Beat Generation (Noun)
Meaning
A United States youth subculture of the 1950s; rejected possessions or regular work or traditional dress; for communal living and psychedelic drugs and anarchism; favored modern forms of jazz (e.g., bebop).
Classification
Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects.
Examples
- The Beat Generation sought to challenge traditional social norms and conventions of the 1950s through their rejection of materialism and adoption of free-spirited lifestyles.
- As part of the Beat Generation, Allen Ginsberg's poem 'Howl' reflected the subculture's values of nonconformity and rejection of societal expectations.
- Influenced by the spontaneous nature of bebop, the Beat Generation emphasized creative expression through various forms of art and music.
- Characterized by their affinity for psychedelic experiences, communal living arrangements, and free love, the Beat Generation marked a pivotal moment in American counterculture history.
- Many members of the Beat Generation rejected traditional 9-to-5 jobs in favor of wandering, traveling, and focusing on artistic pursuits and self-discovery.