Question

What is 1 similarity and 1 difference between Theodore Roethke's "My Papa's Waltz" and Robert Hayden's "Those Winters Sundays"?

a) Similarity: Both poems use first-person narration. Difference: "My Papa's Waltz" is a cheerful poem, while "Those Winter Sundays" is somber.
b) Similarity: Both poems describe father-child relationships. Difference: "My Papa's Waltz" uses formal language, while "Those Winter Sundays" uses informal language.
c) Similarity: Both poems use religious imagery. Difference: "My Papa's Waltz" is set in winter, while "Those Winter Sundays" is set in summer.
d) Similarity: Both poems have a happy ending. Difference: "My Papa's Waltz" is written in prose, while "Those Winter Sundays" is written in verse.

Answer 1

Both "My Papa's Waltz" and "Those Winter Sundays" explore the dynamics of father-child relationships. However, they differ in tone and theme, with "My Papa's Waltz" carrying ambiguous and possibly darker undertones, while "Those Winter Sundays" is reflective and regretful about familial relationships.

Step-by-step explanation:

The similarity between Theodore Roethke's "My Papa's Waltz" and Robert Hayden's "Those Winter Sundays" is that both poems describe father-child relationships. A significant difference, however, is that "My Papa's Waltz" portrays a more ambiguous and possibly strained relationship through its waltzing metaphor, which invokes both affection and conflict. On the other hand, "Those Winter Sundays" is generally viewed as a somber reflection on the unspoken love and sacrifices of the speaker's father.

Considering the provided options, it's clear that option (b) most accurately captures a similarity and a difference between the two poems. While both poems explore the complexities of the father-child bond, it's not accurate to categorize "My Papa's Waltz" as using formal language compared to "Those Winter Sundays". Instead, the difference lies more in the tone and underlying themes: "My Papa's Waltz" has a more contentious and potentially darker undercurrent, whereas "Those Winter Sundays" conveys a reflective and regretful mood regarding past familial relationships.