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.

Question

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.)
“Lost Generation”
by Jonathan Reed

Answer 1

When reading the poem in reverse, starting from the bottom line and going up, the tone shifts from a sense of despair and inevitability to a more hopeful and empowering message.

For example, in the original reading of the poem, lines like "We become so enamored with progress and technology" and "We carry on because we know it's expected of us" convey a sense of resignation and acceptance of a bleak future. However, when read in reverse, these lines become a call to action, urging the reader to make different choices in order to change the outcome.

Additionally, lines like "We all know what happened to Amelia Earhart" and "We learn to live with it because we have no other choice" suggest a sense of loss and inevitability. But when read in reverse, these lines become a reminder of past mistakes and a motivation to avoid repeating them.

Overall, changing the order of the lines in the poem creates a more optimistic and empowering mood, encouraging the reader to take control of their own future and make a difference. It emphasizes the importance of individual choice and the potential to change the course of history.