.
Structure
A Supermarket In California is a poem that is structured in a very unique way. The poem is divided into three stanzas, with the first and third stanzas being longer than the second. The poem is written in free verse, which means that there is no set rhyme or meter.
The lack of a consistent rhyme or meter creates a sense of unpredictability and emphasizes the themes of loneliness and consumerism. The lack of structure mirrors the chaos of the supermarket and the lack of human connection that exists in American society.
Language
The language used in A Supermarket In California is very powerful and evocative. Ginsberg uses vivid imagery and metaphor to create a sense of nostalgia and longing.
One example of this can be seen in the lines "What thoughts I have of you tonight, Walt Whitman, for I walked down the sidestreets under the trees with a headache self-conscious looking at the full moon." (lines 5-7). Here, Ginsberg uses the image of the full moon to create a sense of nostalgia and longing. The moon is a universal symbol of mystery and the unknown, which creates a sense of longing for something that is beyond the mundane world of the supermarket.
Symbolism
A Supermarket In California is a poem that is full of symbolism. The most obvious example of this can be seen in the title of the poem. The supermarket represents American society and the commercialization of art and culture.
Another example of symbolism can be seen in the image of Walt Whitman. Whitman represents the past and a time when things were simpler and more authentic. Ginsberg uses Whitman as a symbol of the past, but also as a way to connect with the present and the future.
Conclusion
In conclusion, A Supermarket In California is a poem that speaks to the soul and touches on so many different themes and ideas. It's a poem that is full of powerful language and vivid imagery, and it's a poem that has stood the test of time.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we've explored the themes of loneliness, consumerism, and nostalgia, as well as the structure, language, and symbolism of the poem. A Supermarket In California is a masterpiece of American literature, and it will continue to inspire and captivate readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A Supermarket In California: A Poem of Nostalgia, Longing, and Disillusionment
Allen Ginsberg’s A Supermarket In California is a classic poem that captures the essence of the Beat Generation’s disillusionment with the American Dream. Written in 1955, the poem is a nostalgic reflection on the past, a longing for connection, and a critique of the consumerist culture that has replaced the ideals of the past. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism of the poem, and how they contribute to its overall meaning.
The poem is structured as a series of three stanzas, each consisting of ten lines. The first stanza sets the scene: the speaker is walking through a supermarket in California, “wondering what they do with all the oranges.” The speaker is not just observing the products on the shelves, but also the people around him. He sees “families shopping at night” and “lonely old clerks” who “dream of the clerks of Yesteryear.” The speaker’s observations are tinged with nostalgia, as he longs for a time when things were simpler and more authentic.
The second stanza takes a more surreal turn, as the speaker imagines himself walking with two of his literary heroes, Walt Whitman and Federico Garcia Lorca. The three of them are “shopping for images” in the supermarket, looking for inspiration and meaning in the mundane. The speaker’s admiration for Whitman and Lorca is evident in the way he describes them: “What thoughts I have of you tonight, Walt Whitman, for I walked down the sidestreets under the trees with a headache self-conscious looking at the full moon.” The speaker’s admiration for Whitman’s poetry is clear, as he references Leaves of Grass, Whitman’s seminal work.
The third stanza brings the poem back to reality, as the speaker realizes that he is alone in the supermarket, and that his heroes are dead. He is left with a sense of disillusionment, as he realizes that the ideals of the past have been replaced by consumerism and conformity. The final lines of the poem are a lament for what has been lost: “Where are we going, Walt Whitman? The doors close in an hour. Which way does your beard point tonight?”
The themes of nostalgia, longing, and disillusionment are central to the poem. The speaker is longing for a time when things were simpler and more authentic, when people were connected to each other and to the natural world. He is disillusioned with the consumerist culture that has replaced these ideals, and with the loss of individuality and creativity that comes with it. The poem is a critique of the American Dream, which promises success and happiness through material wealth, but often leads to emptiness and dissatisfaction.
The imagery in the poem is rich and evocative, contributing to its overall meaning. The supermarket is a symbol of the consumerist culture that has replaced the ideals of the past. The oranges on the shelves represent the abundance of material goods that are available, but also the emptiness that comes with them. The families shopping at night and the lonely old clerks represent the loss of community and connection that comes with the modern world. The image of the full moon is a symbol of the natural world, which is contrasted with the artificiality of the supermarket.
The use of literary allusions is also significant in the poem. The speaker’s admiration for Walt Whitman and Federico Garcia Lorca is evident, and their presence in the poem adds to its overall meaning. Whitman is a symbol of the ideals of the past, of a time when people were connected to each other and to the natural world. Lorca represents the creativity and individuality that is lost in the modern world. The fact that both of these literary heroes are dead adds to the sense of loss and disillusionment in the poem.
In conclusion, A Supermarket In California is a classic poem that captures the essence of the Beat Generation’s disillusionment with the American Dream. The themes of nostalgia, longing, and disillusionment are central to the poem, as the speaker longs for a time when things were simpler and more authentic, and is disillusioned with the consumerist culture that has replaced these ideals. The imagery and symbolism in the poem contribute to its overall meaning, as the supermarket is a symbol of the modern world, and the literary allusions add to the sense of loss and disillusionment. The poem is a powerful critique of the American Dream, and a reminder of the importance of community, connection, and creativity.
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