Roethke and Salinas

 There is a distinct difference in how the fathers are portrayed in both poems. In Roethke's the father is extremely abusive towards the boy. In Salinas, the father was loving and caring. always doting on the son, worried about his wellbeing. 

Roethke, we see the son talk about his father beating the rhythm on his head as they "waltzed" around the room. Using the waltz as a way to not hide what is actually happening, but to cope with it happening. The unacceptable abuse of the son is told in such an innocent way, without knowing how the author feels about it. It almost feels like a bittersweet loving memory. It is told as if it is a fond memory but the actions in it are far from fond. 

In Salinas, we see a father who is slow due to age lovingly doting on his son. In this poem, it is obvious that the son loves his father despite him not graduating from high school. He isn't embarrassed for his father's education, he loves him all the same. Appreciates all the sacrifices he has made for him. 

Roethke's poem about abuse shows the dangers of obsessive drinking and bad parenting. While Salinas highlights the qualities of parenting. They oppose each other and juxtapose both writers' opinions of fathers. 

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