Paper 2. Political sounds of John Cage and Allen Ginsberg

Chen 1

Tony Chen

Dr. Mairead Byrne

Sound Poetry

8th. March. 2013

Political sounds of John Cage and Allen Ginsberg

    In the book “Silence”, a collection of writings by John cage, one could observe his thought progress through out his years and how heavily influenced was his work by Buddhism. As for Allen Ginsberg, another poet of the same time period with similar influence of Buddhism but created very different works. It is interesting to compare the two poets side by side and investigate upon their similarities and differences within their work and voice. More importantly, how they view politics.

   

    John cage calls himself an Anarchist. I find this interesting. This is another part of john cage that I find very interesting. Through out various points of the book, it is stated that Cage is heavily influenced by Buddhism. However, I constantly feel like what influenced him was not Buddhism but rather, Taoism. His political view of Anarchist further points towards this idea. The idea of anarchism was first founded by Lao Tse around 5BCE, he is also the founder of Taoist. Through out Cage’s work, one could observe its close relations to Taoism and Anarchism.

    John Cage’s work on sounds and ensembles, it is obvious to see its close connections. In the book “silence”, under “experimental music - doctrine”, Cage expressed closely of his eagerness to have randomness closely participating within his work. He explained that music on its own basic level, shouldn’t and can’t be interpreted. This is where I feel the Taoism comes in, Buddhism does not really call for a randomness of life, but Taoism does. It leans closer towards the freeness of life. There is not really a close determination of right or wrong but follow closer with letting things flow along the way they flow. This is also where the Anarchism comes in. People does not necessarily need to be controlled, but they will be able to flow in a way that controlled would not be necessary. In Cage’s ensembles, you do not see soloist support by back up groups. Because he believe that all are equal and could participate in the piece and work without the existence of a “Higher being”. Cage also perform with all sorts of instruments and all sorts of places. He does not regard one instrument higher than another or a location more significant than another. This further signifies the importance of equality within his work and in politics. All of the above locates some basic and fundamental ideas of Anarchism.

   

    Allen Ginsberg, born and composed around the same time, took a very different route and philosophy ideas when compared to John Cage. Ginsberg seem to demonstrate less interest in the way of living but rather political structure. His poem “America” could be closely observed. Within the poem, it embezzles his ideas of socialism and how that is contrasted with the capitalism of the united states. It is obvious that his ideas of socialism or communism exist in a very different form then what we have today. It lies closer to “Utopia” by Saint Thomas More rather than real life models of Russia or Peoples Republic of China.

“America I've given you all and now I'm nothing.
America two dollars and twenty-seven cents January 17, 1956.
I can't stand my own mind.
America when will we end the human war?
Go fuck yourself with your atom bomb
I don't feel good don't bother me.
I won't write my poem till I'm in my right mind…”(America)

One of his main stand point would be to avoid war. Within the poem “America” it pointed out his hatred against US in demonstrating its power over the world with its military power. His next point would be his anger towards the social worker status within the United States. How capitalism forced or leads certain amount of people to live in miserable conditions while others. able to live in luxury. At the last part of the poem Ginsberg expressed his idea of communism. It is much strongly based on the social class. Ginsberg’s Mother is Russian, that could be another reason for his anger and explosion when the cold war was going on. Ginsberg was once accused for being a communist during the cold war but he simply responded that he stands for neither. Since both parties could not exemplify the simple idea of peace.

    It is very interesting to place the two poets side by side and see their progression of their blief. The two poets have very different approach with what they absorbed. In some way, one could also say that Cage in some aspects is also a communist, with his strong belief in equality and every man having the same importance within a group. However, cage approached it very differently. It is embedded in a style of calm music and tranquil motions. It is obvious that both of the poets are influenced by what they see of that time period. The wars, the deaths, the injuries, the government. Cage took the much more peaceful route while Ginsberg seem to look for a much more forefront, aggressive move. The words within Ginsberg’s poems includes curses and stronger word choices, but cage still remains closely with his peaceful practices. One could say they are calling for similar things but with different approaches. John Cage is a man who  challenges the past calls for a change and inserts his own ideas into his practices. As for Allen Ginsberg, he is a man that follows his time. His work revolves around the beat movement, Jazz, and pop. The fundamental differences within the two artist have resulted in very different responses towards politics.

Works Cited

Ide, Todd. "The Hilltop Review." "Party Line: Allen Ginsberg and political expression in Death & fame" by Todd Ide. 22 Mar. 2013 <http://scholarworks.wmich.edu/hilltopreview/vol2/iss1/7/>.

Kostelanetz:, Richard. "Anarchist Art of John Cage." Anarchist Art of John Cage. STERNECK.NET. 22 Mar. 2013 <http://www.sterneck.net/john-cage/kostelanetz/index.php>.

Rambles, Baker. "America Analysis by Allen ginsberg." HubPages. 22 Mar. 2013 <http://bakerrambles.hubpages.com/hub/America-Analysis>.