The mood of "My Papa's Waltz" by Theodore Roethke is a complex one that combines elements of love and nostalgia with hints of fear and tension. The poet conveys this mood through his choice of words and imagery.
1. "We romped until the pans / Slid from the kitchen shelf" - The word "romped" suggests a playful and carefree mood, while the image of the pans sliding off the shelf adds a sense of chaos and potential danger.
2. "The hand that held my wrist / Was battered on one knuckle" - The description of the father's hand as "battered" conveys a sense of roughness and discomfort, indicating a possible darker or violent undertone to the waltz.
3. "But I hung on like death" - The phrase "hung on like death" suggests a sense of desperation or clinging to the moment, indicating the speaker's conflicting emotions of fear and love towards his father.
Overall, the poem's mood is a mixture of conflicting emotions, with elements of love, fear, and nostalgia all intertwined in a bittersweet portrayal of a father-son relationship.
Discuss Mood- What is the mood of this poem "My papa's waltz" by theodore roethke? How does the poet convey this tone? Please provide at least three specific words / phrases that build the mood.
the mood is is bitter sweet
1 answer