“My Papa’s Waltz” vs “Those Winter Sunday’s”

Theodore Roethke’s “My Papa’s Waltz”, and Robert Hayden’s “Those Winter Sunday’s” are two hearts felt poems that are somewhat similar about respected fathers. In these two poems, both authors take an admiring look back at some of the most memorable actions of their fathers. It is clearly implied that their fathers were not perfect by any means, but deeply loved. The authors wanted us to see how much their fathers loved them, but by reading these poems, the love was expressed differently. Although there was unconditional love shown, I feel as if both Roethke and Hayden are expressing painful wounds and unmet needs by their fathers. In Roethke’s “My Papa’s Waltz”, he wants the readers to understand a very heart breaking and traumatic situation that he encountered with his father in his earlier stages. From reading the poem, it is obvious that his father was a habitual drunkard. The “Waltz” that is mentioned in the story, is a sentimental dance that is shared between Roethke and his father. It is stated, “The Whiskey on your breath could make a small boy dizzy; but I hung on like death.” From personal experience, the harsh smell of …show more content…
Both poems are pretty much focused on vivid memories of their fathers, but the speaker in Roethke’s poem directly addresses the father, whereas, the speaker in Hayden’s does not. I personally think that the tone of Roethke’s is more subjective and Hayden’s is coming from an objective point of view. Due to the father being drunk in Roethke’s poem being a drunk, he behaves irresponsibly. A major contrast is that, The father in Hayden’s poem is extremely responsible and does everything possible to provide his son From readers stand point; you would think that Roethke may have some resentment built up towards his father, but doesn’t seem to be the