Familial Love In Those Winter Sundays By Robert Hayden
The meaning of “Those Winter Sundays” by Robert Hayden is to show the familiar, familial love that is relatable by most people. From the beginning of the story and all throughout the boys shows his father-son love that he does not understand and fully appreciate until he is reminiscing about his father and how he always got up early, even on Sundays. The boy is not just an unappreciative child, he is simply a growing boy; he has a lot to learn. His growing through the poem shows the father-son relationship he only fully understands when he is older. At the beginning, the boy makes it clear that his father works hard, even when he does not really need to. The boy said after his father put on his clothes, he “then with cracked hands that ached
/ from labor in the weekday weather” (Hayden 3-4). The boy knows that his father works everyday during the week, which is why his hands ache and are in bad condition. According to a professor at Yale University, the “simple phrase “Sunday’s too” implies two things… Sunday may be distinguished from other days as a traditional day of rest from the regular work week” (Johnson). This means even though the father was technically off work on Sunday, he still worked for his family because he loved them. Although the boy knows his father works hard all week, he doesn’t thank him for what he does for the family, in fact, “no one ever thanked him” (368). This does not mean the boy does not appreciate what his father is doing, he just does not really understand. Later in the poem, the boy gradually begins to understand his father’s actions and reflect on his love for him. In the beginning of the third stanza, the boy mentions how his father even “polished my [his] good shoes as well”(Hayden 12). Not only does his father warm the house he is living in, he goes above and beyond for his son. Following the line about his father polishing his shoes, the boy questions what he knows about “love’s austere and lonely offices”(Hayden 13). This really emphasizes the difference between his young self and his now older self. He is understanding why his father gets up so early, even on Sunday’s to warm the house and polish his shoes; it is because his father loves him so much. This poem expresses the type of love between father and son that does not need to be shown, but is always there. Even though the boy, while he is young, does not really show his gratitude toward his father, his father still knows his son loves him. His father warms the house and does other things, like polish his shoes in place of just telling him he loves him. The boy is reflecting now that he is older and realizing what all of those actions meant; his father truly loved him even when he did not tell him.
/ from labor in the weekday weather” (Hayden 3-4). The boy knows that his father works everyday during the week, which is why his hands ache and are in bad condition. According to a professor at Yale University, the “simple phrase “Sunday’s too” implies two things… Sunday may be distinguished from other days as a traditional day of rest from the regular work week” (Johnson). This means even though the father was technically off work on Sunday, he still worked for his family because he loved them. Although the boy knows his father works hard all week, he doesn’t thank him for what he does for the family, in fact, “no one ever thanked him” (368). This does not mean the boy does not appreciate what his father is doing, he just does not really understand. Later in the poem, the boy gradually begins to understand his father’s actions and reflect on his love for him. In the beginning of the third stanza, the boy mentions how his father even “polished my [his] good shoes as well”(Hayden 12). Not only does his father warm the house he is living in, he goes above and beyond for his son. Following the line about his father polishing his shoes, the boy questions what he knows about “love’s austere and lonely offices”(Hayden 13). This really emphasizes the difference between his young self and his now older self. He is understanding why his father gets up so early, even on Sunday’s to warm the house and polish his shoes; it is because his father loves him so much. This poem expresses the type of love between father and son that does not need to be shown, but is always there. Even though the boy, while he is young, does not really show his gratitude toward his father, his father still knows his son loves him. His father warms the house and does other things, like polish his shoes in place of just telling him he loves him. The boy is reflecting now that he is older and realizing what all of those actions meant; his father truly loved him even when he did not tell him.