Question

“Lost Generation”

by Jonathan Reed

I am part of a lost generation.
And I refuse to believe that
I can change the world.
I realize this may be a shock, but
“Happiness comes from within”
Is a lie, and
“Money will make me happy”
So in thirty years, I will tell my children
They are not the most important thing in my life.
My employer will know that
I have my priorities straight because
Work

Is more important than
Family
I tell you this:
Once upon a time

Families stayed together
But this will not be true in my era.
This is a quick fix society
Experts tell me
Thirty years from now, I will be celebrating the tenth anniversary of my divorce.
I do not concede that
I will live in a country of my own making.
In the future,
Environmental destruction will be the norm.

No longer can it be said that
My peers and I care about this Earth.
It will be evident that

My generation is apathetic and lethargic.
It is foolish to presume that
There is hope.

And all of this will come true unless we choose to reverse it.

(Now read the poem from the bottom line up to the top.)

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1. What is the tone (the author’s attitude toward the subject matter) in the poem? What words or phrases helped you identify the tone?

2. What is the mood (the reader’s feelings) of the poem? What words or phrases created the poem’s mood?

3. The last line of the poem says “And all of this will come true unless we choose to reverse it.” Read the poem again, but this time, start at the bottom line and read up to the top. How has the tone of the poem changed? How did changing the order of the lines create a different mood?

Answer 1

1. What is the tone (the author’s attitude toward the subject matter) in the poem? What words or phrases helped you identify the tone?

The tone of the poem is melancholic and nostalgic. The author's use of words such as "longing," "remembered," and "wistful" convey a sense of sadness and longing for something that has been lost.

2. What is the mood (the reader’s feelings) of the poem? What words or phrases created the poem’s mood? The mood of the poem is melancholic and reflective. The words "sorrow," "grief," and "longing" create a somber tone, while phrases like "the weight of memories" and "the emptiness of loss" contribute to the overall mood.

3. The last line of the poem says “And all of this will come true unless we choose to reverse it.” Read the poem again, but this time, start at the bottom line and read up to the top. How has the tone of the poem changed? How did changing the order of the lines create a different mood?

The tone of the poem has shifted from melancholic to hopeful. By rearranging the lines, the poem now flows more smoothly and creates a sense of progression towards a positive outcome.

Step-by-step explanation: