"The Lost Generation" is a poem written by Jonathan Reed that cleverly presents two opposite messages about life, depending on the way you read it. The poem is structured in such a way that if you read it from top to bottom, it expresses a negative and pessimistic view of the world, but ..............................
The Lost Generation - My English Folder Coursebook - Class 6 - English
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Quiz - The Lost Generation | My English Folder Coursebook | Class 6 Literature | English
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About the Poet - The Lost Generation | My English Folder Coursebook | Class 6 Literature | English
Jonathan Reed is an American poet, best known for his thought-provoking poem "The Lost Generation." His work has gained widespread recognition and appreciation for its unique and inventive approach to conveying powerful messages.
"The Lost Generation" was written in 2007 when Reed was a 20-year-old student at Columbia College in Chicago. The poem was created as a response to a contest called "u@50," organized by AARP, which challenged participants to create a video about their vision of the future. Reed's poem won second place in the contest and went on to become a viral sensation on the internet.
The poem's structure, which allows it to be read both forwards and backwards, has earned Reed praise for his creativity and skill in crafting a piece that carries two opposing messages about the world, depending on the direction it is read. This clever technique showcases the power of perspective and the importance of having a positive outlook on life.
His poem "The Lost Generation" continues to inspire and captivate readers, leaving a lasting impact on those who encounter it.
What contest did Jonathan Reed's poem "The Lost Generation" participate in, and what was its outcome?
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Unlock now 🔓Back Questions - The Lost Generation | My English Folder Coursebook | Literature | English | Class 6
I am part of a lost generation
And I refuse to believe that
I can change the world .
- Why does the poet think he cannot change the world?
- What is the hidden message in these lines?
And I refuse to believe that
I can change the world .
- The speaker declares that they "refuse to believe that [they] can change the world" and that their peers are "apathetic and lethargic," suggesting a deep sense of hopelessness and resignation. The reasons why the speaker may be related to a sense of disconnection from larger societal and political structures, a lack of faith in institutions or leaders, and a feeling of powerlessness in the face of complex global challenges such as environmental degradation and social inequality. The speaker may also be expressing a broader sense of generational disillusionment or cynicism that is common among young people who feel that their voices and perspectives are not being heard or valued by the wider society.
- The hidden message in these lines is a sense of disillusionment and pessimism about the ability of the speaker's generation to effect meaningful change in the world. The speaker is expressing a lack of faith in their own agency and capacity to make a difference, perhaps due to a perceived lack of support or resources, or a feeling of disconnection from larger societal structures and institutions.
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‘Money will make me happy.’
So in thirty years I will tell my children
They are not the most important thing in my life
- Why does the poet associate the possession of money with feeling happy?
- What is the poet’s true intention for his children?
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Sign up nowMy generation is apathetic and lethargic.
It is foolish to presume that
There is hope.
- What does the poet expect from his generation?
- Is the poet cynical or hopeful about his generation? Why?
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Sign up nowWhat are the poet’s concerns for his generation? How valid are these concerns?
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Sign up nowWhat happens to the meaning of the poem when you follow the poet’s instruction to read the poem backwards?
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Sign up nowThe last line of the poem
And All of this will come true
Unless we choose to reverse it
is like a warning for the present generation. Why does the poet feel there is a need to warn his generation?
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Sign up nowComment on the title of the poem ‘The lost Generation’. (Remember the phrase was used for a very talented set of artists and writers.)
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Sign up nowThe poet shares his vision of the world through this poem. What do you think your life would be like when you turn fifty years old?
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Sign up nowWhy do we need to make the world a better place? How can an individual help in realizing this goal?
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Sign up nowSummary - The Lost Generation | My English Folder Coursebook | Class 6 Literature | English
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Back Exercises - The Lost Generation | My English Folder Coursebook | Literature | English | Class 6
Below are two stanzas from two different poems. Each of them uses irony to make a point. Explain the irony in the stanzas in 100 to 120 words.
Day after day, day after day,
We stuck, nor breath nor motion; As idle as a painted ship
Upon a painted ocean.
Water, water, every where,
And all the boards did shrink; Water, water, every where,
Nor any drop to drink.
(S. T. Coleridge, 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner')
A lizard named Ed is asleep in his bed,
And his smelly old sock has been stuck to the wall.
Whosever room this is should be ashamed!
Donald or Robert or Willie or Huh? You say it's mine? Oh, dear, I knew it looked familiar!
(Shel Silverstein, 'Messy Room')
- The irony in these stanzas from 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' lies in the paradoxical situation the sailors find themselves in. They are surrounded by water, which is traditionally a symbol of life and sustenance, yet it only intensifies their suffering. The water is described as a "painted ocean," implying it is lifeless and stagnant. Despite being surrounded by water, the sailors cannot drink it because it is saltwater, which is undrinkable and would only worsen their dehydration. Their ship, too, is described as "idle as a painted ship," emphasizing the helplessness and inaction in the face of the vast, undrinkable water. The stanzas highlight the cruel irony of being surrounded by the very thing they desperately need, yet it remains unusable and inaccessible to them.
- The irony in these stanzas from Shel Silverstein's 'Messy Room' lies in the narrator's judgmental attitude towards the owner of the room, only to realize in the end that it is their own room. The narrator expresses disgust at the messy state of the room, blaming and shaming the person who should be responsible for it. They list possible names, trying to identify the owner, but are suddenly confronted with the fact that the room is their own. The irony is that the narrator, who was so quick to judge and criticize, is actually the culprit behind the mess they were condemning. This realization forces the narrator to confront their own hypocrisy and reassess their initial judgments.
It is likely that something ironic has happened to you or someone you know. Write about it in 100 to 120 words.
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Sign up nowWrite about the inherent irony in the poem in your own words.
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Sign up nowThemes - The Lost Generation | My English Folder Coursebook | Class 6 Literature | English
🔀 Reversal of Perspective
The poem "The Lost Generation" utilizes a unique structure that reverses its message when read backward. This highlights the importance of perspective in understanding generational issues. The poem initially presents a negative outlook on the younger generation, but when read in reverse, it offers a more optimistic view. This theme emphasizes that a shift in perspective can drastically change one's understanding of a situation.
🧬Generational Differences
The poem addresses the perceived differences between older and younger generations. It highlights the negative stereotypes often attributed to the younger generation, such as laziness, entitlement, and lack of respect for their elders. However, the reverse reading of the poem also showcases the ...
What is the primary theme emphasized by the unique structure of the poem "The Lost Generation"?
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Unlock now 🔓Poetic Devices - The Lost Generation | My English Folder Coursebook | Class 6 Literature | English
- Reverse Poetry: The poem is written in a way that it can be read both forwards and backwards, with the message changing when read in reverse. This technique is used to create a contrast between the negative and positive perspectives on life and the future.
- Repetition: Certain lines and phrases are repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the key messages and ideas. For example, the repeated use of "I am" highlights the speaker's self-identification with the generation being discussed.
- Parallelism: The poem uses parallel structures, like ...
Which poetic technique is used to create a contrast between the negative and positive perspectives on life and the future in this poem?
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This poem does not explicitly use traditional symbols. However, several ideas and concepts could be seen as symbolic:
“Lost Generation”: This phrase can represent ....
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Unlock now 🔓Vocabulary - The Lost Generation | My English Folder Coursebook | Class 6 Literature | English
- Priorities – something that is regarded or treated as more important than others
In her work, she always prioritizes tasks based on their importance and urgency. - Quick fix society – a society where people find an easy remedy or solution, especially a temporary one which fails to address underlying problems
The quick-fix society we live in often seeks immediate solutions without addressing the root causes of problems. - Concede – admit or agree that something is true after first denying or resisting it
After a long debate, he .............................
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