My Papa's Waltz

by Theodore Roethke

This poem is from his 1948 collection, The Lost Son and Other Poems. Click here for the text. The text is also in The Norton Anthology of Modern and Contemporary Poetry, Vol 1.  

Discussion questions:

What is the relationship between father and son?  After answering to your own satisfaction, watch the video clip of William Van Fields.  Do you agree or disagree with his analysis? 

What is the tone of the poem?  How do you define tone: what is denotation and what is connotation?  After considering the difference, read Barry Spack's short essay.

Created by Stan Galloway 27 July 2005.  Last updated 15 September 2005.  Contact me at sgallowa@bridgewater.edu