
A waltz is formally defined as a dance in triple time performed by a couple who as a pair turn rhythmically around and around as they progress around the dance floor. However, in Theodore Roethke’s “My Papa’s Waltz”, the literal dance does not fit these standards. The speaker of the poem, a man who is recalling a dance he shared with his father as a young boy, describes the dance that took place throughout his childhood home. Early on, it becomes apparent to the reader that what is supposed to be a dance, is more like rough horseplay. The man describes that while the dance was hard for him to keep up with, he always continued on and clung to his father throughout the entirety of the dance. Roethke’s description and characterization of the father shows the reader that this “dance” is not exactly a positive experience for the young boy and in fact the dance may symbolize something much bigger. The word choice and somber tone created throughout the poem helps show that the literal waltz symbolizes the rocky relationship between the father and son. 

The author’s word choice and diction used throughout the poem proves that the waltz is not a positive experience for the son. Having only read the title, “My Papa’s Waltz”, the reader may assume this poem tells the tale of a sweet dance shared with a father. However, as early as the third line the dark wording sets a dull tone for the rest of the story and shows that this poem might not be so sweet. The introduction of the word “death” in the third line shows that this dance cannot be a completely positive experience. This word is used as the speaker explains his desire to hang on to his father while they dance. Death is something that is inescapable for all human beings, and so the son wants his presence with his father to be inescapable. This is interesting because in the following line the speaker states, “Such waltzing was not easy” (90). This quote shows that the waltz is not a favorable experience for the boy, in fact, it could possibly be a traumatizing experience. While describing the dance, the speaker even uses the word “romped”. This word is usually used to describe horseplay, and not a dance. He also points out that the dance was so rough that pans were falling from the shelves in their kitchen. However, regardless of how hard the waltz may be on him, he still has a strong desire to continue on with it. Furthermore, at the conclusion of the poem and the dance, the speaker describes his desperation to continue the dance with his father by clinging to his shirt. 

The description and characterization of the father shows that he is not a model figure in his son’s life. While the father is engaging in this dance with his son it becomes apparent that he has his many shortcomings. In the very first line of the poem the poem the speaker tells us “The whiskey on your breath/ Could make a small boy dizzy” (90). This opening line leads readers to believe that the father may have a drinking problem that affects his young son. It is also very interesting that the speaker can recall the smell of whiskey on his father’s breath from such a young age. His knowledge of alcohol at a young age shows how prominent of an issue it must have been in their household. The speaker also describes how the father’s knuckles were battered and his palms were caked by dirt. This shows that perhaps the father was not always present in his child’s life because he was busy constantly working in order for the family to have an income. Or perhaps his battered knuckle could allude to some violence occurring in their home. 

The descriptions of the dance show that it does not fit the standards of a waltz and may instead symbolize something much greater. Throughout the poem the speaker describes the dance that is occurring to be rough and quite challenging. He also explains that while this waltz is taxing, he still has the desire to continue on and share in this experience with his father. By using the dance as a symbol, the speaker is really alluding to his rocky relationship that him and his father share. The speaker even gives the reader proof that he is negatively affected by this relationship. He explains that throughout the dance his father misses many steps. These missed steps he is referring to are the many mistakes that his father has made throughout his life. The speaker also explains that when his father misses a step his ear begins to hurt as it scrapes against his father’s belt buckle. This symbolizes how his father’s “missed steps” or mistakes, truly negatively affect the boy. As the dance comes to a close, the boy still holds on to his father as if he wishes it would not end. The boy’s desperation shows that while he obviously does not have the best relationship with his father, he still clings to their relationship and the idea that he may someday change for the better. 

Roethke uses elements in a literal dance to describe the unusual relationship between this father and son. He also uses descriptive language when speaking of the father in order for the audience to understand that this relationship is far from typical. The speaker describes the dance to be rather challenging and at times it even hurts him to continue on with it. In other words, the son’s relationship with his father was not desirable nor was it easy to maintain. In fact, at times the father’s missed steps during the dance begin to hurt the child. The father’s missed steps throughout the dance symbolize the mistakes he made in his relationship with his son and the son’s literal hurt can be interpreted to be emotional distress.  However, throughout the entirety of the dance the son clings to his father, despite how challenging and how negatively it affected him. This shows that the son loves his father regardless of all the mistakes he has made and still believes that he must continue to fight for their relationship.
