Analysis Of My Papa's Waltz By Theodore Roethke

Abuse can change a person's life in many ways. While the subject of the poem “My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke has spurred passionate academic debate from professors, scholars, and students alike, the imagery, syntax, and diction of the poem clearly support the interpretation that Roethke writes “My Papa’s Waltz” to express his remembrance of his dad despite the abuse. In discussions of “My Papa’s Waltz,” one controversial issue has been the author's choice of words. On the one hand, some readers argue that this is a fond memory. On the other hand, many readers contend that the poem is about abuse. However, after deconstructing the poem, it becomes undoubtedly clear that “ My Papa's Waltz” is about abuse. The author's diction in “My Papa's Waltz” interpretation implies abuse. For instance, in stanza one line three Roethke describes how he hangs on like “death.” This line helps prove the argument that the poem is about abuse. Roethke uses the words “ I hung on like death” to explain that he endured a rough time while he was being abused. For example, in stanza four line one the author describes how his father “beat time ” on his “head.” This phrase promotes the idea that his father is abusing him by “beating” on

For example, in stanza one lines one and three Roethke uses a rhyme scheme like the word “breath” rhymes with “death.” This line promotes the argument that his father abuses him because the word “ death” implies that a person is struggling in life. In stanza one lines two and four the author uses another rhyme scheme; the words “boy dizzy” rhymes with “not easy.” Further, the Roethke uses “boy dizzy” and “not easy” to imply that Roethke is struggling in life. In stanza three lines two and four Roethke uses words like “knuckle” and “buckle.” This line helps prove the argument that this poem is about abuse. In closing, Roethke uses syntax and imagery to emphasize his