My Papa: an inspirational figure or the utter downfall of existence? “My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke is a poem about living with an abusive parent. For example, Roethke uses the word “romped” to describe a situation having to do with his papa. While the subject of this poem has spurred passionate academic debate from professors, scholars, and students alike; the imagery, syntax, and diction of the poem clearly support the interpretation that you can not resist caring for those that continuously hurt them; whether it is physically, or mentally.Although, it also expands on the fond memories of his beloved father. For example, mothers will not leave their husbands even when they know fully well that it would be the most beneficial solution.
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In the third stanza it also speaks of being “battered on one knuckle”. We can assume that this behavior is a result of alcohol because the poem also says “the whiskey on your breath could make a small boy dizzy”. This poem is meant to relate the experiences of how he might’ve walked on eggshells around his father, or “waltzed”. This is both taken literally and figuratively, though. Roethke sends the message that even under abuse, you can’t help but love.. The last sentence of the poem supports this idea when it states “then waltzed me off to bed still clinging to your shirt”, giving the impression that he can not contain the unconditional love.“My Papa’s Waltz” is written in the first person. The author uses the pronouns “I” and “me” as if he is speaking from experience. Furthermore, he uses a variety of literary techniques to convey his message. He uses the negative simile “but I hung on like death”. Primarily, he uses sensory language and imagery to reveal the reality of living with an abusive parent. Furthermore,the gorey words such as “beat, battered, and romped” are meant to affect the reader in a negative …show more content…
Vocabulary such as, “death, romped, battered, beat, caked, and clinging” show the vast contrast between the imagery chosen. These images created by the author amplify the link to negative connotation. What do you think of when you hear battered or beat? Personally, I associate it with domestic abuse. These expressions create vivid images in my mind of physical abuse. One of my teachers had brought out that one’s personal experiences affect the way they analyze each piece of literature. This poem doesn’t have one meaning because every person that reads it has a different outlook on life’s situations due to their lives. Others might not view the imagery as negative. Such phrases as “you beat time on my head’’ and “then waltzed me off to bed still clinging to your shirt” emphasize the little time he had with his father. These excerpts also portray the genuine joy the boy, or girl, had once shared with his
In the third stanza it also speaks of being “battered on one knuckle”. We can assume that this behavior is a result of alcohol because the poem also says “the whiskey on your breath could make a small boy dizzy”. This poem is meant to relate the experiences of how he might’ve walked on eggshells around his father, or “waltzed”. This is both taken literally and figuratively, though. Roethke sends the message that even under abuse, you can’t help but love.. The last sentence of the poem supports this idea when it states “then waltzed me off to bed still clinging to your shirt”, giving the impression that he can not contain the unconditional love.“My Papa’s Waltz” is written in the first person. The author uses the pronouns “I” and “me” as if he is speaking from experience. Furthermore, he uses a variety of literary techniques to convey his message. He uses the negative simile “but I hung on like death”. Primarily, he uses sensory language and imagery to reveal the reality of living with an abusive parent. Furthermore,the gorey words such as “beat, battered, and romped” are meant to affect the reader in a negative …show more content…
Vocabulary such as, “death, romped, battered, beat, caked, and clinging” show the vast contrast between the imagery chosen. These images created by the author amplify the link to negative connotation. What do you think of when you hear battered or beat? Personally, I associate it with domestic abuse. These expressions create vivid images in my mind of physical abuse. One of my teachers had brought out that one’s personal experiences affect the way they analyze each piece of literature. This poem doesn’t have one meaning because every person that reads it has a different outlook on life’s situations due to their lives. Others might not view the imagery as negative. Such phrases as “you beat time on my head’’ and “then waltzed me off to bed still clinging to your shirt” emphasize the little time he had with his father. These excerpts also portray the genuine joy the boy, or girl, had once shared with his