Imagine being a child that loves their father unconditionally. That love is more powerful than thinking of the harm he does is doing to you. “My Papa's Waltz” by Theodore Roethke can be interpreted in multiple ways. The poem could be interpreted as a parent abusing his child due to alcoholism or a child dancing with his father. In the poem, Theodore reminisces about his youth of tangled emotions of fear and unconditional love towards his father besides the imperfections his father has. This poet has showed the emotions of fear and love through word choice, imagery, and metaphors. Although the poem may sound simple and easy to understand, “My Papa’s Waltz” is really a complex story of parental love and abuse. The title of “My Papa’s Waltz”
