“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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- 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?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
- Tone:
The tone of the poem when read from top to bottom is pessimistic and resigned. The speaker expresses a bleak outlook on life, emphasizing materialism, broken family structures, environmental destruction, and apathy. Words and phrases such as “lost generation,” “money will make me happy,” “quick fix society,” and “environmental destruction will be the norm” reflect the speaker’s cynical perspective. The tone conveys a sense of hopelessness and disconnection from traditional values and optimism. - Mood:
The mood of the poem when read top to bottom is somber and unsettling. As a reader, one feels a sense of despair and disillusionment, particularly as the poem portrays a future where priorities are misaligned, families are fragmented, and the environment is neglected. Phrases such as “my peers and I care about this Earth” being negated, and “I will be celebrating the tenth anniversary of my divorce,” evoke sadness and concern about the trajectory of society. - Tone and Mood Reversal:
When read from the bottom line up, the tone of the poem shifts dramatically to one of hope and determination. The same lines now emphasize the possibility of reversing negative outcomes and building a brighter future. Lines like “there is hope,” “my peers and I care about this Earth,” and “happiness comes from within” change the narrative to one of optimism and potential for positive change.
The mood also transforms into one of inspiration and empowerment. The reader feels motivated to embrace personal responsibility and collective action to create a better world. Changing the order highlights how perspective shapes meaning—what initially seemed resigned and cynical becomes a powerful call to action. The shift demonstrates how a change in viewpoint can redefine outcomes, turning despair into hope.