Casey at the Bat

How does the author's characterization of Casey reflect broader societal attitudes toward celebrity and fame?

• The gradual shift from admiration to desperation shows society's unhealthy dependence on heroes

• Casey's behavior demonstrates only personal flaws without broader implications

• The crowd's reactions are independent of Casey's celebrity status

• The poem focuses solely on baseball skill rather than fame

• Other:

What is the significance of the contrasting descriptions between Flynn/Blake and Casey in developing the poem's irony?

• The contrast serves only to establish character differences

• The descriptions show how talent correlates with confidence

• The initial dismissal of Flynn and Blake followed by their success, contrasted with Casey's celebrated status and failure, creates dramatic irony

• The descriptions are merely for entertainment value

How does the poem's structure contribute to its commentary on human nature?

• The building tension and abrupt deflation mirror how people build up unrealistic expectations

• The rhyme scheme simply makes the poem more memorable

• The structure has no relationship to the poem's meaning

• The length of the poem reflects the length of a baseball game

What role does the final stanza's shift in perspective serve in developing the poem's theme?

• It provides a happy ending to balance the loss

• It emphasizes the isolation of failure by contrasting it with others' happiness

• It shows that baseball isn't important in the grand scheme

• It merely provides closure to the narrative

What purpose does the crowd's behavior serve in developing the poem's themes?

• The crowd simply provides background atmosphere

• Their reactions show only their love of baseball

• Their shifting emotions and extreme reactions reveal themes about collective psychology and hero worship

• The crowd's presence is irrelevant to the themes

How does the author's use of pacing contribute to the poem's commentary on pride?

• The pacing is uniform throughout the poem

• The deliberate slowing of action during Casey's at-bat emphasizes his pride

• The quick pace reflects baseball's excitement

• The pacing has no thematic significance

How does the footnote explaining the term "Mudville Nine" enhance your understanding of the poem's setting?

• It suggests that Mudville is a real place with a historical baseball team

• It clarifies that Mudville is a fictional town, emphasizing the poem's use of imagination

• It indicates that Mudville is known for its successful baseball history

• It implies that Mudville is a metaphor for failure

How does the footnote defining "hoodoo" contribute to the characterization of Flynn?

• It portrays Flynn as a physically strong player

• It implies that Flynn is a bad luck charm for the team

• It suggests Flynn is an exceptionally talented player

• It shows Flynn as a team leader

How does the metaphor "a pall-like silence fell upon the patrons of the game" contribute to the mood of the poem?

• It creates a sense of relief and calm among the spectators

• It emphasizes the tension and despair felt by the crowd

• It suggests the game has come to an end

• It highlights the excitement and anticipation in the stadium

What is the significance of the religious imagery and language used to describe Casey?

• It suggests Casey has actual divine powers

• It's used only for poetic effect

• It ironically highlights the inappropriate elevation of athletes to god-like status

• It's unintentional and meaningless