Diction In Those Winter Sundays

Love Should be Acknowledged

It is in the human nature that parental figures care for their children with an indescribable amount of love. Although in many cases, children are often unaware of the love presented to them. In “Those Winter Sundays” by Robert Hayden, the poet’s simple and specific diction with repetitive syntax reveal his regretfulness about the distant relationship he shared with his father, showing he has come to realization too late.

Hayden applies simple diction to convey a tone of sadness about the lack of love he has demonstrated to his father. When Hayden reflects on the duties his father had, he writes, “No one ever thanked him” (5). Even though the father has completed many duties in order to provide Hayden with

basic necessities, the words “no one ever” emphasize the fact that no one in the family gave appreciation or gratitude toward the father’s actions.

Instead of applying sophisticated words to demonstrate Hayden’s own remorse, the simple diction in this quotation directly reveals his sorrow for being oblivious to the love presented. One can clearly feel his regret for not being thankful of his father’s actions. Additionally, Hayden uses specific diction in another stanza further demonstrating his grief over not acknowledging his father’s concerns. When Hayden describes his father polishing shoes for the family, he writes, “What did I know/of love’s austere and lonely offices” (13-14). The words “love’s austere and lonely offices” imply that love can be tough and lonely, yet the duties that come with love are often performed silently, with no desire of anyone returning the love. Additionally, this unconditional love is performed day-to-day for one’s loved ones even

under difficult circumstances. Instead of simply describing love as tough and lonely, the author’s specific word choice implies many different definitions of what love could be. By reflecting on the different aspects of love his father has given to him using specific diction, Hayden again creates a regretful tone in his poem. Moreover, Hayden uses repetitive syntax in the poem to further display his misery about the cold relationship he shared with his father.
Apart from the use of diction, Hayden also applies repetitive syntax to further develop a regretful tone in his poem.

When Hayden describes the hardships his father has been through, he writes, “What did I know/What did I know” (13). The repetition of “what did I know” shows how clueless Hayden was as a child, as he realizes now he knew nothing back then about the concept of love and what it means to love a person. The repetitive syntax found in this line also emphasize the guilt the author feels as he criticizes himself for his own blindness to his father’s dedication and commitment. Furthermore, the repetition also implies a variety of negative emotions that the author may feel, varying from regret to despair. Next, Hayden uses a different repetitive syntax in the two stanzas to demonstrate his reflection on his father’s continuous hard work, and perhaps the regret he now perceives as a grown man. When Hayden discusses all the chores his father has performed in the household, he writes, “and put his clothes on the blueblack cold” (2) with “and polished my good shoes as well” (12). The repetition of “and” implies that even though the father has performed many tasks for the family, he did more and more in order to enhance the quality of his family’s lives. Many individuals do just enough to provide for their families, yet Hayden’s father goes beyond of what is expected from parental figures in order to display his love and devotion for his son. As Hayden is reflecting on

all the different responsibilities his father had using repetitive syntax, Hayden is also setting a regretful tone in the poem.
Individuals should acknowledge the unconditional love and dedication their loved ones have for them. People tend to ignore those actions their loved ones take in order to protect and shelter them. Hayden reminds readers that they should recognize the love given to them even if the love is performed silently. After all, it is important to recognize the love one is given before all is left is regret.