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A Supermarket in California
A Supermarket in California
by Allen Ginsberg

A Supermarket in California Theme of Literature and Writing

The speaker spends pretty much all of "A Supermarket in California" talking to Walt Whitman, the long-dead super important American poet. Why? Well, Whitman was one of Ginsberg's most influential inspirations, both in terms of poetic form and poetic content. Ginsberg's poems often look a whole lot like Whitman's do (sprawling poems with long sprawling lines), and Ginsberg writes a whole lot about Whitman's favorite theme: the good ol' U. S. of A. Some critics argue that "Supermarket" is all about Ginsberg trying to make a connection between himself and Whitman, and that Ginsberg is trying to cast himself as Whitman's literary son or heir. Shmoop think these critics are right on the money.

Questions About Literature and Writing

  1. How would the poem be different if it were not addressed to Walt Whitman? 
  2. Why does Garcia Lorca show up in the poem? Is he as important to the speaker as Whitman is? How can you tell? 
  3. By the end of the poem, has the speaker learned anything from the imaginary Whitman? If so, what? 
  4. What do you think about Ginsberg's characterization of Whitman? 
  5. What kind of portrait does Ginsberg paint of him?

Chew on This


"Supermarket" successfully argues that Ginsberg is Whitman's poetic heir.

"Supermarket" is all about Ginsberg's desire to be Whitman's heir, but ultimately, it turns out that he doesn't live up to Whitman's amazing work. Sorry, buddy.

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