Analysis of "My Papa's Waltz" In the poem "My Papa's Waltz" written by Theodore Roethke, the interpretation of the poem depends on the readers'perspective. The title itself, the word choices, and the rhythm in the poem gave me the impression that the father is not abusive but drunk. The interpretation takes into account the complexity of what the speaker feels that are bought about by the father. A dance is supposed to bring two people …showed first 75 words of 445 total…

…showed last 75 words of 445 total…clinging to your shirt" infers the boy in very much dependent on his father and shows despite the elements of criticism, a father-son relationship based, at least partly on love. The father and son have a complex relationship mixed with fear, joy, and love. The boy says that he "hung on like death" when his father was dancing. This implies a sense of fear between the boy because he does not quite trust his father.