How do you determine a character’s mood in a poem?

Casey at the Batby Ernest Lawrence Thayer

The outlook wasn’t brilliant for the Mudville nine that day…

In this lesson, you will learn how to determine a character’s mood in a poem by examining

how the character feels.

Let’s Review Poems have stanzas.

“Casey at the Bat”by Ernest Lawrence Thayer

The outlook wasn’t brilliant for the Mudville nine that day:The score stood four to six with just an inning left to play;And so, when Cooney died at first, and Burrows did the same,A sickly silence fell upon the patrons of the game. A straggling few got up to go, leaving there the restWith that hope that springs eternal within the human breast;For they thought if only Casey could get one whack, at thatThey'd put up even money, with Casey at the bat.

All of the stanzas

together make a story.

Let’s Review

A character’s actions show a character’s traits.

Casey ignored the pitch. Confident

A Common Mistake

Dinnertime AnticipationMeatloaf DisappointmentOpening Freezer HopefulIce cream! Satisfied

Mood can change!

A Common Mistake

Beginning

Middle

End

Core LessonCore Lesson

Mood is the way a person (you, a character, or the author) feels at a point in time.

AnticipationSuspense

Disappointment

HopefulWonderment

Optimistic

Core LessonCore Lesson

“Casey at the Bat”by Ernest Lawrence Thayer

The outlook wasn’t brilliant for the Mudville nine that day:The score stood four to six with just an inning left to play;And so, when Cooney died at first, and Burrows did the same,A sickly silence fell upon the patrons of the game..

How does the crowd feel? How would I

feel?

The team is losing.

Right now, the crowd is feeling hopeless.

Core LessonCore Lesson

“Casey at the Bat”by Ernest Lawrence Thayer

Then from the gladdened multitude went up a joyous yell,It bounded from the mountain-top, and rattled in the dell,It struck upon the hillside, and rebounded on the flat;For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat..

How does the crowd feel? How would I

feel?

Casey is up to bat. Right now, the crowd feels a sense of anticipation and hope.

Core LessonCore Lesson

Re-read a stanza of the poem.1

2 Ask yourself, “How do the characters feel? How would I feel?”

3 Jot your ideas about the character’s mood on a sticky note.

In this lesson, you have learned how to determine a

character’s mood in a poem by examining how the character

feels.

Guided PracticeRead the stanza below. How does the crowd feel

now? How would you feel? Jot your ideas about the mood on a sticky note.

The sneer is gone from Casey's lip, his teeth are clenched with hate;He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate;And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow.

Extension Activities

Pick a poem of your choice.

Read it carefully. Then, break it down by seeing how the characters feel in each

stanza. How would you feel?

Jot your ideas about the mood on a sticky note.

Extension Activities

In “Casey at the Bat,” the mood changes many times.

Why do you think the poet did that? How does it make the poem interesting?

Extension Activities

Think of 2 -3 moods that you could find in a poem.

Now write a poem where the character(s) change the mood!

Extension Activities

Watch the movie of “Casey at the Bat” online.

How does the action show the changing moods?

How does music show the changing moods?

Quick QuizQuick QuizRead the stanza below. How does the crowd feel

now? How would you feel? Jot your ideas about the mood on a sticky note.

Oh, somewhere in this favoured land the sun is shining bright,The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;But there is no joy in Mudville—mighty Casey has struck out.