Throughout stanza one, the speaker incorporates word choice to express his concern for his father’s addiction to alcohol. The son’s loyalty was expressed when he states, “...But I hung on like death...” (line 3). Roethke’s use of word choice in the phrase “hung on like death” depicts an image of his son hugging his father, as a sign of care towards his father. In contrast, Roethke’s variation of words in stanza four alters to a more devoted tone towards the effect of his father’s alcoholism on his childhood. As the father walks the speaker to bed, the speaker’s actions are demonstrated by, “...still clinging to your shirt.” (line 16). Roethke uses of words “clinging to your” to present the idea that even though the speaker’s father’s actions during his exceeded pleasures of alcohol were unruly, the speaker continued to demonstrate loyalty towards his father. The meaning of “clinging to your”, as used in the poem, can represent the loyal relationship between the speaker and its father, while experiencing indifferent behaviors within their
Throughout stanza one, the speaker incorporates word choice to express his concern for his father’s addiction to alcohol. The son’s loyalty was expressed when he states, “...But I hung on like death...” (line 3). Roethke’s use of word choice in the phrase “hung on like death” depicts an image of his son hugging his father, as a sign of care towards his father. In contrast, Roethke’s variation of words in stanza four alters to a more devoted tone towards the effect of his father’s alcoholism on his childhood. As the father walks the speaker to bed, the speaker’s actions are demonstrated by, “...still clinging to your shirt.” (line 16). Roethke uses of words “clinging to your” to present the idea that even though the speaker’s father’s actions during his exceeded pleasures of alcohol were unruly, the speaker continued to demonstrate loyalty towards his father. The meaning of “clinging to your”, as used in the poem, can represent the loyal relationship between the speaker and its father, while experiencing indifferent behaviors within their