My Papa's Waltz By Theodore Roethke

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I agree with the author of “Theodore Roethke’s Unconventional Waltz” that the poem “My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke creates a negative feeling through the subject matter and descriptions. The author states “right ear scraped a buckle” (12) creating a dark and scary image adding to the negative feeling towards the poem. In this scene the boy is describing the father taking him and his right ears getting scraped by the fathers buckle. The author describes the scene as “The hand that held my wrist/Was battered on one knuckle;/At every step you missed/My right ear scraped a buckle”(9-12) This evidence creates a negative feeling towards the poem because the boy is getting hurt and abused by his father because his right ear is getting scraped by the fathers buckle, creating a scary image in the reader's mind adding to the negative feeling towards the poem. Also it says “The hand that held my wrist”(9) meaning the boy is powerless and the father is forcing his to go and follow him. Another reason is when the author chooses the word choice of “You beat time on my head”(13) Adding to the …show more content…
Some may think this way because they may see it as the father coming home having fun with his son making so much noise that the “mother's countenance/Could not unfrown itself”(7-8). Meaning they were making such a mess having fun the mother is telling them to stop. Also where it says “ You beat time on my head” (13) that may mean to the reader that they are having so much fun time passes by in a flash. Lastly where it says “Then waltzed me off to bed.” (15) meaning they danced so much until it was time for the boy (the son) to go to sleep. This may add to the joyful and positive feeling of the poem because everything they are doing together are good and

My Papa's Waltz By Theodore Roethke

Dance of Waltz Dance is an essential part of humanity. People from over the globe dance some type dependent on their country in culture. The beautiful aspect about dancing it show no discrimination. People from all ages, ethnicity, and background are all united in to one whenever dancing it involve.one dance in particular call the waltz is a former dance that was created back in the seventeenth century and is still being practice in modern day. Theodore Roethke author of “My papa’s waltz” is a poem…

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My Papa's Waltz By Theodore Roethke

I knew it was normal for my mom to always be around. My father was around sometimes, but that was always random. Other kids fathers lived with them, and would always be there for birthdays and other special events. I never understood why they always had a dad to tuck them into bed at night, or to chase away the scary monsters. The moments I did have with my father with special to me. I never wanted them to end. Like in the poem “My Papa’s Waltz.” by Theodore Roethke, he states “Then…

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Summary Of My Papa's Waltz By Theodore Roethke

The poem “My Papa’s Waltz”, is described by Theodore Roethke of how a young boy or himself was abused and beaten by his father. Within the poem Roethke describes with imagery of how it felt for a young boy or himself to be treated as a non-important human. It also explains how a drunk father becomes so intoxicated that he is unaware of his actions which are being taken out on his son. Since the father is so intoxicated he becomes unfocused of what his actions are causing him to do during the time…

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Summary Of My Papa's Waltz By Theodore Roethke

In “My Papa’s Waltz,” author Theodore Roethke vividly revisits a childhood memory with his father in mind as he tries dissolve a deeper meaning from his relationship between the two. The tone of the excerpt can be seen as both a maniacal but warm-hearted moment that takes place in a common household. Roethke's work can taken into many different points of views which puts metaphorical spin on the poem to keep the reader baffled. Many examples of this strategy can be found all throughout the passage…

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Interpretation Of My Papa's Waltz By Theodore Roethke

In the poem “My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke, the theme comes across as a family memory. The boy reminiscences on a childhood memory of the past with his father. The poem can come across as negative, positive, or both. In the first stanza he talks of his father’s breath smelling of whiskey, that caused him to become light headed and hang on like death. While death can be interpreted in a negative way, it can also be seen through a positive perspective. The negative side can be interpreted when…

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The Meaning Of My Papa's Waltz By Theodore Roethke

within, I notice my conclusion differs from my neighboring classmates. How is this so? The same text lies before us, while the same flow carries us from one stanza to the next. However, my mind forms the image of a beast, whereas they only see beauty weaved between each spoken word. The meaning of a poem takes the likeness of a snowflake; it’s indefinite and unique to the individual who reviews the material. One poem in particular that highlights this statement’s truth is “My Papa’s Waltz,” written by…

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The Mood Of My Papa's Waltz By Theodore Roethke

“My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke is a popular poem with contested meanings, but I personally think that the author himself has created a negative feeling to the poem based on negative words like whiskey, death, battered and beat which are found throughout the poem. In the beginning of the poem the poet used imagery and word choice to create a negative feeling based on the description of the image. These images may seem positive, but the words added a negative feeling behind the positive scene…

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Theodore Roethke Use Metaphors In My Papa's Waltz

every child longs for. In the poem “My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke, the narrator uses equivocal language to attempt to cover up his father’s drunken ways. The little boy is desperately trying to convince himself and the reader that he and his father are just waltzing around playfully. The poet uses metaphors, irony, and word choice to show the mix of emotions of fear and unconditional love between a father and his son. Roethke uses metaphors in “My Papa’s Waltz” to describe the relationship between…

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Summary Of The Poem By Theodore Roethke

Nostalgic Remembrance Influential American poet, Theodore Roethke, is deemed to be one of the most accomplished poet of his generation. Roethke spurs passionate academic debates among students, scholars, and professors in his controversial poem “My Papa’s Waltz.” In many discussions, the meaning of the poem has varied between individuals; some believe the author is writing of the abuse a child experienced from his father and others believe the child is reminiscing affectionate memories. Additionally…

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My Papas Waltz By Theodore Roethke

behavior. The poem, “My Papa’s Waltz,” was written by Theodore Roethke in 1942, first published in a magazine. The symbolism of a dysfunctional relationship between a father, and a son is revealed in the poem, “My Papa’s Waltz.” The time period of this poem was written in the 1940s, near the ending of the Great Depression. This resulted in severe unemployment, poverty, and an economic downturn worldwide. Alcohol emerged with drastic consequences within family households. Theodore Roethke was an American…

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