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Analysis Of My Papa's Waltz

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Analysis Of My Papa's Waltz
The memory described in "My Papa's Waltz" is mostly positive.

The poem is about a specific type of dance, which is established thrice: by the title as well as lines 4 and 15. The father waltzed with his child at bedtime, a spirited attempt to bring elegance into a humble home. Waltzing is often associated with royalty, emperors dancing in palaces to the music of Johann Strauss II, good living! The verb "romped" in the second stanza is strong evidence that this was a playful activity for both father and son, a bonding experience ("boy" in the opening stanza suggests this speaker is male, but gender isn't important).

The father is not a great dancer. He had been drinking, which probably affects his coordination. With each misstep the young one's ear comes in contact with a belt buckle at the man's waist. But gracefulness does not matter here--the father earns gratitude for being loose, goofy, and carefree. The child is delighted by this roughhouse activity and is even "clinging" in the last line, unwilling to let go. The father's waltzing is like a carnival ride, requiring the young one to hold on "like death." This may be the highpoint of the child's day. …show more content…
The hand "caked hard by dirt" suggests he does taxing physical labor. He did not wash upon arriving home (though he found time to drink whiskey), possibly so happy seeing his child that he started dancing--washing can be done later. The hand battered by a tool or machine during the day now teaches 3/4 time exuberantly to an appreciative student, "3/4 time" being a musical term meaning three beats to a measure--"you beat time on my head." Child and father enjoy spending at least some time
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