my papa waltz Flashcards
(22 cards)
What is the first line of the poem?
The whiskey on your breath
Complete the line: “Could make a small boy ____”
dizzy
What does the boy do despite the difficulty?
But i hung on like death
What happens to the pans in the kitchen?
Slid from the kitchen shelf
How does the mother react?
My mother’s countenance could not unfrown itself
Describe the fathers hand.
battered on one knuckle
What happens at every step the father misses?
My right ear scraped a buckle
How does the father “beat time”?
With a palm caked hard by dirt
How does the poem end?
Then waltzed me off to bed still clinging to your shirt
What is the central metaphor of the poem?
The waltz represents the father son relationship
What are two possible interpretations of the poem?
- A fond memory of a playful, loving father. 2. A darker memory of an abusive or dysfunctional household.
What does the whiskey symbolize?
The father’s alcoholism or his rough nature
What does the mother’s frowning suggest?
Her dissaproval or concern about the father’s behavior
What dose the boy’s “clinging” suggest?
His love for his father, despite the roughness
What literary device is used in “hung on like death”?
Simile
What is the effect of the poems rhythm?
It mimics the 3/4 time of a waltz, creating a musical feel
What imagery is used to describe the father’s hand?
Battered on one knuckle and palm caked hard by dirt
What is the tone of the poem?
Nostalgic but tense, with mixed emotions
What does the belt buckle scraping the boy’s ear symbolize?
The physical and emotional discomfort in the relationship
What does the poem reveal about family dynamics?
It shows the complexity of love, power, and vulnerability in family relationships
How does poem handle ambiguity?
It leaves the reader to decide whether the memory is positive or negative
What is the significance of the title?
It highlights the dance as a metaphor for the father son relationship
