The mood of this poem is both nostalgic and slightly unsettling. The poet conveys this tone through the use of vivid imagery and conflicting emotions.
Three specific words/phrases that build the mood are:
1. "whiskey on your breath" - This phrase suggests a sense of intoxication and perhaps volatile behavior, adding to the somewhat unsettling mood of the poem.
2. "You beat time on my head" - This line conveys a sense of roughness and possible violence in the father's actions, contributing to the unsettling atmosphere of the poem.
3. "My mother's countenance" - This phrase hints at the mother's disapproval or discomfort with the situation, further enhancing the nostalgic yet troubling mood of the poem.
What is the mood of this poem? How does the poet convey this tone? Please provide at least three specific words / phrases that build the mood.My Papa's Waltz by Theodore Roethke
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