Son & Father in “My Papa’s Waltz” by Roethke and “Those Winter Sundays” by Hayden

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Theme Discussion
Comparison of Literary Devices and Tone
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

There are recurring themes among generations of poets that represent the culture and traditions of that time. Roethke and Hayden both grew during the beginning of the Industrial Era that is often linked with both uprises for some, while the suffering and harsh times for many others. These two authors had similar experiences that shaped their future style and poetic themes. I would like to explore two of their poems to draw an image of their childhood through expressions that are filled with deep-seated emotions towards their fathers. For this assignment, I chose to write about the theme of family in two poems: “My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke and “Those Winter Sundays” by Robert Hayden.

Theme Discussion

As has been said, both authors grew in the early twentieth century. They also share similarities in the position of their families in society. Robert Hayden grew in a foster home with a hard-working father who provided for his family through manual labor (Diamond). At the same time, Roethke, who is a son of a German immigrant, had a father who owned a greenhouse where he worked all time and was a drunkard (Tate). The chosen poems present one distinct similarity in the setting: both authors use the complexity of relationships between a son and his father. This fact is made apparent in both poems through the combination of positive and negative emotions.

The structure of the exhibition in both poems also has similarities. To draw the picture of a laborer who puts himself into his job, Hayden describes that his father had “cracked hands” from labor (Kennedy and Gioia 382). In turn, Rhoetke draws a similar picture by stating that his father had “a palm caked hard by dirt” (Kennedy and Gioia 393). Moreover, there is a distinct hardship that is expressed by both authors. Rhoetke describes that such a dance “was not easy,” while Hayden did not run to father but approached him “slowly,” as if not to anger (Kennedy and Gioia 382, 393). These depictions create almost identical images, which may serve as a hint of what life was at that period. I also believe that such connotations show that both Hayden and Roethke grew into the successful authors they became partially due to this pressure from their parents.

Despite the hardships that both authors had to live through, they do not express hatred towards their fathers. In fact, both authors live through their experiences with their fathers by showing respect and even adoration. For example, Rhoetke shows his affection towards his father, to whom he “hung on like death” during their chaotic dance (Kennedy and Gioia 393). Hayden, in turn, shows similar feelings, albeit with a degree of remorse due to the lack of timely appreciation of his father’s efforts (Kennedy and Gioia 382). These poems reveal crucial characteristic traits of both poets that represent their values in the future.

These facts can be seen later in both their works and private lives. Diamond presents a portion of Hayden’s speech, who later said that his father wanted him not to “live like this,” which sometimes led to violence when his son was not living up to the expectations. Moreover, Diamond reveals that Hayden later wrote that he regrets that his father did not see that he “cared that much” about such teachings. Similar facts can be traced in Roethke’s life, as his father died early from cancer, leaving Theodore with feelings of loneliness and abandonment (Tate). Such representations of life experiences put into the poetic form made both poets famous for their skillful and emotionally charged works.

Comparison of Literary Devices and Tone

Both poems utilize a wide range of literary devices to create a vivid image of the harsh reality described by their authors. First and foremost, metaphors help readers to connect the described scene with emotions that the authors have experienced. Roethke’s inspiration is also drawn from a troubled childhood. Despite the fact that the father and his son are dancing in the poem, they suffer significant wounds from this dance. A reader may compare this waltz with a fight, drawing the conclusion that Roethke’s poem title contains a metaphor since the author used “waltzing” as an implication for physical aggression. Hayden’s life was no different, as he uses metaphors as a method of representing emotions. In the book by Kennedy and Gioia, Hayden’s poem harshly describes his fatherly figure by using a metaphor to show that he represents “chronic angers of that house” (382). This application of metaphors also adds to the list of similarities between poems, despite the fact that they are used for different effects.

Alliteration is also employed by both authors as a way to accentuate their messages. For example, the sound /k/ is repeated by Hayden in his poem in a short span to underline the coldness and harshness of his environment. Roethke’s work also utilizes the same sound, although the reason differs. It can be understood as a method for showing the chaotic nature of the father-son relationship, whose interactions cause loud, disruptive noises that violently break the silence.

The primary difference that can be drawn after reading these two poems is their tone. Roethke’s work is filled with action and descriptions of physical wounds. The author describes the harm his characters suffer in each line while putting the emotional toll they experience into the background. In turn, Hayden’s poem has a slower pace and puts an emphasis on the emotional experiences of both father and son. The choice of words by either author differs, as does the direction of their narrations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both poets expressed their experiences from early ages that are dauntingly similar, which might be the result of the societal norms of that time. Their struggles with or against their fathers reveal both respect and fear of their parents. Nonetheless, the expressions reflect the mixed feelings towards the authors’ fatherly figures and the difficulty in understanding each other through generations. The authors’ messages may appear controversial for modern-day readers, yet such a dynamic persists in some families.

The literary devices used in these poems are made to obscure the violence behind the lines, at least partially. However, the same aggression is reflected in the alliteration that is present in both poems and adds weight to the lines where said emotion is expressed. Moreover, metaphors are utilized by Roethke to soften the expression by describing it as “waltzing,” while Hayden accentuates it by showing that this anger is “chronic” in his household. Despite all that was said, neither of the authors expresses hatred or malice. Instead, they soothe the negativity with an understanding of the lessons their fathers attempted to deliver through such a confrontation, which may seem unusual for modern days.

Works Cited

Diamond, Jonny. “A Close Reading of a Great American Poem: Robert Hayden’s “Those Winter Sundays.”.” Literary Hub, 2021, Web.

Kennedy, X. J., and D. Gioia. Backpack literature: An introduction to fiction, poetry, drama, and writing. 4th ed., Pearson, 2011.

Tate, Linda. “Theodore Roethke: “My Papa’s Waltz”.” StoryWeb, 2017, Web.

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Son & Father in “My Papa’s Waltz” by Roethke and “Those Winter Sundays” by Hayden

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