Definition

Noun: 1. A United States youth subculture of the 1950s: The Beat Generation refers to a specific cultural and literary movement of American youth in the post-World War II era. It is characterized by its rejection of mainstream societal norms regarding materialism, conventional careers, and traditional dress. 2. A movement advocating alternative lifestyles: Members of the Beat Generation often explored communal living, experimented with psychedelic drugs, and expressed sympathies for anarchist or anti-establishment political views. They were closely associated with modern, improvisational forms of jazz, such as bebop.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Writers like Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg were central figures of the Beat Generation.
  • The Beat Generation sought spiritual meaning through art, jazz, and travel, rejecting the conformity of the 1950s.
  • Her grandfather was part of the Beat Generation and still talks about the poetry readings in San Francisco.

Advanced Usage

• "Beatnik": A term, sometimes used pejoratively, for a stereotypical follower or member of the Beat Generation, often characterized by berets, sunglasses, and goatees.
  • The media often portrayed the beatnik as a lazy, coffeehouse poet.

Variants and Related Words

• Beat (adj/n): Used to describe the exhausted, "beaten down" state that inspired the movement's name, or as a shorthand for the movement or its members (e.g., ).
• Beatitude: A state of blessedness or spiritual happiness, a concept explored by Beat writers.

Synonyms

• The Beats: A common shorthand for the Beat Generation.
• Beat Movement: An alternative term emphasizing its nature as a cultural shift.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Beat sensibility": Refers to the characteristic attitudes and artistic approach of the Beat Generation, emphasizing spontaneity, raw expression, and spiritual quest.
  • His writing shows a clear Beat sensibility, with its long, flowing sentences and focus on moment-to-moment experience.

Noun

1. 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)