Lines 1-2
The whisky on your breath
Could make a small boy dizzy;
• The title of this poem indicates that the poem is written about the father, and the son is the speaker.
• The father has been drinking heavily, as he always does, I assume. Judging by the poem, I would state that the father is an alcoholic. The speaker writes, “could make a small boy dizzy”. Explains that this is an all too familiar smell to him.
Line 3
But I hung on like death:
• This line indicates that the speaker; despite his obvious dislike for his father’s drinking, accepts his home life as it is.
• Stating “death” in the poem indicates this poem is not a fawned memory. It’s a dark memory.
Line 4
Such waltzing was not easy.
• This line wraps up the first stanza.
• …show more content…
Perhaps the child stated to his father, how much he didn’t like alcohol consumption. I think that the father was unpredictable while drinking.
• The fight took place in the kitchen, which gives you an idea where the setting is.
Lines 7-8
My mother's countenance
Could not unfrown itself.
• The speakers mother is now part of the poem. The mother seems like a “cold” person or “fearful” or possibly, doesn’t care period. I believe she is fearful. After all, if the husband attacks a young child, then the father must have attacked her as well.
• The word countenance gave me that impression. As a noun, it describes a person face as being facial expresses as being motionless, unable to express anything. As a verb, the mother could also be accepting of this encounter. Almost giving her blessing.
Lines 9-10
The hand that held my wrist
Was battered on one knuckle;
• In lines 9-10, I believe the speaker is stating that his father’s hand was injured. I visualize the fathers fist scuffed up and bleeding. Perhaps this happened as he was beating his son. I am also thinking that the speakers father punched the table or his mother. This may have started the brawl between the two of them in lines 5-6. This could also give an explanation about his mother’s
The whisky on your breath
Could make a small boy dizzy;
• The title of this poem indicates that the poem is written about the father, and the son is the speaker.
• The father has been drinking heavily, as he always does, I assume. Judging by the poem, I would state that the father is an alcoholic. The speaker writes, “could make a small boy dizzy”. Explains that this is an all too familiar smell to him.
Line 3
But I hung on like death:
• This line indicates that the speaker; despite his obvious dislike for his father’s drinking, accepts his home life as it is.
• Stating “death” in the poem indicates this poem is not a fawned memory. It’s a dark memory.
Line 4
Such waltzing was not easy.
• This line wraps up the first stanza.
• …show more content…
Perhaps the child stated to his father, how much he didn’t like alcohol consumption. I think that the father was unpredictable while drinking.
• The fight took place in the kitchen, which gives you an idea where the setting is.
Lines 7-8
My mother's countenance
Could not unfrown itself.
• The speakers mother is now part of the poem. The mother seems like a “cold” person or “fearful” or possibly, doesn’t care period. I believe she is fearful. After all, if the husband attacks a young child, then the father must have attacked her as well.
• The word countenance gave me that impression. As a noun, it describes a person face as being facial expresses as being motionless, unable to express anything. As a verb, the mother could also be accepting of this encounter. Almost giving her blessing.
Lines 9-10
The hand that held my wrist
Was battered on one knuckle;
• In lines 9-10, I believe the speaker is stating that his father’s hand was injured. I visualize the fathers fist scuffed up and bleeding. Perhaps this happened as he was beating his son. I am also thinking that the speakers father punched the table or his mother. This may have started the brawl between the two of them in lines 5-6. This could also give an explanation about his mother’s