A Reader
A Reader’s Reaction to “My Papa’s Waltz” The poem “My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke is a “two tone” piece full of ambiguity. When readers approach this work they will arrive at one of two possible conclusions—that this is an adult’s reflection of a memorable and joyous moment with his father or an unsettling description of child abuse, using waltzing as a metaphor. On the lighter side, the first conclusion is of a sweet memory, which has evidence throughout the poem. The title “My Papa’s Waltz” gives a lighter tone to the piece. The word “Papa” is a warm and affectionate word for father. Also, “waltz” is considered a more “elegant” form of dancing, which is giving the poem a softer appeal. The adult remembers that his Papa had smelt of whiskey while trying to teach him how to dance. When waltzing, the individual recalls that they “[…] romped until the pans/ Slid from the kitchen shelf” (l . . .
This suggests the child is being restrained rather than partaking in a mutual activity. The child also states, “The hand that held [his] wrist/ Was battered on one knuckle” (lines 9-10), this is an interesting adjective to describe his Papa’s knuckle. The fact that they “romped” so hard that pans were falling suggests an aggressive act is taking place. The mother is watching the event with a frown on her face; one would assume if this was a joyous moment the mother would not be disapproving. The reader sees the child resembling death rather than life, possibly because he is being beaten to death. On the dark side, each piece of evidence that supports the first conclusion is refuted in various other lines. The individual could have chosen a less “negative” adjective to describe the knuckle (e. ” The child is then waltzed off to bed by his Papa after a difficult and playful dancing lesson. The individual also recalls his right ear being “scraped [by] a buckle” (line12). Depending on which words the reader emphasizes, the negative or the positive, there is no telling how one reader will feel when walking away from this little poem with not so little meaning. “The whiskey on your breath/ Could make a small boy dizzy” (lines 1-2) depicts a drunken father whose breath is causing his small boy to become dizzy. The ambiguity of the words and the ability to uncover a negative and a positive tone from the short poem allows the reader to derive their own personal message from the piece.
Common topics in this essay:
Papas Waltz, Theodore Roethke, papas waltz, tone piece, negative positive, individual recalls, adjective describe, boy dizzy, joyous moment, | 
Acceptance Essays
