ENGL 4310 – Heart Beats Exhibit

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Sonia Gechtoff

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Icon, by Sonia Gechtoff, like so much of Lawrence Ferlinghetti's life, brings a subtle brightness into the complex controversies of the Beat movement. Both Gechtoff and Ferlinghetti used their craft to break down social patterns, illuminating the depth and color of humanity that emerged during an exciting period when emotion, passion, and spiritual exploration were driving forces. A central theme that runs through Ferlinghetti's work is his discernment of purpose and beauty in the mundane. He used this theme to promote critical thinking and to teach people to find truth that empowers citizens to engage with society. Belief in the persistence of beauty and human purpose shared by Gechtoff and Ferlinghetti is captured in his poem "Are There Not Still Fireflies?":

Is not beauty still beauty

And truth still truth

Are there not still poets

Are there not still lovers

Are there not still mothers

sisters and brothers

Is there not still a full moon

once a month

Are there not still fireflies

Are there not still stars at night

Can we not still see them

in bowl of night

signaling to us

our manifest destiny?

Publication Date

1960

Keywords

icon, Sonia Gechtoff, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, beat movement

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