Theodore roethke s my papa s waltz is a fixed form poem of sixteen lines. To help you write a similar poem, i have found an excellent analysis of my papas waltz. According to the title, the speaker of this poem is a small kid, probably a little boy and it is directed to his father. In roethkes poem, my papas waltz, one possible theme is family. Oneneed notphysicallyabuseone s childrentogetaskinnedknuckle. By using this poem in a lesson encompassing struggle, students will be able to recognize the power of confessional poetry, and how its impact is lingering. The poem my papas waltz by theodore roethke is a work rich in ambiguities, which are shown through the language used in the work as. Analysis of my papas waltz posted on november 18, 2015 by alexiscomer within our family unit that we explored within our ap literature class, we analyzed theodore roethkes my papas waltz in order to grasp a deeper understanding of the true significance behind the poem. His father was often drunk and frequently made mistakes that physically hurt roethke. Nevertheless, many people can agree that the word choices made in this poem are intentional, especially because a poet needs to. In theodore roethkes my papas waltz the reader finds a horrid experience, the beating of a child by his father, which is told in a way of a romantic and beautiful dance the waltz. My papa s waltz the whiskey on your breath could make a small boy dizzy the whiskey on your breath could make a small boy dizzy the academy of american poets is the largest membershipbased nonprofit organization fostering an appreciation for contemporary poetry and supporting american poets. Summary daddys had a little too much whiskey, and now hes waltzing around the kitchen with his son.
The waltz connotes an easiness and grace, and the word papa is used which connotes an extreme closeness and admiration. The rhyme scheme in each stanza is abab and its rhythm is called iambic trimeter. You may have encountered the faerie queen by edmund spenser, or a. The word waltz has a sophisticated and dreamy connotation, and papa has an affectionate connotation. This form of confessional poetry is not only easy to read, but also can be a sad realization for students. On one hand, the poems speaker loves and admires his father, his. From poetry off the shelf september 2008 hear gwendolyn brooks read the mother and theodore roethke read my papa s waltz, with insights by exus poet laureate donald hall. But we think the better word for whats going on shows up in line 5 this father and son pair is not really waltzing, but romping. The child who began the dance with his father found the whisky smell on his fathers breath unbearable. My denotes the innate love, possessiveness and sense of belonging he experienced with his father. Readerresponse to my papas waltz click on the link below to read an essay responding to the poem my papas waltz, using readerresponse criticism. This my papas waltz questions worksheet is suitable for 9th higher ed. The relationship that is portrayed in this poem is especially between a father and a son.
They interpret theodore roethkes poem as it is, a dance. It was first published in 1942, then collected in his book the lost son and other poems in 1948. The poem for others evoked good memories in the past. Roethke created the rhyme scheme abab, cdcd, efef, ghgh. My papas waltz theodore roethke poem recited by poet he. In my papas waltz, theodore roethke examines the complicated relationship between a father and son. Elements of fiction and examples of use in my papa s waltz definition of allegory an allegory is a whole world of symbols. Other people believe that this poem is describing the abuse of a child and how torn up the family is. Summary and critical analysis when the narrator was young, he would dance around with his father. The poem shows a snapshot of the relationship between family members. My papas waltz questions worksheet for 9th higher ed. My papas waltz poem by theodore roethke poem hunter.
In this poem, roethke shows the reader the complicated relationship he had with his father when he was a boy. My papas waltz after reading questions from a close reading of this poem, it is obvious that the young speaker is enjoying a playful romp with his father around the house before going to bed. A seesaw tips easily, and my papas waltz is susceptible to the pressure of personal experience. My papas waltz poem summary and analysis litcharts. Symbols the word buckle can suggest another meaning other than just the use as a belt buckle.
Theodore roethke drew on his own relationship with his father to write my papa s waltz. This is not to say that ones personal experience must always be privileged in reading a poem. One can assume that the speaker is a young boy, or perhaps the poet reminiscing his youth. Also note that the title has the word my roethke could have simply phrased it as papas waltz. Aug 03, 2016 my papas waltz is written in four stanzas and there are four lines in each of stanza quatrains. My papa s waltz theodore roethke the whiskey on your breath could make a small boy dizzy. The poem was first published during 1942 in hearst magazine and later in other. The poem presents a three beat per line waltz, which helps as you reader to think about what the waltzing is symbolizing in relation to the father and son. My papas waltz by theodore roethke famous poems, famous. Night journey poem by theodore roethke poem hunter. At first glance, the poem describes a charming family scene. Theodore roethke hardly fits anyones image of the stereotypical highminded poetintellectual of the 1940s through 1960s. The feeling one get from reading this poem is that the narrator, at least at the time in which the. The father must be a guy who works with his hands, because his knuckles are rough, and he deals with a lot of dirt.
In a poem called my papas waltz wed expect to see some dancing. About my papas waltz such waltzing was not easy makes the story show that his father is not abusive just tipsey. Those who see the joy in the poem downplay the diction of violence. My papas waltz roethkes mixed feelings literature essay. Roethke uses this rhyme scheme to make it sound as if the poem is a waltz. Their waltz is pretty clumsy the pans are sliding from the shelf, and moms not too happy about that. Daddy s had a little too much whiskey, and now he s waltzing around the kitchen with his son. As you read, think about what this dance symbolizes in the. The memory described in my papas waltz is mostly positive. My papas waltz analysis literary devices and poetic devices. My papas waltz analysis my papas waltz is a short poem by a modern american poet theodore roethke. It was first published in 1942, then collected in his book the lost son and other poems.
The word dance can have many negative connotations. My papas waltz is written in four stanzas and there are four lines in each of stanza quatrains. An analysis of the tone in theodore roethkes poem my. The title of this poem gives positive connotations. In this poetry discussion worksheet, students respond to 5 short answer and essay questions based on the content and features of the poem my papas waltz, by roethke. Elements of fiction and examples of use in my papas waltz definition of allegory an allegory is a whole world of symbols. Each stanza is made up of four lines, which the firs.
My papa s waltz is about a moment in life of a family, mostly the relationship of a father and son. His relationship with his father occupied a large part of his writings. Jul 22, 20 my papas waltz theodore roethke poem recited by poet he uses waltz rhythm when reciting. And those who see the fear treat the figure and rhythm of the waltz ironically. Tpcastt for my papas waltz by theodore roethke tpcastt. Ap english project sorry about the two awkward pauses during the reading of the poem. The poem is about a young boy waltzing with his father. My papas waltz poem some language and images present a possibility of the presence of violence in my papas waltz poem. Roethke had innumerable choices for the title of his poem, so we must consider how differently we might enter into its reading if he had entitled it my papas dance. Conclusion of my papas waltz by theodore roethke mr.
Some common themes in literature are love, death, and. Other people believe that this poem has a hidden message of parental abuse. Mypapaswaltz,bytheodoreroethke bykerrymichaelwood createdon. If you pay attention the stresses in the poem follow a waltz rhythm. Others believe that there is love and hardship between the father and son. For example, an older man through the poem remembers his father who was a hardworking employee. My papas waltz by theodore roethke poetry foundation. The poem is about a specific type of dance, which is established thrice. Analysis of my papas waltz this poem has a kept form. In his poetry theodore reveals what he felt and has a great sense of showing his emotions, and feelings his father died in 1923. Nov 18, 2015 analysis of my papas waltz posted on november 18, 2015 by alexiscomer within our family unit that we explored within our ap literature class, we analyzed theodore roethkes my papas waltz in order to grasp a deeper understanding of the true significance behind the poem. Dec 17, 2014 firstly, the poet ends the poem with still clinging to your shirt.
A seesaw tips easily, and my papa s waltz is susceptible to the pressure of personal experience. My papas waltz theodore roethke poem recited by poet. Summary of imagery in my papas waltz 828 words 4 pages. Here is the analysis of some of the poetic devices used in this poem. My papas waltz was written by the american poet theodore roethke.
My papas waltz by theodore roethke the whiskey on your. Theme even though your loved ones might not always be there for you, you must understand that they try their best to do what makes you happy. May 18, 20 the last stanza of my papas waltz by theodore roethke summarizes and encompasses the full meaning and emotions conveyed in the poem. But he would continue with great determination in spite of. Through imagery, this poem gives the impression of hardship as well as love between a son and his father. It consists of four quatrains, each line being an iambic tritameter. Look back through the poem carefully and answer the following questions. His first book of poetry, open house, was published in 1941. Some people think that this poem is one of a happy exchange between a father and son. An analysis of tone in my papas waltz by theodore roethke. Analysis of poetic devices in my papas waltz poetic and literary devices are the same, but a few are used only in poetry. Imagery in my papas waltz essay 699 words bartleby. In the poem my papas waltz you would except that this poem is going to be about dancing.
In my papa s waltz, theodore roethke examines the complicated relationship between a father and son. Roethke s use of tone childhood experiences seem to be the ones that are recollected most vividly throughout a person s life. In literature, a theme is the underlying idea, main point, or topic. Firstly, the poet ends the poem with still clinging to your shirt. What is the general attitude of the speaker toward his father.
There is also the suggestion of physical injuries to the boy such as his scraped ear supposedly caused by his fathers buckle. Even though the poem speaks the cheerfulness of the child who is enjoying the waltz with his father, there is a sardonic tone to it. The dance in the poem, however, is jolting and awkward. My papas waltz theodore huebner roethke most of theodores poems were about his childhood memories in the greenhouse that his father and uncle owned. My papas waltz theodore roethke the whiskey on your breath could make a small boy dizzy. American poet, author, and teacher, theodore roethke in his ambiguous poem, my papas waltz, uses a form of bewildered nostalgia to remember his father and the relationship they had, good or bad. All cross my line of sight, then a bleak wasted place, and a lake below my knees. Still, the poem maintains a steady, three beat per line waltz the whole way through. My papas waltz by theodore roethke, famous family poem. Theodore roethkes my papas waltz is a fixed form poem of sixteen lines. At first glance, it would seem like this would be a poem about something grand or good. In the poem my papa s waltz you would except that this poem is going to be about dancing. Daddys had a little too much whiskey, and now hes waltzing around the kitchen with his son. Free explication my papas waltz essay exampleessays.
The last stanza of my papas waltz by theodore roethke summarizes and encompasses the full meaning and emotions conveyed in the poem. Bridges of iron lace, a suddenness of trees, a lap of mountain mist. On one hand, the poem s speaker loves and admires his father, his. In this poem it is unclear if the memories of his drunk father putting him to bed are happy or sad, abusive or merry, scary or sweet. My papas waltz is a poem written by theodore roethke 19081963. So much love and so much pain in a waltz only they can do. So therefore, the poem could be about his relationship with his father before he died. The poem for others conveys a message contrary to the first impression that i formed. Due to the fact that my papas waltz is such a controversial and ambiguous poem, it is particularly difficult to side with one interpretation of it.
Knowing this you might think that at the end when the poem says then waltzed me off to bed still clinging to your shirt that this means that when his father died, he didnt want to let go of him. It is, after all, about a father waltzing with his child. You may have encountered the faerie queen by edmund spenser, or a short. Readerresponse to my papas waltz introduction to literature. Born in saginaw, michigan, his father was a german immigrant who owned and ran a 25acre greenhouse. In this poem it is unclear if the memories of his drunk father putting him to bed are happy or sad, abusive or merry. Almost everyone can remember some aspect of his or her childhood experiences, pleasant and unpleasant alike. Could make a small boy dizzy but i hung on like death. Studying the poem my papas waltz english literature essay.
Tone of my papa s waltz in the beginning of my papa s waltz, the little boy, the speaker, starts off with a somewhat of a frightening tone in his voice. The poem was written in the 1940s and set in some earlier decade, and describes a scene from family life, when a tipsy father waltzes with his little son around the kitchen. Moreover, the poem is in trecet iamb, which causes the poem flow like. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. For readers, it is always controversial to determine what theodore roethkes poem my papas waltz conveys. Within a narrative form, which can be either in prose or verse, an allegory tells a story that can be read symbolically. Inspired by the poem my papas waltz by theodore roethke. There is also the suggestion of physical injuries to the boy such as his scraped ear. Elements of fiction and examples of use in my papas waltz. Starting with the title, my papas waltz discloses what the poem is about, a waltz, and with whom it is with, papa. Roethkes use of tone childhood experiences seem to be the ones that are recollected most vividly throughout a persons life. Essay on analysis of my papas waltz 680 words bartleby. He makes points to the odor of alcohol on the breath of his dance partner, in this case, his father.
Dec 16, 2012 to help you write a similar poem, i have found an excellent analysis of my papa s waltz. The use of the word papa rather than a more formal word, such as father, also shows that the speaker is. Besides, the dance was rough and it wasnt easy to carry on with. An analysis of the tone in theodore roethkes poem my papas. For instance, the two opening lines establish drunkenness. In a poem called my papa s waltz wed expect to see some dancing. Inspired by the poem my papa s waltz by theodore roethke. Readers either interpret the poem as telling the happy memory of a little boy playing with his father or as describing a scene of child abuse. Slid from the kitchen shelf my mothers countenance.
The whiskey on your breath could make a small boy dizzy. When roethke was a boy, his father would pick him up, hook him into the straps. My papas waltz is about a moment in life of a family, mostly the relationship of a father and son. We romped until the pans slid from the kitchen shelf. My papas waltz by theodore roethke poems academy of.