Elements of a Ballad:
* Narrative: It tells a story, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. We follow the journey of Casey from hero to zero.
* Simple language: While the language is elegant and evocative, it's straightforward and easy to understand, making it accessible to a wide audience.
* Repetition: The poem features repetition of phrases and lines, like the famous "There was ease in Casey's manner as he stepped into his place," which creates a sense of rhythm and memorability.
* Focus on emotion: The poem captures the emotions of the crowd, the players, and even Casey himself – the excitement, tension, disappointment, and ultimately, humor.
* Dramatic climax: The poem builds towards a dramatic climax with Casey's final at-bat, which creates suspense and anticipation.
Departures from Traditional Form:
* No musical accompaniment: Traditional ballads were often sung and accompanied by music, whereas "Casey at Bat" is primarily read or recited.
* Lack of traditional rhyme scheme: While the poem has some rhyming, it doesn't follow a strict ballad rhyme scheme like ABAB or ABCB.
* Focus on humor: While traditional ballads often focus on serious themes like love, loss, or tragedy, "Casey at Bat" has a humorous tone, making it more lighthearted.
Overall:
Despite some deviations from the traditional ballad form, "Casey at Bat" possesses many of the key characteristics of a ballad. Its narrative structure, simple language, emotional depth, and dramatic climax contribute to its enduring popularity and its classification as a ballad.