A Review of Individual and Social Madness in the Beats’ Literature and Life

Abstract

Madness is a crucial theme in the Beasts’ literature and life. This article distinguishes between individual and social madness and shows their influence on the Beats, using the ideas of Erich Fromm, Michel Foucault and many others and also using the Beats’ own works and ideas. The focus is of course more on Burroughs, Ginsberg, and Kerouac. The Beats did not adjust themselves to society because they believed that American society was so irrational and mad that it brutally suppressed their individuality, repressed their natural desires, and forced them to consider themselves mad just because of lack of adjustment. As opposed to those who regard lack of adjustment as the cause of individual madness, there are others who enunciate that the individual is not to blame but society which is inattentive to individuals’ potentialities and does not adjust itself to their needs and aspirations.

Keywords

• Adjustment
• individuality
• madness
• society
• conformity