My Papa's Waltz By Theodore Roethke

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Poetry has the power to convey a compelling meaning with even the simplest idea and gesture. It can also be interpreted differently based on the reader’s experience or personal connection to the poem. A prime example of this includes Theodore Roethke’s poem “My Papa’s Waltz”. In Roethke’s poem, the speaker recalls on a fond memory he has waltzing with his father. While much of the poem has subtle hints connecting to abuse, I believe that the poem simply reminisces on a joyous memory. The significance behind the poem concentrates on the idea of an everlasting bond between a father and son. Throughout the poem, the speaker uses elements of symbolism to recreate this fond moment in time. In the first stanza of the poem, the speaker states “The …show more content…

At a glance, these lines seem to recreate an image of a young boy waltzing with his drunken father. However, the speaker is indicating that he is hanging onto his father and that it is not so simple to let go of the memory of him. This conclusion can be drawn from the fact that the poem is written in past tense. This leads me to believe that the speaker is older now as he retells this memory, and that his father has since passed away. Additionally, in the second stanza the speaker explains “We romped until the pans Slid from the kitchen shelf; My mother’s countenance Could not unfrown itself” (Roethke). The second stanza goes on to show the father and son dancing without a care, while the mother stares in disapproval. In these lines the relation between the speaker and his father is shown to be loving and fun. As they danced throughout the kitchen nothing seemed to matter as they were having the time of their lives. Continuing into the third stanza the speaker notes that his father’s hand “Was battered on one knuckle”. Although this line seems to hint toward a negative connotation, …show more content…

Through harsh words such as; "battered", "scraped", "beat", "dirt" and "death, the speaker hints to a dark event, which could very likely be the death of his father. Although the speaker goes on the describe a cheerful event in the poem, there are remnants of hurt being evoked. Seeing that the speaker begins and ends the poem with him clinging onto his father, it may be that it is difficult for the speaker to come to terms with losing his father. Moreover, while the poem may be interpreted in two ways, the reason I chose to see it in a positive light connects to much of my

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