What is the title of the poem that begins with "I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness"?

Enhance your poetry comprehension with the NAQT Poetry Test. Solidify concepts with dynamic questions, hints, and explanations. Prepare for excellence!

The poem that begins with the line "I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness" is "Howl" by Allen Ginsberg. This line sets the tone for the poem, which explores themes of mental illness, societal issues, and the struggle against conformity in the context of the Beat Generation. Ginsberg's work is notable for its raw emotional intensity and candid social criticism, and this opening line serves as a powerful invocation of the anguish and brilliance of artists and thinkers during the mid-20th century.

The other options are distinct poems by other poets. "The Bells," written by Edgar Allan Poe, is known for its musical quality and themes of joy and despair, but it has a different focus than Ginsberg's work. "Eldorado," also by Poe, features a narrative about a quest for gold and how it relates to unattainable dreams, while "Annabel Lee," another of Poe's pieces, is a romantic poem reflecting on love and loss. Each of these poems is well-regarded in its own right but does not relate to the themes or opening line found in "Howl."

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