Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Allen Ginsberg's "Going to Chicago" presents a meditation on mortality, industrialization, and the haunting realities of modern existence. Through vivid and somber imagery, Ginsberg captures the tension between life's ephemeral nature and the relentless march of human progress, often at the cost of environmental degradation.

The poem opens with an aerial perspective: "22,000 feet over Hazed square Vegetable planet Floor / Approaching Chicago to Die or flying over Earth another 40 years / to die-Indifferent, and Afraid." This viewpoint establishes a sense of detachment and vastness, highlighting the smallness of human life against the sprawling backdrop of the Earth. The mention of approaching Chicago "to Die or flying over Earth another 40 years to die" underscores the inevitability of death, whether imminent or delayed. The poet's tone conveys a mix of indifference and fear, reflecting the existential anxiety that accompanies thoughts of mortality.

Ginsberg continues with stark imagery of industrial landscapes: "Many chimneys smoldering, city flats virus-linked / along Delaware bays under horizon-smog- / airplane drifting black vapor-filaments / above Wilmington--The iron habitations / endless from Manhattan to the Capitol." These lines paint a picture of a world dominated by industrialization, with smog and pollution obscuring the horizon. The "iron habitations" suggest a dehumanized, mechanical existence, stretching endlessly across the landscape. This portrayal of relentless industrial sprawl emphasizes the environmental and social consequences of unchecked progress.

The poem shifts to a contemplative tone with an invocation of Edgar Allan Poe: "Poe! D'jya prophesy this Smogland, this Inferno, / Didja Dream Baltimore'd Be Seen From Heaven / by Man Poet's eyes Astounded in the Fire Haze, / carbon Gas aghast!" Here, Ginsberg calls upon Poe, the master of Gothic horror, to highlight the nightmarish quality of the modern industrial world. The reference to Baltimore, Poe's final resting place, connects the past to the present, suggesting that the dystopian vision of smog and pollution might have been anticipated by Poe's dark imagination. The "Man Poet's eyes Astounded in the Fire Haze" evokes a sense of awe and horror at the environmental degradation wrought by human activity.

Ginsberg's use of vivid imagery and allusions creates a powerful commentary on the state of the modern world. The poem reflects a deep concern for the future, as well as a lament for the lost beauty and purity of the natural world. The juxtaposition of the poet's existential fear with the environmental destruction around him underscores the interconnectedness of human life and the planet's health.

In "Going to Chicago," Ginsberg masterfully blends personal reflection with broader social and environmental commentary. The poem serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of industrialization and the urgency of addressing the environmental crisis. Through his evocative language and imagery, Ginsberg invites readers to contemplate their own roles in shaping the future of the Earth and to recognize the profound impact of human actions on the planet's fragile ecosystems.

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