Essays on My Papa's Waltz

“My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke is a poem that tells a story of a young boy who looks up to his father despite his father’s actions and character. This is a common situation in society, as young boys are raised with a father as...

In “My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke, the interpretation of the poem depends on the readers perspective. It is a great poem that can mean many different things to many different people. Some people think that this poem is one of a happy exchange between...

High upon a pedestal sits a rough and ragged man. With calloused hands and skin of leather, to most he is nothing more than an ordinary laborer, but to the small eyes tracking his every move he is a king. His dirty ball cap is...

There is a variety of abuse that takes place around the world, such as mental, physical, and verbal abuse. However, between 960,000 and 3,000,000 incidents of domestic violence are reported each year, while many other incidents go unreported. It’s estimated that more than ten million...

Family relationships are meaningful and complicated at the same time. Every relationship is different. One special relationship is between a father and his child. Poetry is an excellent way to portrait this relationship. Both Robert Hayden’s poem “Those Winter Nights” and Theodore Roethke’s poem “My...

Judith Lewis Herman, an American psychiatrist, said “Many abused children cling to the hope that growing up will bring escape and freedom.” This quote seems to ring-true in “My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke. My Papa’s Waltz is one of Theodore Roethke’s most widely known...

Within the lines of Theodore Roethke’s “My Papa’s Waltz” a playful experience between father and son can be misinterpreted, while the mother watches in anger. The content is presented in a happy and childish manner, which can lead one to believe that a child is...

Theodore Roethke’s poem “My Papa’s Waltz” is told from a perspective of a young child who has to experience the drunken actions of his father. This poem touches on the issue of child abuse as the poem goes on to describe the acts of violence...

Depending on a person’s personality, background, mindset, etc. , they can see some things in the complete opposite way of another. A prime example of this is the poem by Theodore Roethke titled “My Papas Waltz”. The poem, depending how one can interpret the situation,...

Both the speakers in “The Gift” by Li-Young Lee and “My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke look up to their fathers with wide-eyed admiration. Comparing these two poems, we can say that what stands out the most is the similar theme – each boy has...

Looking past the negativity someone or something provides is a struggle humans can encounter in life. It can be difficult to still appreciate someone when all they do is cause you and others pain. In “My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke, a son describes specific...

The American writer, Roger Gould once said, “Deep inside us, we know what every family therapist knows: the problems between the parents become the problems within the children.” This sad reality can be shown in Theodore Roethke’s poem “My Papa’s Waltz’, which is focused on...

In Theodore Roethke’s “My Papa’s Waltz”, the author is reflecting on his childhood experience involving his father while capturing the theme of parental abuse, through the use of symbolism and other literary devices. Peculiar characters are always considered in Literature, especially when examining the influence...

Maintaining a family can be difficult. In many instances, fathers have to work countless hours to keep their family afloat. Therefore, they rarely have time to interact and bond with their families which creates problems among them forming a happy relationship with their children. The...

Parents are among the most important individuals in the lives of young children. From birth, children are learning and depending on mothers and fathers, to protect and care about them. Turning into a parent is generally a welcomed event, however now and again, parents’ lives...