The best minds of a generation - Book Report/Review Example

The author portrays his plot device with a lot of hope, ambition, worth and promising future in terms of the practices they take to ensure quality and equality. However, the author does not fail to highlight the negative aspects of the generation citing negative behavior and show of might and insanity. Thesis In this paper, I will provide an analysis of the main themes put across by the author and their significance in the plot of the poem. The analysis will include highlights of the main characteristics of the group used as the plot device.

The paper will also review literature styles in the poem such as the repetition of the term ‘holy’ in the last part of the poem. The character and significance of Moloch will also be included in the paper. Additionally, the paper will review the role and significance of Carl Solomon and how the author uses the character to enhance the plot of the poem. The three themes to be identified in the paper will include generational age, religion and leadership. In the theme of generational age and change, the author commences his poem by praising the generation he was brought up in; “… I saw the best mind in my generation…” (Charters 62).

However, he quickly changes by pointing out the negative aspect of the generation and how they lost their superiority and prowess; “… I saw the best minds in my generation destroyed by madness, starving, hysterical naked…” (Charters 62). From the analysis of the first line of the poem, one could easily point out that the generation was at its youthful stage. In an argument by Bill, the youths in society are regarded as vulnerable in terms of taking up questionable practices and decisions (122).

However, the author effectively highlights the heroic characteristics of the generation regardless of the numerous mistakes in terms of sticking together and support: “…Carl Solomon!, Am with you in Rockland where you are madder than I am…” (Charters 69). This depiction of the generation shows the importance of generational growth which shows solidarity and rite of passage with predictable characteristics. The theme on religion is effectively displayed in the entire poem with the author creating biblical connections to the deeds in the poem.

The theme significantly displayed in the last part of the poem where the author uses the terms holy to describe numerous phenomena, deeds and existing places or people: everything is holy, everybody is holy, everywhere is holy, everyday is in eternity, and everyman is an angel (Charters 71). This comparison to holiness to every aspect on this generation’s society can be argued to be a belief of the dwellers of the particular generation. In an argument by Jonah one person perception of another person of the same generation is different from another person’s perspective from a different generation (65).

The author further points out that the similarity in age creates unison in perceiving related factors, objects and other people (Jonah 66). The theme of leadership is not given much significance in the poem. The author left out superiority perception of a particular person or people (Jonah 45). However, the generation put into perspective is described to have alternative leadership options based on their belief and right to particular things available in the society. The leadership style in this perspective however, uses unorthodox means: who burned cigarette holes in their arms protesting the narcotic tobacco haze of capitalism (Charters 64).

In the poem, Moloch is displayed as an evil character, “… Moloch! Moloch nightmare of Moloch! Moloch the loveless, mental Moloch! Moloch the