Homework by Allen Ginsberg

In "Homework" by Allen Ginsberg, a strong amount of metaphors are used to represent his view on global affairs that he sees. In addition to the metaphors he uses, Ginsberg employs allusions to laundry based cleaners to greater describe the situation. "..and pour on the Ivory Soap, scrub up Africa, put all the birds and elephants back in the jungle" (2-3). Ginsberg specifically uses "Ivory Soap", the soap brand, because of the familiarity with the Ivory Coast, and how its dirtied by its history of violence during its gaining independence. Ginsberg believes that the violence in Africa has ruined its natural form, disturbing the birds and elephants he wishes to put back into their normal habitats. "Dump the whole mess of Russia and China in the wringer, squeeze out the tattletail Gray of U.S. Central American police state" (12-14). Ginsberg points out more problems that need to be "wringed" out, creating a vivid image of all the grime and dirt leaking out of Russia, China and Central America. I believe Ginsberg wants to communicate a message of world peace. Despite the tackiness of the idea, he uses the metaphor of the idea of laundry to communicate the message, making it seem more interesting. "..put the planet in the drier & let it sit 20 minutes or an Aeon till it came out clean" (15). Ginsberg clearly wants world peace, however he realizes it might take "aeons" just for it to become clean. Ginsberg wishes his dreams were true and it was really as easy as doing laundry to rid the world of its problems.