The art of dance is meant to communicate and entertain. The Waltz is no different. Starting off as a smooth, progressive, dance it transforms into an array of moves twisting and turning the dancers. In “My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke the dance relates closely to the life of the boy(?) who does not know what will come next. The theme of this poem is a dark and gloomy one, showcasing a boy who just wants to love his father despite his shortcomings. The light tone of the poem almost seems like a waltz. But do not be deceived there is nothing light and fluffy about this poem. The boy is blinded by love for his father but does not know what is coming next. The reason he does not know what is coming next is because of his alcoholic father. The harsh words chose by Roethke you can tell he is describing a sort of vicious waltz akin to the boys experience when his dad comes home. Through a dark theme, light tone, and triple meter Roethke is able contribute to the main point of the poem which is the sad reality of an alcoholic and abusive father.

When reading the poem the first time you can read it as a father and son bonding and possibly literally dancing. By the line “The hand that held my wrist, Was battered on one knuckle” (Roethke 91) it was evident to me as the reader that Theodore Roethke is portraying domestic abuse. You can also interpret the reason his father’s hand is battered because he was working and he comes home to celebrate. The celebration would be the dance they share. Interpreting the battered hand directs the mood the poem will be read in. Second read you begin to read slower, and each sentence starts to have a deeper meaning. You can tell the bond from their “dancing” is special because even though the boy is aware of what his father has done he is still clinging to his shirt. This shows the light tone that highlights the poem.

Another literary theme that Roethke used was an ABAB rhyme scheme in his poem and then had his reader read each line in a triplet styled format. The literal dance the ‘waltz’ is an upbeat progressive style dance that is performed in a triple time. By combining these two similarities Roethke pulls the reader even more into the poem. The poem flows and creates a thematic tempo that is read in three parts. The line “Such waltzing was not easy” (Roethke 91), display the image of literal dancing in the reader’s mind. This line is an understatement and highlights the double meaning of abuse that is shown throughout the poem and also inferred due to Roethke’s past. This line helps contribute to the theme of the poem as well because it shows the boy struggling. Again the recurring theme of the boy knowing what is wrong but still clinging to his dad’s shirt comes up. 

“But I hung on like death” (Roethke 91), brings a dark violence into the reader’s mind and each word becomes sharper and heavier. As the reader you are brought into the kitchen with the son and the father and can feel the emotions that they carry. Roethke brings up an interesting choice with his words here. When he says death you think the poem might end with the boy dying but it helps contribute to the dark downward spiraling experience of the boy when his dad come home. Other than imagery, Roethke uses other literary terms such as metaphors into the poem such as “At every step you missed my right ear scraped a buckle” (Roethke 91). Roethke’s word choice is used to plot violent images into the reader’s mind and help guide them to the idea that he is attempting to portray. 

In conclusion, through literary terms, context and triple meter waltz tempo you are able to figure out what the author is displaying in his poem. A theme of despair and desperation to hang onto what you love even though the boy knows it is wrong. You are given the ability as the reader to infer what the author is saying and he drops clues within each line to hint to the reader that there is a dark undertone. Through close reading i concluded that the author was referring to his father abusing him after a long night of drinking and it seemed to be a pattern. Although the son is scared, he is also gripping tight, which brings a new element into the poem and leaves the reader into thinking their own thoughts on why the son continues to not let go.