 In Theodore Roethke’s poem, “My Papa’s Waltz,” Roethke uses descriptive verbs to show the theme of recurring violence. He uses words like waltzing, which is used twice, romped, and scraped. Roethke chose these particular words to convey an underlying message of a harmful relationship between a father and his son. By looking at these repeating verbs, we can see the harsh reality of this situation, in which a father beats and rapes his son. This theme is clearly illustrated with at least one of these descriptive verbs in each big stanza to describe the situation. Each word holds a different meaning to the main theme, however, these four words work together to create one united message.

Starting off with the word, waltz, the theme is presented to the reader immediately in the title. A waltz is a four step process with four stanza’s and three beats that repeat over and over again. This title encapsulates the theme of reoccurring violence, using the waltz as a metaphor for the routineness of a father beating his son. Each line conveys certain steps in the waltz or the encounter with his father, these steps are repeated multiple times. In the beginning stanza’s, it is said that his father was drunk, and he was barely hanging to his father. This sets up the line “Such waltzing was not easy.” (Roethke 90). “waltzing” stands out. This is the first clue that is not the normal four step dance being referred to. This boy is now in a situation with a drunk father who appears to be forcing him to do something or holding him down. The verb waltzing ties in with the title and also redefines this word for the reader, giving it a negative connotation. Roethke may have chosen this word over others because it ties into the title in a clever and twisted way. By reading the title, it’s easy to take it literally and infer it’s about a father dancing the waltz with his son, however, by repeating this word we are informed otherwise.

    Aside from the title, the word, “waltzing” is used one last time near the end of this poem. It is used in the line, “Then waltzed me off to bed” (Roethke 91). The placement of this word makes perfect sense and is in normal word order, with very simple sentences. This word is used to signify the end of the beating or waltz with his father. Capitalizing on the idea that this is a sick and twisted waltz. Seeing this word brings the reader relief that this awful “waltz” is over, however it leaves an empty feeling because it’s a repetitive act. It is clear this waltz has occurred and will occur again because there are solidified steps described by the boy. Repetition of this word in this specific spot adds drama to the poem and contributes to the theme of reoccurring violence.

In the stanza about waltzing and throughout the poem there is a rhyming aspect in which every other last word in a sentence rhymes. For example, the words at the end are, “head and bed” (Roethke 91). This rhyming technique is done by Roethke to lighten up the poem. Also to make it almost feel like a young child is telling us this story, through the use of very simple words. The rhyming and simple vocabulary also makes the poem as a whole feel short and choppy. It also adds to the fact that this poem builds off of itself. The more that is read the more information is gathered regarding this “waltz”.

    A very powerful verb that is used in the second stanza of this poem is the word, “romped” This verb is used in the line, “We romped until the pans” (Roethke 91). After analyzing this word, it has a deeper meaning than the definition of romping, which is to play roughly or energetically. This use of the word romping means rape. His father is not only physically abusing him, he’s also sexually abusing him. This idea is solidified two lines down when his mother is described as silent and frowning. Her silence signifies she may be getting abused herself and she is frowning because her poor son is being more than taken advantage of, just like her. The word romping is one of the more advanced vocabulary words used, making it stand out from the child-like vocabulary. This aggressive reoccurring romp plays into the theme of violence and displays a very unhealthy relationship between a father and son.

Lastly, the verb, “scraped” clinches the main idea of this poem, and sends chills down the reader's spine. This word is used in the line, “My right ear scraped a buckle” (Roethke 91). This creates such a detailed visual image that’s hard to ignore. The placement of this line is strategic because it pulls the reader's attention close right before the ending of this poem. The line before it, “every step you missed” (Roethke 91) makes the scraped line feel like another step in the waltz. While scraping a buckle may sound gentle, in comparison to the other acts of harm in this poem, this falls under the category of physical abuse. The actual act of his ear scraping a buckle is a result of his father physically or sexually abusing him. The style of this poem is very straight forward, this is shown through the use of simple vocabulary that rhymes. The primary form of writing style is description because this whole poem is almost like a procedure outline for the steps that are taken when a boy gets abused. This story is also all in the boy's point of view which makes it easier for the reader to follow his story.

In conclusion, “My Papa’s Waltz” is a simple yet disturbing poem that portrays the reoccurring theme of a violent relationship between a father and son. This theme is shown through the use of specific verbs like waltzing, romping, and scraped. We discover as the poem builds that this is not a waltz, but it is an abusive recurring encounter. Through the use of basic vocabulary and simple rhyming, the reader is also able to pick up the image of a narrator, a young boy who gets physically and emotionally abused. Overall, this was a straightforward yet deep poem that captured a step by step process about how a typical “waltz” goes with an abusive father.
