Ginsbergs America in Time - 1275 Words

In Allen Ginsbergs America, written in January of 1956, the author admits I am obsessed with Time Magazine. I read it every week (Ginsberg 46-47). For this reason I have chosen issue number 24 of volume LXVI of Time, published December 12, 1955, to illustrate Ginsbergs influences by the current national and world events of his time. The cover of this issue depicts the jolly St. Nick behind the beaming bald head of toymaker Louis Marx. This joyous illustration projects how the media sought to spread happiness and Christmas cheer despite national woes such as nuclear arms threats and the countrys slow movement toward national desegregation. Ginsbergs dramatic monologue, America, demonstrates his emotions tied to the Cold War†¦show more content†¦The author takes this position as the event was in the middle of the Cold War, during which the United States attempted to contain the threat of communism throughout allied nations and in opposition promoted democracy and capitalis m. Of Indias Prime Minister Nehru during the time of the visit, the author claims he gave them [the Russian communist party] platforms to spread their deception, and sponsored their attacks on all that free nations stand for. It may take years to undo the mischief (COMMUNISTS). The authors diction, more specifically the use of the word mischief, implies his opinion that the spread of communism is bad and that India greeting such visitors was morally wrong. In this statement, as well as in his tone throughout the entire article, the author projects an opinion that communism is both evil and deceptive and that those who welcome their authorities into their countries are in a way supporting the supposed evils they may promote or commit. In America, Ginsberg acknowledged the collective opinion of American media and populace that communism is both evil and a world-wide threat to democracy. He declared America its them bad Russians and that the Russias power mad (Ginsberg 85, 88). 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