In the poem "My Papa's Waltz," written by Theodore Roethke, the narrator has views on family that is untold by the author. Roethke allows the reader to see from the narrator's eyes. The author uses great imagery to set a firm picture in the reader's mind. The reader then deciphers this picture and gathers views on the setting and tone of this poem. The author also uses symbolism and diction to assist in the reader's vision of the narrator's point of view.
             There are many times that the author focuses in on certain image that the reader can use to refer to the narrators views. The reference to these images is called symbolism. The reader can refer to line fourteen to reveal one image. It focuses in on the father's palm of his hand, which was "caked hard by dirt." This symbolizes the hard work that the father does each day. Line ten uses symbolism through the father's knuckle. Roethke refers to the father's knuckle as being battered. The symbolic representation of the knuckle coincides with the symbolic representation of the palm in line fourteen. The battered knuckle also suggests that the father is rugged and hard working. The author also uses the image of the mother to expose the rarity the father letting loose from his harsh and strong self. Lines seven and eight are the lines in which the mother becomes displeased with the father's cumbersome dancing. If the mother were familiar to seeing the father in this manner she would not have a reason to frown upon his moment with his son. Until this dance with his father the narrator has seen him as the harsh sturdy hard workingman that his mother did. He was finally allowed to see another side of his father that he could cherish.
             The author uses words and phrases throughout the poem to build up to the narrator's views on family. At the end of the poem the narrator feels that spending time with family is something ...