Papa's Waltz vs Winter Sundays

A key difference between poetry and other forms of writing is that the meaning of poetry often requires a reader 0 “read between the lines.“ In prose, diction is the biggest indicator of meaning; however, in poetry, the structure plays a crucial role in conveying the ideas of the poem. This idea of meaning embedded in structure is evident in the poems “My Papa‘s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke and “Those Winter Sundays” by Robert Hayden through the manipulation of the meter.

After skimming “My Papa’s Waltz,” a reader may assume that the poem is a light-hearted one about a nostalgic memory of a father-child relationship, but after further analysis of the poem‘s structure, a much different meaning is revealed.

“My Papa‘s Waltz” in reality is about a father’s abusive, drunken behavior the poem is written mainly in iambic trimeter, which follows the form of a three step waltz. However, there are irregularities in the meter that reflect imperfections in the dance the “leftover” syllables in lines 2, 4, 10, 12, and 14 that do not follow the pattern of iambic trimeter convey the idea of the father’s unpredictable, intoxicated actions.

In this way, the inherent structure of poetry allows analysis beyond figurative language “Those Winter Sundays,“ like “My Papa’s Waltz” is an adult‘s reflection on a father-child relationship. In the poem, the speaker describes his father’s dedication to providing for the family and his juvenile ingratitude.

In the last line of the poem, the speaker asks “what did I know of love’s austere and lonely offices?” this question is the biggest indication of the love behind his father’s actions.

Get quality help now

KarrieWrites

Verified

Proficient in: Literature

5 (339)

“ KarrieWrites did such a phenomenal job on this assignment! He completed it prior to its deadline and was thorough and informative. ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire writer

Just as 14~line sonnets are often about romantic love, Hayden’s 14- line poem is about a different form of love–that of a dutiful parentt “My Papa’s Waltz” and “Those Winter Sundays” give clear examples of the structural significance vital to poetry’s expression. Through the use of meter and form, Roethke and Hayden convey meanings in their writing that might be overlooked at first glance.