Definition
The Beat Generation was a literary and cultural movement in the 1950s that rejected mainstream American values. They emphasized nonconformity, spontaneity, and experimentation. Think jazz, poetry slams, and road trips. 🚗 They often explored themes of alienation, spirituality, and sexual liberation. The movement influenced later counterculture movements like the hippies. It provided a voice for those disillusioned with postwar society. It marked a shift in artistic expression.