Comparing Excess in Morrison’s Sula and Ginsberg’s Howl Essay -- compa

Application of Excess in Morrisons genus Sula and Ginsbergs mewl In William Blakes Marriage of Heaven and Hell, he declares that the roadway of excess leads to the palace of wisdomThose who restrain desire, do so because theirs is unclouded enough to be restrained. These beliefs are reiterated and expanded upon in both Toni Morrisons novel Sula and Allen Ginsbergs epic poem Howl. Both authors argufy the conception of socially imposed boundaries, which suppress the absolute freedom of eyeshot and action, by venerating the human characteristic of excess. Instead of abiding by the social norms of the general cultural animosity towards excess, Morrison and Ginsberg use this vilified attribute as a means to transcend the aforementioned boundaries that have hampered intellectual offshoot and the liberation of the self. The fact that both authors are of minority backgrounds compounds the acuteness of oppressiveness that both have experienced in their lives and allows us to draw par allels betwixt their beliefs and how they challenge such despotism. Morrisons Sula deals with the novels namesakes journey to follow the road less traveled, and to escape the throes of a sensed life of perpetual imprisonment of the self that has engulfed most of the women of her time. The most straightforward trait that resides in all aspects of Sulas character is that of excess. She final payment a one-woman war against societys prescribed boundaries with an arsenal of excessive behavior and actions. The prospects of a fixed life of marriage and childbearing, which is the invidia and ultimate objective for women of her age in Bottom, is unappealing and an altogether putrid existence to her. In order to understand the complex infrastructure of Sulas character... ... electrified out of the coma by our own souls airplanes roaring oer the roof theyve come to drop angelic bombs the hospital illuminates itself imaginary walls give way O skinny legions run outside O starry-spangle d shock of kindness the eternal war is here O victory forget your underclothing were free(111). Freedom is what Morrison and Ginsberg strive for in their respective kit and boodle of Sula and Howl. Both authors implement the use of excessive behavior, deemed heretical to the social standards of the day, in order to transcend its boundaries and achieve self-actualization. Morrison and Ginsberg in effect quash the adage of conform or die into that of conform and die. Works CitedGinsberg, Allen. Howl Original Draft Facsimile, Transcript, and Variant Versions. Ed. Barry Miles. New York Viking, 1986.Morrison, Toni. Sula. 1973. New York Plume, 1982.