choose five examples of sound device usage - define the term and discuss how it enhances the meaning of the poem My Papa's Waltz by Theodore Roethke

Answer 1

1. Alliteration: Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in neighboring words. In "My Papa's Waltz," the poem uses alliteration in lines such as "Such waltzing was not easy," where the repeated "w" sound creates a sense of the waltz's smooth and rhythmic movement. This enhances the meaning of the poem by highlighting the dance-like quality of the father and son's rough play.

2. Assonance: Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in neighboring words. In the line "The whiskey on your breath," the use of assonance in the repeated "e" sound creates a sense of slurred speech, emphasizing the father's intoxication. This enhances the meaning of the poem by suggesting a sense of disorientation and instability in the father's actions.

3. Consonance: Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds in neighboring words. In "My Papa's Waltz," the poem uses consonance in lines such as "battered on one knuckle," where the repeated "t" sound creates a harsh and abrasive tone, mirroring the rough nature of the father's waltz with his son. This enhances the meaning of the poem by emphasizing the physical and emotional impact of the dance.

4. Onomatopoeia: Onomatopoeia is the use of words that imitate the sounds they refer to. In "My Papa's Waltz," the poem uses onomatopoeia in the line "The pans slid from the kitchen shelf," where the word "slid" mimics the sound of the pans falling. This enhances the meaning of the poem by creating a sense of chaos and danger in the domestic scene, adding to the tension between the father and son.

5. Repetition: Repetition is the repeated use of words or phrases for emphasis. In "My Papa's Waltz," the poem uses repetition in the refrain "But I hung on like death," which appears twice in the poem. This repetition emphasizes the speaker's persistence and determination to hold on to his father despite the rough handling, highlighting the complexity of their relationship.