There are numerous ways to convey the complexity of father and son relationships, many poets used their poetry to plead, pay tribute and to mourn. The poems "Those Winter Sundays" by Robert Hayden, "My Father's Hats" by Mark Irwin and Theodore Roethke’s “My Papa’s Waltz showcase a few of the dynamics within father-son relationships. Though there are differences these particular relationships, the common denominators of love, understanding, and care remain present.
"My Papa's Waltz”, by Theodore Roethke, provokes the reader to experience different ranges of emotion and interpretation. It represents a young son’s recollection of dancing a waltz with his father in their kitchen. However, unlike the traditional version of the waltz this particular dance was not at all graceful nor joyful. The similes used describing the father son waltz produce bellicose images. The son recalling that he “hung on like death” demonstrations great difficulty attempting to waltz with his father during his drunken, seemingly aggressive behavior as well as the great deal of love he held for him(3). The imagery is clear in mentions of the smell of whiskey on the fathers breath and how they clumsily this waltz had been; “we romped until the pans/slid from the kitchen shelf” (5-6).
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Initially, the poem employs a melancholy and critical mood. However, at the end of the dance, the son recalls not wanting to let go of his father’s shirt and being “waltzed” to bed reflecting a contrasting feeling of optimism. The end of the poem is most appealing; it clarifies that irrespective of how unorthodox this waltz was the son loved his father immensely. The metaphorical symbolism in this poem is the waltz itself, it is reminiscent of many father son relationships, they may attempt beauty but there will undoubtedly be a few rough times but ultimately, the love though it may not be displayed in the most ideal time, is ever-present. “Those Winter Sundays” by Robert Hayden is the perspective of an adult representing childhood memories. This poem reads as somewhat of a cautionary tale grounding itself in the guilt and regrets of the son’s failure as a child thank his father for his unselfish, unnoticed, and unappreciated acts. Imagery is utilized to convey the toll hard work had taken on father, Hayden writes; “With cracked hands that ached,” the father continuously worked hard six days a week and at home caring for his family on Sunday (3). All of which was unappreciated by his family; “No one ever thanked him” (5). The son further recalled the ways his father showed his love including starting the fire to pre-warm the house and shining his shoes. Metaphors are used as the son’s memories are elicited; his father went into the “blueback cold” (2). He laments, “I’d wake and hear the cold splintering, breaking” (6). Yet, the emphasis on the cold lends itself to be compared to the sons his treatment of the father as he behaves as coldly toward him as the winter’s air. The mood of this poem is sad and somewhat painful; evoking sadness for the lack of appreciation the father endured. There is a pain for the son who, as an adult looks at his childhood behavior with significant regret and remorse knowing it cannot be undone. “Those Winter Sundays” leaves the reader with curiosity and wonderment of how this relationship advanced; I conclude that the son did not show his father appreciation at any point. The appealing component of this poem is its insight into how the father son relationship dynamic can employ the adage of wishing one had known then, what they know now. My fathers hats In Mark Irwin’s “My Father’s Hats” a son is coping with the reality of a father’s death.
Irwin’s use of imagery lies in son’s sensory reliance when recalling his memories of his father; the darkness of the closet, the scent of the rain, earth and father’s hair and touch lead the son to a lonely place. It appears that the son is also trying to understand and question his religion in the wake of the death of his father. The metaphors in this poem are robust; it opens with “Sunday mornings” which has religious connotation (1). The reality and finality of the father’s death appears to set-in with the reference to the “godsome air”. The son then refers to his father’s death as “his fabulous sleep”
(16-17). This poem has a mournful, yet loving mood. The sons love and adoration for the father has led him to confusion, which suggests that he has not fully accepted his father’s death and has only his senses and memories in his place. Relationships between fathers and sons vary in complexity as much as individuals do. "Those Winter Sundays", “My Papa’s Waltz” and “My Fathers Hats” demonstrate very few layers of these relationships and the impact fathers have on their children’s lives. At times, this impact is seen with a particular event, as in “My Papa’s Waltz” or as children become adults (“Those Winter Sundays” and “My Papa’s Waltz”). Ultimately, everyday occurrences and interactions with their fathers left impressions on these sons. It is apparent that the authors have noted that, although shown differently and at times realized later, love is key in these complex relationships.
The most notable qualities of Theodore Roethke’s “My Papa’s Waltz” are the tone and language of the poem which convey the nostalgia adult author feels thinking about the time spent with his father. In the title narrator’s father is affectionately referred to as “Papa” making the impression that the main character and his father are close. The use of possessive pronoun “my” contributes to the overall impression that the father holds special place in the narrator’s heart. As word “waltz” in the title implies the poem gives account of the festive occasion in which the narrator’s father takes part.
In the poem “My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke, connotative language is used to convey the poet’s attitude toward the “Waltz”. The emotions and associations attached to a word provide it with a connotative meaning; rather than the literal meaning, which is the denotation of a word. The waltz is known to be a graceful dance; but, the diction the poet uses to describe this event shows otherwise. First, the poet says how he “hung on” to his father; suggesting that he was fighting to continue their dance, rather than being able to do so effortlessly. In addition, it is also said that they “romped until the pans slid from the kitchen shelf”. The connotation behind the word romp implies a noisy and boisterous ruckus; the opposite of what
While most of us think back to memories of our childhood and our relationships with our parents, we all have what he would call defining moments in our views of motherhood or fatherhood. It is clearly evident that both Theodore Roethke and Robert Hayden have much to say about the roles of fathers in their two poems as well. While the relationships with their fathers differ somewhat, both men are thinking back to a defining moment in their childhood and remembering it with a poem. "My Papa's Waltz" and "Those Winter Sundays" both give the reader a snapshot view of one defining moment in their childhood, and these moments speak about the way these children view their fathers. Told now years later, they understand even more about these moments.
My Papa’s Waltz has been compared to a generational litmus test. Depending on what generation the reader was born, could determine how the reader would interpret this poem. Each generation has its own views that have been developed in them for the language used to describe Papa in this poem. The whiskey on his breath and Papa’s hand beating on his head, both sound like a negative connotation. Depending on the experience of the reader, they can either be disturbed by these words or be drawn in closer to the poem. Theodore Roethke loved his father. Not only did he love him, but he idolized him and unfortunately lost him at an early age. This poem is a reflective memorial waltz written in iambic trimeter to honor his father and mother.
“Those Winter Sundays” by Robert Hayden, “My Father as a Guitar” by Martin Espada, and “Digging” by Seamus Heaney are three poems that look into the past of the authors and dig up memories of the authors fathers. The poems contain similar conflicts, settings, and themes that are essential in helping the reader understand the heartfelt feelings the authors have for their fathers. With the authors of the three poems all living the gust of their life in the 1900’s, their biographical will be similar and easier to connect with each other.
A. My Papa's Waltz. Literature and the Writing Process. Elizabeth McMahan, Susan X. Day, and Robert Funk. 6th edition.
For my poetry paper I chose to examine poetry from the family album. The family album stood out to me significantly because I thoroughly enjoyed all of the poems because I had a personal connection with it. Family has always been an important part of my life and I think this particular album speaks volume. This album has many levels to it, some deeper than others. I feel that from reading poetry, it expands our ability to think and form ideas that we would have not thought about before. Poetry gives readers the ability to make connections on a deeper level and see things from a different perspective. The two poems that spoke to me in this album specifically were “Those Winter Sundays” By Robert Hayden and “Begotten” by Andrew Hudgins. These two poems are both similar because they are from a son’s point of view, talking about their parent(s). “Those Winter Sundays” was one of my all-time favorite poems from this album because it shows a hard working father who is dedicated to his family, but does not get any recognition for his hard work.
Ultimately, the subject of “ My Papa’s Waltz” has spurred a passionate academic debate from professors, scholars, and students alike, the imagery, syntax, diction of the poem clearly support the interpretation that Theodore Roethke wrote “ My Papa’s Waltz” to illustrate on a past memory of his drunk and abusive father. The controversy of the poem itself is whether it is a good or bad memory. The use of negative imagery, syntax, and diction support this. Overall, with the explanation of the poem and the use of syntax, diction and imagery “ My Papa’s Waltz” was about Theodore Roethke’s drunk and abusive
The father in “My Papa’s Waltz” is portrayed by the narrator as one who neglects his responsibilities of ensuring safety and being a positive role model. Using many examples and implying this through writing techniques, the narrator represents the father in a way other than a loving dad. Despite the use of certain words such as “papa” and “waltz,” the overall connotation represented throughout the poem seems to concentrate more heavily on the negative aspects of the narrator’s memories. For these reasons, one can conclude that the poem aims to illuminate the immaturity and irresponsibility of the
While one reading of My Papa’s Waltz creates visions of a warm home and a cheerful family, a deeper reading creates a story of fear, abuse, and the effects of alcoholism. Roethke’s poem sends an important message about abuse. Victims of abuse often hide behind a happy, healthy visage, although the signs of abuse are glaring. My Papa’s Waltz shows how easy it is for victims of abuse to hide the truth of the horrors they face. Therefore, the poem sends the message that it is always important to keep a vigilant watch for the signs of abuse, for even the happiest tales can have darker
"My Papa 's Waltz," by Theodore Roethke 's, is a poem about a boy who expresses his affection for his father, but at the same time expresses a sense of danger that comes from the father. The poem appears to be a snapshot in time from a child’s memory. The uplifting experience is created through the father and son’s waltz while the father’s uncontrollable movements juxtaposes the menace of the drunken father.
Kennedy, X.J.; Gioia, Dana. “My Papa’s Waltz.” Backpack Literature. Fourth Edition. Terry, Joe. 2012. Longman, 2012. 393-394. Print.
Every parent in this world loves their children more than anything. Even the children can’t stay away from their parents for so long. Nothing in this world could be more precious than the love of a parent has for his/her children. Our parents are always with us no matter what happens. Often in life we make mistakes, but our parents give us supports and teach us to learn from those mistakes and move on with our lives. They also try to teach us from their experience. Parents always make sacrifices to provide for their family. In the poem “Mother to Son” by Langston Huges and “Those Winter Sundays” by Robert Hayden, the poets talk about how the parents are always making sacrifices to make their children’s life a little bit easier. Both of these poems reveal the struggle the parents go through in order to provide for their family.
Roethke's "My Papa's Waltz" is about a relationship between a father and his son. Beginning with the title, the author's meticulous choice of voca...
Many writers use powerful words to portray powerful messages. Whether a writer’s choice of diction is cheerful, bitter, or in Robert Hayden’s case in his poem “Those Winter Sundays,” dismal and painful, it is the diction that formulates the tone of the piece. It is the diction which Hayden so properly places that allows us to read the poem and picture the cold tension of his foster home, and envision the barren home where his poem’s inspiration comes from. Hayden’s tumultuous childhood, along with the unorthodox relationships with his biological parents and foster parents help him to create the strong diction that permeates the dismal tone of “Those Winter Sundays.” Hayden’s ability to both overcome his tribulations and generate enough courage