Often times when we close read an essay, poem, or any form of artistic writing, we read too deep into the text, and therefore miss the point or idea that the writer is trying to convey. In “My Papas Waltz,” by Theodore Roethke, it is clear that the boy had an unsettling relationship with his father, the evidence is apparent. However, unlike most people, I do not believe that the Waltz is a symbol for an abusive relationship. I believe the waltz is an actual example of the boy being abused by his father. The speaker is simply retelling a vivid memory that he didn’t fully understand at the time, due to his young age. This “deeper meaning” we repeatedly look for in writing is usually not as deep as we would have hoped. A big aspect of any type of art is the ability to take a personal experience, like the one the boy had with his father, and to be able to express it in an organized way. The writer does so through using multiple types of figurative language, including metaphor, simile, and imagery. It’s very possible that the Waltz was a real story, and is just a good medium to display the father’s alcoholism and how it affected the boy and his mother.

The vulnerability of “My Papas Waltz” can give the reader a sense of uneasiness when close reading this poem. This is due to the fact that a young boy is being thrown around by his drunk father with the obvious disapproval from his mother. The speaker is looking back on an experience that he had when he was younger, that he may have not been able to completely understand at the time. Even though he may not have been able to completely understand the severity of what his father was doing, the boy was not comfortable waltzing with his father. He never once expresses one positive aspect about the waltz throughout the entire poem. He even opens the poem up setting the scene in a negative light by using language like “But I hung on like death/ Such waltzing was not easy” (Roethke 2-4). The writers use of simile, comparing the waltz to death in the first stanza, shows how negative the boys attitude towards dancing with his father, and really sets the scene for the rest of the poem. 

 The only person who understands what is going on in the scene is the mother. She is only mentioned one time in the poem, but the boys mention of her is crucial to understanding this poem. This is because the expression on her face sets the tone for the poem by confirming that this is not an innocent father son dance. “My mother’s countenance/ could not unfrown itself” (Roethke 7-8). This strong image shows how the mother does not approve of how rough the father is dancing with the boy, and is very uncomfortable with what’s going on. As the boy describes it “We romped until the pans/ slide off the kitchen shelf” (Roethke 5-6). The mother only being mentioned as a bystander leaves us to believe that she has no control over the situation at all. She just has to watch in disapproval, concerned about her son’s safety as well as her own. When the boy sees how his mother is reacting to the waltz it only confirms his suspicion that this is not a normal father son dance. 

A very predominant theme to this poem is alcoholism. So predominate that it’s the first thing the boy mentions in the opening stanza of the poem. “The whiskey on your breathe/Could make a small boy dizzy” (Roethke 1-2). This leads us to believe that the alcohol is the main contributing factor to this inappropriate abusive waltz that is going on. This behavior by a father is never appropriate. Getting drunk and mishandling a child is can be a very scarring experience for a child. This experience obviously resonated with the boy due to the fact that he remembered this experience in such detail. The father betrayed the inherent trust that he had with his son, by getting drunk and putting him in danger. Although, inherent trust the child has for his father is still remained strong, even after the waltz. The boy still follows his father off to bed at the end of the poem. “Then waltzed me off to bed/ Still clinging to your shirt” (Roethke 15-16). The fact that the child still felt the need to hold his father after all of this proves how strong the bond between a father and son can be, even after the father completely took advantage of this trust by endangering his son. The influence that alcohol can have on a relationship can be life changing. 

It is very possible to get a strong message out of a text without reading too deep into what the writer is trying to say. In “My Papas Waltz,” by Theodore Roethke, it is clear that the boy had an unsettling relationship with his father, the evidence is apparent. However, unlike most people, I do not believe that the waltz is a symbol for an abusive relationship. This poem wasn’t just a big symbol for abuse, it was an actual concrete example, which made the message even more meaningful and real. The underlying figurative language used throughout the poem gives the reader a strong sense of discomfort while reading. This discomfort lets the reader know that this isn’t just an innocent dance between father and son. We are given other examples that let the reader knows this isn’t an innocent dance, like the mother’s attitude towards the whole situation. In the end the boy is still clinging to his father, which demonstrates how strong the inherent trust between father and son can be. Even though the father doesn’t deserve the boys trust anymore.
