How Does Theodore Roethke Use Syntax

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While the subject of “My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke has spurred passionate academic debate from professors, scholars, and students alike, the imagery, syntax, and diction of the poem clearly support the interpretation that Roethke writes “My Papa’s Waltz” to illustrate an affectionate memory of a dance between his father and his younger self. The nostalgic tone weaved throughout the poem’s creative structure and descriptions of his fond memory.
Imagery is the focus point for Roethke’s poem, and through descriptive words and various literary devices, it tells of a memory as a child. He creates vivid imagery using similes that depict a child dancing with his father, hanging “on like death, and hyperboles that describe the child and father dancing “until the pans slid from the kitchen shelf.” Although these phrases can be interpreted to have a perverse meaning, when in context, they portray the determination the little boy had as he and the father played roughly.
Through the use of rhyme, iambic trimeter and diction, Roethke is able to establish a connection between the poem’s syntax and subject. Line 13 details his father beating time on his head for their dance. Not only is it portrayed to the reader through his creation of imagery, but also through the poems meter and rhyme. The steady beat the poem creates when read aloud mimics …show more content…

Words such as, “death,” “battered,” and “scraped” could mislead the audience to interpret a more sinister poem; however, these words take on a new meaning when they are connected back into the poem. “Death” refers to the child holding on to his father to keep up with him; “battered” and “scraped” describe the fathers hard working hands propping up the small child on his feet so the could dance. These “negative” words only contribute to the overall endearing memory, rather than take away from

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