The Waking By Theodore Roethke Summary

“The Waking” by Theodore Roethke summarizes his belief that true wisdom lies in instinct. The poem also tells of Roethke’s appreciation of learning as he lives and the acceptance of his looming death. The poem’s villanelle style bring attention to the inevitability of the cycle of life and death. The poem's repetitive style also emphasizes how life is a continuous learning experience. Roethke also wishes to show the reader that he lives every day to one day meet his eternal sleep. As he takes “his waking slow,” he is telling the reader that he lives his life slowly. The first stanza also exemplifies his belief that true wisdom is gained in instinct, and learning is gained by living with the two lines: “I feel my fate in what I cannot fear”