Click the blue link to read the poem “Lost Generation” by Jonathan Reed, then answer the questions below using specific examples from the poem as support. Be sure your response is TWO paragraphs, includes a TAG to introduce the response, and uses the TEA method (Topic, Evidence, Analysis) to organize your writing. What is the tone (the author’s attitude toward the subject matter) in the poem? What words or phrases helped you identify the tone? What is the mood (the reader’s feelings) of the poem? What words or phrases created the poem’s mood? 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? (Use specific examples from the poem as support.)

Answer 1

The poem "Lost Generation" by Jonathan Reed has a tone of urgency and warning. The author's attitude towards the subject matter is one of concern and a call to action. This can be seen through phrases like "lost opportunities," "death of imagination," and "menus without prices." These words convey a sense of loss, despair, and lack of control, indicating that the author is deeply troubled by the direction society is headed in.

The mood of the poem is one of apprehension and unease. This is created through phrases like "paradox of our time," "stepping on toes of giants," and "ultimate test of survival." These expressions evoke feelings of uncertainty, fear, and a sense of impending doom. The overall mood of the poem is somber and reflective, leaving the reader with a sense of foreboding and a desire for change.

Starting from the bottom line and reading up to the top changes the tone of the poem from one of warning to one of hope. By reversing the order of the lines, the message becomes about taking action to reverse the negative trends mentioned in the poem. For example, the line "time water has / wow matter will / change not for" becomes a call to action to change the future rather than a dire prediction of what will happen. This reversal creates a more uplifting and motivating mood, encouraging the reader to consider the power they have to make a difference.