Theodore Roethke’s poem “Root Cellar” is a chilling and eerie depiction of the dark, cold space beneath the ground that houses all of our most basic needs – our food. Through vivid imagery and haunting metaphors, Roethke explores themes of hunger, survival, and dependence on nature. Despite its grim subject matter, this poem is a … Read more
Many people have interpreted Theodore Roethke’s My Papa’s Waltz as a poem about child abuse. The poem describes a young boy being spun around by his father, and some have read this as a metaphor for the physical abuse that can occur in such a situation. However, it is also possible to read the poem … Read more
My Papa’s Waltz is a poem by Theodore Roethke. The poem is about a young boy waltzing with his father. The father is drunk and the son is scared, but he doesn’t want to stop dancing. The poem has a light, playful tone at the beginning. However, as the poem progresses, the tone becomes more … Read more
