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My papa's waltz personal analysis
My papa's waltz personal analysis
My papa's waltz by theodore roethke analysis
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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, and diction of the poem clearly support the interpretation that Roethke writes “My Papa’s Waltz” to delineate a fond memory he had with his intoxicated abusive father. The poem may be interpreted in different points of views which can lead the reader either with an abusive memory or a delightful memory. The poem has spurred some controversy based on the fact that people view it as child abuse when the child could get “dizzy” as smelling the fathers “whiskey” breath. As you grow in life and start to realizing how our childhood experiences will make impressions on us as adults. When Roethke wrote “My Papa’s Waltz” it shows a persona of an adult, mature thoughts and feelings are displayed rather than childish ones. Roethke grew aware that he was abused as a child, but did not clearly state that and left the reader with an unclear mind . Many lines indicate that he loved his father and tried to be with him …show more content…
although not knowing how intoxicated his father was. Being young and innocent and not realizing until he was older that his father would be intoxicated most of his childhood. Yet, loving his father for the time he was with him. In order to understand “My Papa’s Waltz” the reader will have to examine background information on Roethke to grasp the poem's significance. Since young Roethke did not have an easy life which caused him to developed abandonment and loss issues. When losing his father in cancer and his uncle in suicide he evolved self-esteem issues and strived for the acceptance of his peers . Later in the 1930s Roethke overcome bouts of depression and mental instability. Although, having his bouts of depression Roethke used those periodic incidents of depression for creative self-exploration. Therefore, he gradually improved his writing and it allowed him to "reach a new level of reality." Ultimately, Roethke background did have a significant factor that contributed in his writing “My Papa’s Waltz.” In “My Papa’s Waltz” it includes a great deal of imagery which informs many readers the idea of him being abused by his “papa.” The lines in the four stanzas identify the characteristics of an abusing father.
Helping the reader visualize what was occurring in one of his memories. When he smelled the “whiskey” on his father's breath it made him feel “dizzy” which makes known how intoxicated the father was to make his son feel dizzy by just smelling his father's “breath.” When they were waltzing some “pans” were sliding of the kitchen shelf shows how unbalanced and inebriated he was as they were “waltzing.” As well as, when the child “hung” onto his father like “death” could infer that he was afraid of losing his father and wanted to spend more time with him. Indeed, the poem has created many obscure points of views that could be interpreted either as a fond memory of him with his father or a abusive
memory. As I have stated, diction is a primary source of my belief that Roethke was being abused as a child. After all, Roethke did not clearly state if the poem was suppose to a memorable moment with his father or a child being abused. However, from his poem we can say he most likely was being abused due to the word choice in “My Papa’s Waltz.” When his father is holding onto his wrist he uses “that” hand instead of “your” hand which shows that he referred to it as something he didn’t like. As his father “beat” time on his “head” it could mean that his “papa” was putting years and experiences onto him that he was not prepared for. Overall, Roethke loved his father but as he grew he realized all the corrupt things that were done to him. In conclusion, “My Papa’s Waltz” is very sentimental piece of literature that confused the minds of many .“My Papa’s Waltz” is based on a fond memory that he once had with his intoxicated abusive father. As it progresses in the poem
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.
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.
Inevitability at one point in most of our lives we have to deal with some type of hardship. A lot of us have experienced first hand or known someone who has had the unfortunate experience of dealing with a close friend or family member who becomes abusive and aggressive because of drug or alcohol related problems. My Papa’s waltz is a poem that tells the story of a young boy dealing with an abusive father and a broken home. Despite the initial light atmosphere of the poem Theodore Roethke uses strong and powerful language to convey an underlined meaning to their dance. My Papa's Waltz is a poem of fear, all the more horrible because the boy is terrified and hurt by his father, even in play, yet he clings and hangs to him showing how strong he is despite his age and through his actions he illustrates his love and patience for his troubled father.
In the poem “My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke, the speaker is reflecting on a childhood experience involving his father. Some people assume that this poem is about a happy relationship between a father and son while other people assume that this poem emphasizes hidden messages of parental abuse. In my
Abuse is a difficult and sensitive subject that can have long lasting effects. These traumatic emotional effects are often intensified if the abuse happens at a young age because children do not understand why the abuse is happening or how to deal with it. There are many abuse programs set up to counter the severe effects which abuse can have. Even more, poets and writers all over the world contribute works that express the saddening events and force the public to realize it is much more real than the informative articles we read about. One such poem is Theodore Roethke’s My Papa’s Waltz which looks carefully through the eyes of a young boy into the household of an abusive father. Robert Hayden’s Those Winter Sundays is a similar poem from the perspective of a young adult reflecting back on the childhood relationship with his father and the abuse his father inflicted. These poems are important because they deal with the complex issues surrounding the subject of abuse and also show the different ways which children react to it. My Papa’s Waltz and Those Winter Sundays are similar poems because they use tone, imagery, and sounds and rhythms to create tension between the negative aspects of abuse and the boys own love and understanding for their father.
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
When one becomes a father, he undertakes many responsibilities: setting a positive example, enforcing discipline for misbehavior, overviewing the safety of his children, providing a loving atmosphere, and numerous other tasks. In Theodore Roethke’s poem, “My Papa’s Waltz,” the narrator reminisces on the memories of his “papa” through the metaphor of an aggressive “waltz.” Using descriptions of the father’s actions and the reactions of the mother, Roethke illustrates the situation with carefully selected vocabulary. These actions of the narrator’s “papa” can be interpreted as either positive and loving or as inappropriate and unnecessary. After a brief analysis of the poem, readers might assume that the narrator’s memories of his father reflect Using a strand of harsh words including “beat,” “scraped,” “battered,” and “whiskey,” the narrator suggests an idea of a harsh relationship despite any fond memories that were discussed.
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
Childhood experiences seem to be the ones that are recollected most vividly throughout a person's life. Almost everyone can remember some aspect of his or her childhood experiences, pleasant and unpleasant alike. Theodore Roethke's poem "My Papa's Waltz" suggests even further that this concept could be true. The dance described in this poem illustrates an interaction between father and child that contains more than the expected joyous, loving attitude between the two characters. Roethke's tone in this work exhibits the blended, yet powerful emotions that he, as a grown man, feels when looking back on this childhood experience. The author somewhat implicates feelings of resentment fused with a loving reliance with his father.
In 1908, the year this poem was written, child abuse was recognized internationally and the “Children Act of 1908” was put in place to attempt to minimize the occurrences. The narrator, a young boy in “My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke uses harsh and intense wording that describes the daily rituals of abuse within the household from the father that he characterizes as a dance. A large counter argument against this poem says that the narrator is speaking out of admiration rather than fear; that the narrator and his drunken father are merrily playing around by dancing together around their house.
“My Papa’s Waltz” is a poem written by Theodore Roethke describing a son’s memory of his drunken father. At the start of the poem, one might assume that it is a poem about how the father beats the son, but it does not specifically say that it is about domestic violence. It simply states that the father was drunk and that he and his son were “waltzing” around the house. To some, the act of “waltzing” is an act of love, despite the father being drunk. To others, it could mean that the father was abusive and was harming his son. As one continues reading the poem, one might question whether the poem is about violence at all.
Not only the words, but the figures of speech and other such elements are important to analyzing the poem. Alliteration is seen throughout the entire poem, as in lines one through four, and seven through eight. The alliteration in one through four (whisky, waltzing, was) flows nicely, contrasting to the negativity of the first stanza, while seven through eight (countenance, could) sound unpleasing to the ear, emphasizing the mother’s disapproval. The imagery of the father beating time on the child’s head with his palm sounds harmful, as well as the image of the father’s bruised hands holding the child’s wrists. It portrays the dad as having an ultimate power over the child, instead of holding his hands, he grabs his wrists.
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.
The poem "My Papa's Waltz" by Theodore Roethke's has a rhyme to it and repetition of words to illustrate a child's life. As well, the tone is happy and dark while talking about the child spending time with his father. The repetition of happy words is waltz and romped which shows his enjoyment with his father. The darkness that comes with the poem is he would get hurt in the interactions with him "The hand that held my wrist Was battered on one knuckle " even through this the child was happy to be with him. The four stanzas it has is not much but each line contains rhyme to keep the reader up on its toes.
In the late nineteen forties, Theodore Roethke emerged with a poem that has been the source of much debate. "My Papa's Waltz," is an account of a relationship between son and father. Alas, many readers who are exposed to this piece fail to note the love present in the connection of the characters. In an attempt to illuminate the author's true intention several factors must be examined. After several examinations of Roethke's poem as well as learning of his childhood it is evident that this poem does not suggest an abusive environment, but is an appreciative account of the love and playfulness between the characters. Therefore, a successful interpretation of this poem will look beyond the four stanzas and study not only the history of the writing, but the life of the poet.