Essay Comparing My Papa's Waltz And Forgiving My Father

The theme of any story can be very dynamic. A story can have multiple themes and they can vary by how the reader portrays theme. The theme ultimately is determined by opinions, and how someone reads and oversees particular phrases that give off the topic, or certain a message. My Papa’s Waltz and Forgiving my Father connect to each other as they both relate to the relationship of fathers to their families. These are prime examples of how theme is ultimately determined by opinions and messages; because not everyone has a father or the same feelings towards their father as someone else does their own. However, these slight differences in the poems lead up to very alike themes. My Papa’s Waltz and Forgiving my Father both show strong similarities

These relationships can both be perceived as negative towards the two mothers in the different poems. However, the mothers do not react to the negativity, but watch on, one way or another. In My Papa’s Waltz the negative similarity towards the mother is displayed as she frowningly watches on as the young child clinches on to his drunken father’s leg (Roethke). The mother shows this gesture as she knows her husband’s fault, however, she also knows the son is too young to realize as he shows his love to his father. The mother could also possibly be torn apart and fearing of her husband’s alcoholism, but avoiding splitting the family for the child’s sake. Forgiving my Father also shows a similar negative family relationship as the mother has passed and lies in her grave as the father has no money as he “throws” it away (Clifton). The mother most likely, is sitting in her grave with the same disappointment and fear for her child as the mother in My Papa Waltz. Both families have dealt with negativities due to the father’s actions and has not only affected their feelings but their lives. However, these problems are accepted because of the love for the fathers and moved on