I always thought of my 2 uncles Tommy & Mike when I read this poem. Years after they passed away, I can still remember them (yes, with whiskey breath)playfully swinging me around and laughing when I was a little kid. It is a positive, loving memory for Roethke, and evoked positive loving memories for me.
This poem is certainly NOT about abuse. I've loved this poem for 40 years. Why would the kid be clinging to his father's shirt? Because he did not want the dance to end. I wish I could dance a rough dance with my long gone father and a close gentle one with my dear sweet mother. Now that would be as good as heaven.
Everybody argues about the "right" interpretation of this poem. It's just one of the things that makes it interesting as a work of art. It's odd that we believe we need one correct reading, preferably endorsed by the author.
In each verse, there are three lines which are close to waltz rhythm and one line that stumbles. Like they get to waltzing pretty well then trip or bump into something. .
My analysis of the poem is very similar. I think it is very positive. It can be negative for some, but one's interpretation comes mostly from personal experience, culture, and stereotyping. Very nice.
I thought it was about a father who's had a drink and picks his son up to have a dance. "at every step you missed my right ear scraped a buckle" he's a kid who's height put his where his head/ear would be at his father's waist-buckle. like a kid stepping on their father's feet to dance.
I completely agree with him. I didnt see it as abuse... i saw it as a father and daughter (probably because i'm a girl. The writer of the poem does not have to be the speaker of the poem) having a dance after dad comes home from work... It is very much like me and my father.
@dkhesh I agree about the love of a father. It's sort of sad because the father is tired, and his hands are hard. There are bruises on his knuckles. All these are signs of a hard working man. This dear son seems to need more time with him because he comes home so late. It's a touching poem. On the other hand, you sexist comment, I do not agree on, since I am a woman. Also the professor who introduced and helped me analyze this poem is a woman and feminist. Don't be sexist.
A professor at Santa Monica College would like to use this video in their class but it needs to be captioned. Automatic captions are not accurate enough since the professor has a deaf student. May we have permission to download and caption? Thanks Tom Peters
concernation? he just made up a word. if he meant countenance. you can't feel countenance. Its a facial expression, its can mean many facial expressions, which was sadness and anger which the mother showed by frowning.
!["My Papa’s Waltz": Analysis of The Poem by Theodore Roethke [Free Essay Example]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/oEBpOCKs9vU/mqdefault.jpg)
Beautiful, deep poem. I can only imagine what that feels like as a child.
I love this poem! I agree with Mr. Fields. I believe that Roethke was talking about a fond memory.
Thank you... I also agree, added to a playlist...
I always thought of my 2 uncles Tommy & Mike when I read this poem. Years after they passed away, I can still remember them (yes, with whiskey breath)playfully swinging me around and laughing when I was a little kid. It is a positive, loving memory for Roethke, and evoked positive loving memories for me.
I agree with you : it’s about love.
This poem is certainly NOT about abuse. I've loved this poem for 40 years. Why would the kid be clinging to his father's shirt? Because he did not want the dance to end. I wish I could dance a rough dance with my long gone father and a close gentle one with my dear sweet mother. Now that would be as good as heaven.
Everybody argues about the "right" interpretation of this poem. It's just one of the things that makes it interesting as a work of art. It's odd that we believe we need one correct reading, preferably endorsed by the author.
Beautiful poem, and I concur with your thoughts on it.
In each verse, there are three lines which are close to waltz rhythm and one line that stumbles. Like they get to waltzing pretty well then trip or bump into something. .
My analysis of the poem is very similar. I think it is very positive. It can be negative for some, but one's interpretation comes mostly from personal experience, culture, and stereotyping. Very nice.
I thought it was about a father who's had a drink and picks his son up to have a dance. "at every step you missed my right ear scraped a buckle" he's a kid who's height put his where his head/ear would be at his father's waist-buckle. like a kid stepping on their father's feet to dance.
I completely agree with him. I didnt see it as abuse... i saw it as a father and daughter (probably because i'm a girl. The writer of the poem does not have to be the speaker of the poem) having a dance after dad comes home from work... It is very much like me and my father.
@ChushiSushi
Reeeeallllllllllly? It can't be about the dance? Not possible?
The beat of the words....very 1, 2, 3
@dkhesh I agree about the love of a father. It's sort of sad because the father is tired, and his hands are hard. There are bruises on his knuckles. All these are signs of a hard working man. This dear son seems to need more time with him because he comes home so late. It's a touching poem. On the other hand, you sexist comment, I do not agree on, since I am a woman. Also the professor who introduced and helped me analyze this poem is a woman and feminist. Don't be sexist.
um...wow
A professor at Santa Monica College would like to use this video in their class but it needs to be captioned. Automatic captions are not accurate enough since the professor has a deaf student. May we have permission to download and caption? Thanks Tom Peters
concernation? he just made up a word. if he meant countenance. you can't feel countenance. Its a facial expression, its can mean many facial expressions, which was sadness and anger which the mother showed by frowning.
no, he said consternation. it means a feeling of anxiety or distress.