Theodore Roethke’s poem “My Papa’s Waltz”

“My Papa’s Waltz” compares a child’s rollercoaster of a relationship with his father to a three step dance. The dance is not a pleasant one for the narrator, who must cope with his father’s alcoholism and abusive behavior. This metaphor is extended through the entire poem. The poem is also written in a triple meter, mimicking the rhythm of a waltz. The narrator offers a tender reference to his past as a glimpse into his private life. Amazingly, despite all of the father’s attempts to push his son away, the narrator fights to stay with his father. Even though his father lashes out at him, the narrator still possesses an undying love and admiration for his father. The narrator also mentions his mother who shows through her countenance that she did not agree with his father’s behavior. The use of the word “countenance” and the absence of any other reference to the mother suggests that she was also subjected to the father’s violent outbursts.
The poem experiences the moment of disequilibrium in the two concluding lines. The narrator explains that he still stuck with his father after using the last fourteen lines to show his darker side. The ending brings the poem back into a brighter light, indicating a positive influence from the narrator’s father. Although his father was not the ideal figure for his child, his son undoubtedly loves him and still appreciates him. Roethke’s decision to use memories from childhood shows how influential his father was on his maturation into an adult. He could not have achieved such a powerful message from any other point in his life.