Children look up to their parents, they are the first people to teach them in life. Parents are a child’s first role model and their actions impact the future of their children. The relationship between the boy and his father can be seen as very innocent until the reader takes a closer look. Theodore Roethke uses imagery to paint a clearer picture of the toxic relationship. The boy views his father as an idol, but his father is ruining is son’s perception of relationships by exposing him to his negative behaviors. The young boy is characterized as being innocent, just like every child. Since the son tells the story he unintentionally characterizes his father as a negative and controlling figure, worrying the reader. In “My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke the use of imagery and characterization develop the overall theme of the importance of childhood memories while exemplifying the importance of relationships between parents and their children.

Images are often times extremely important in trying to develop and portray a particular idea to the audience. The reader needs a clear picture therefore they are able to feel as if they too are a part of the story. Theodore Roethke uses imagery to make a direct connection with the reader, which directly conveys the importance of childhood relationships. Children have a unique view on the world and the things they view as being normal or ordinary can be alarming to more cultured individuals. A relationship between a father and son is one of a kind and could never be replaced. “Then waltzed me off to bed, still clinging to his shirt” (Roethke 15-16). The small boy loves his father and wants nothing more to spend every minute with his father. He truly admires and looks up to his father as he does not want to let go. The reader is given a visual which shows the connection between the two characters. This relationship between the father and son seems normal until the reader takes a closer look at the text which portrays a toxic environment. The son does not realize he lives in a poisonous relationship because this is the only life he has ever known. “You beat time on my head” (13). Although the boy and his father are simply dancing, they way in which the father goes about this activity shows negativity. The word beat is alarming to the reader, which makes them look into the story further. The father is using his son’s head to keep in rhythm which is in return harming his child. The child thinks that this behavior, getting beaten by his father, is normal. He has a false perception of a healthy relationship which will scare him and continue the cycle when the son has kids. A healthy relationship is not being built between this child and his father, whom he aspires to be like one day. The innocent boy has a father who can be characterized as controlling and destructive. 

The negative characterization of the father suggests that the relationship is broken and the boy’s childhood memories are not positive. The father is characterized as being a drunk who is controlling that is harming his child. When people drink they are unable to think clearly and act appropriately, especially in front of children. The person the son sees is not one whom he should be proud of, but is the only version of his father he knows. “The whiskey on your breath could make a small boy dizzy” (Roethke 1-2). The reader also knows that whiskey is a hard liquor, which many believe is something a father should not be doing in front of his young child which portrays his irresponsibility as a parent. In addition to the type of drink, the fact that the boy can smell the whiskey on his breath further exemplifies that the father is not raising his child the right way. The boy should not be exposed to this behavior, however there is not another parental figure who is willing to step in which is because the father controls the household. “My mother’s countenance could not unfrown itself” (7-8). The mother is unhappy with the situation, but is not willing or able to speak up against this behavior. The reader can assume the mother fears her controlling husband and speaking up will only make the situation worse. Since the mother will not speak up and protect her child. As a result, the innocent boy thinks these relationships with his father are normal because they are the only things he has ever known. This irresponsible and controlling father continues to harm his child. 

In “My Papa’s Waltz” the imagery and characterization help exemplify the importance of relationships. The reader is able to visualize the relationship while picking up on the fact the father is physically harming his child. His behaviors are unacceptable however no one steps in to save the child. The child just assumes this is a normal relationship and accepts it because he looks up to his father and wants to be close with him. The controlling tendencies are showed because no one will step up and put an end to the drinking and abuse. This could be because the mother is being abused too, but she is allowing her son to live the same life. The theme of relationships is portrayed as the boy is willing to do anything to continue having a relationship with his father because that is all he has ever known. 
