A Diverted Tragedy

By James Whitcomb Riley

Ballad
     Gracie wuz allus a careless tot;         But Gracie dearly loved her doll,          An' played wiv it on the winder-sill      'Way up-stairs, when she ought to not,         An' her muvver telled her so an' all;          But she won't mind what she say - till,      First thing she know, her dolly fall         Clean spang out o' the winder plumb          Into the street! An' here Grace come      Down-stairs, two at a time, ist wild      An' a-screamin', "Oh, my child! my child!"      Jule wuz a-bringin' their basket o' clo'es         Ist then into their hall down there, -          An' she ist stop' when Gracie bawl,         An' Jule she say "She ist declare      She's ist in time!" An' what you s'pose?          She sets her basket down in the hall,      An' wite on top o' the snowy clo'es         Wuz Gracie's dolly a-layin' there          An' ist ain't bu'st ner hurt a-tall!      Nen Gracie smiled - ist sobbed an' smiled -      An' cried, "My child! my precious child!"

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem is a masterful exploration of the complexities of childhood innocence and the devastating consequences of carelessness. The speaker's use of a childlike dialect and narrative voice creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy, drawing the reader into the world of the two young children, Gracie and Jule. The poem's structure, with its short, simple sentences and irregular lineation, mirrors the unstructured and unpredictable nature of childhood. The meter, largely improvisational, adds to the sense of spontaneity and urgency. A structural turn occurs when the poem shifts from Gracie's frantic and destructive behavior to Jule's calm and practical response, exemplified by the image of Jule setting her basket down in the hall and finding Gracie's doll unharmed. This tonal shift highlights the stark contrast between the chaos of childhood and the measured response of adult caregivers. The poem's final line, with its repetition of my child and the emphasis on Gracie's preciousness, underscores the deep emotional bond between the two girls and the devastating consequences of Gracie's actions.

Understanding Ballads

A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music, that has been a cornerstone of storytelling across various cultures. Traditionally passed down orally, ballads are known for their rhythmic structure and often tell tales of love, adventure, and heroism.

Ballads are characterized by their strong rhythm and repetition, making them both memorable and engaging. Here are some defining features:

  • Narrative Structure: Ballads typically tell a story, often a dramatic or emotional tale that unfolds in a straightforward, chronological order.
  • Quatrain Stanzas: Most ballads are composed of quatrains (four-line stanzas) with a rhyme scheme of ABAB or ABCB, which adds to the musicality of the verse.
  • Repetition: Refrains or repeated lines are common in ballads, helping to emphasize key themes or emotions and making the ballad easier to remember.
  • Oral Tradition: Many ballads originated from oral traditions, which means they were passed down through generations by word of mouth before being written down.

From medieval minstrels to contemporary songwriters, ballads have continued to evolve, remaining a beloved form of expression that captures the human experience in a way that is both poetic and accessible.