While most people seem to drink in moderation, others have a hard time drinking responsibly. In society, the outcome of alcohol abuse can lead to physical abuse, mental abuse, loss of job, alcoholism, or even the breaking of relationships. In “My Papa’s Waltz”, the effects of a drunken father conveys both the fathers love for the child and the child’s fear of the overwhelming situation. The father is not truly abusing his son, however his binge drinking puts a strain on their relationship. In the poem, My Papa Waltz, Theodore reflects on his adolescent emotions of fear and also his unconditional love towards his father. This poem showed the emotions of fear and love through the use of word choice, imagery, and tone.
Theodore’s word choice …show more content…
For example, the poet remembers his father who was a hard worker, who worked in a green house. “His father and uncle operated a large and successful greenhouse. Sometimes Roethke’s father would stay up late into the night watering and otherwise tending to his plants” (Baird). Particular that scenario could come into play when his father would walk into their home after a long day’s work with scraped hands. His father was a strong and tough man and a good man who provided for the needs of his family. This was a story of a boy reminiscing about when his father had returned home from work one late evening. The story would put you into mind of after a hard day of work the father would go out with his co-workers at a local pub. He excitedly waltzed while entering his home, and proudly picked up his son, swinging him around in a dizzying waltz. “After a drink to relax, he would swing his son Theodore around the kitchen in a bearlike dance and then carry him off to bed” (Baird). Father and child playfully danced and wrestled in the living room. Hence, showing a joyous time during the waltz. Which would lighten up the tone of the poem by showing a kid dancing with a drunken father. But, the funny scenario is the expression of a mother getting peeved of what’s going on in her kitchen: “We romped until the pans slid from the kitchen shelf” (5-6).
Theodore’s word choice …show more content…
For example, the poet remembers his father who was a hard worker, who worked in a green house. “His father and uncle operated a large and successful greenhouse. Sometimes Roethke’s father would stay up late into the night watering and otherwise tending to his plants” (Baird). Particular that scenario could come into play when his father would walk into their home after a long day’s work with scraped hands. His father was a strong and tough man and a good man who provided for the needs of his family. This was a story of a boy reminiscing about when his father had returned home from work one late evening. The story would put you into mind of after a hard day of work the father would go out with his co-workers at a local pub. He excitedly waltzed while entering his home, and proudly picked up his son, swinging him around in a dizzying waltz. “After a drink to relax, he would swing his son Theodore around the kitchen in a bearlike dance and then carry him off to bed” (Baird). Father and child playfully danced and wrestled in the living room. Hence, showing a joyous time during the waltz. Which would lighten up the tone of the poem by showing a kid dancing with a drunken father. But, the funny scenario is the expression of a mother getting peeved of what’s going on in her kitchen: “We romped until the pans slid from the kitchen shelf” (5-6).