Casey at the Bat Essay Example

showing the reader Casey’s realization that he has one last chance to win the game builds suspense. Finally, Thayer uses the imagery of Casey’s mighty swing to build suspense. Thayer leaves the reader with the image of Casey’s swing without knowing whether or not Casey struck out or won the game. The author uses the words “shattered” and “blow” to mislead the reader. The poem says, “And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey’s blow” (“Casey at the Bat” 48). The reader is hopeful that Casey wins the game, but Thayer moves to a different scene, leaving the reader to wonder what actually happened.

In conclusion, Thayer uses imagery to build suspense when he hides the action on the field behind a cloud of dust, when he shows Casey’s change in attitude, and when he shows Casey’s change in attitude. Finally, he leaves the reader to wonder about the result of Casey’s swing. Therefore, Thayer combines the elements of imagery and suspense to illustrate the consequences of overconfidence.