Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
beat-generation
Noun
/biːt ˌdʒɛnəˈreɪʃən/
Definition
A literary and social movement that emerged in the 1950s, featuring a group of American writers and artists who rejected conventional society and celebrated spontaneity, nonconformity, and exploration of consciousness.
Examples
- Jack Kerouac’s novel ‘On the Road’ is often cited as a defining work of the Beat Generation.
- The Beat Generation played a significant role in the evolution of 1960s counterculture.
- Many poets of the Beat Generation, like Allen Ginsberg, explored new forms of expression.
Meaning
The Beat Generation was characterized by a rejection of the values of mainstream American culture, promoting artistic expression, experimentation with drugs, and alternative lifestyles.
Synonyms
- Bohemian
- Countercultural movement
- Lost Generation
