Waltz Essay, Research Paper
Themes in The Waltz
The Waltz by Dorothy Parker was written during a time when women were just beginning to understand that they could assert their own personal identities. Dorothy Parker wanted to show the movement away from the Victorian ideals of the day towards a more liberal urban America. Women s emerging identity led to the realization that they didn t have to depend entirely on men. Women also developed more political awareness and used their political skills to more greatly influence society. The Waltz shows how women were trapped in this male dominated society and the hopeless plight of these repressed women during the early Twentieth century.
In The Waltz, Dorothy Parker shows an autobiographical depiction of sexism in her life experience. In one part of the story the narrator is dancing with a man whom she doesn t care for, nor likes and curses herself while making fun of him in the process. When the dance partner questions however, she forces herself to say she is having a great time and loves this dance with him. The narrator also tells us that dancing with this man is just about as pleasurable as having her tonsils taken out. By allowing the narrator to have such verbal exchanges with her dance partner Parker is showing her malicious wit. She is also showing woman s equal rights inside a sexual relationship during the changing times. The narrator is struggling to be her own person, when she implores, Why can t he let me lead my own life? The narrator also shows that she intends to kill the man because he wouldn t leave her alone to live her own life, which she feels is never going to happen because of all females male counterparts, Die he must, and die he shall, for what he did to me. The singular he seems to be used to describe all men, not just one.
Dorothy Parker offers the narrator of the story no place to develop any individual identity or potential. She shows the social injustice exerted on women by putting the narrator in a social situation where she is not given any opportunity to make her own decisions due to the oppressive nature of society s morals and mannerisms, which still exerted intense social pressure even though the mores were being challenged. The narrator s futile attempts at escape show irony since its obvious that she can not escape this man just like she could not escape the oppressive yoke of a male dominated culture. Because the narrator has no clue what to say to him ( Did you go to the circus this year? ) she has to dance with him and subsume her consciousness to her male oppressor.
The narrator of The Waltz also shows the lack of opportunities and general impotence in society that women were faced with. Had the narrator said no to the dance she would have probably been considered rude and uncivilized, a social outcast and a deviant. The narrator said yes to the dance (the only other choice) and she was tormented with the man s bad dancing (he kicked her in the shin and stepped on her insoles) and his high energy, which she was, somewhat sarcastically, saying she admired but realistically hoped it would tire him out.
Other themes Dorothy Parker portrayed in The Waltz were that of escape and the search for peace. In many places in the story the narrator told us that she wanted to be left alone to wallow in her own pity, to brood over all [her] sorrows. If the narrator is describing this one clumsy man, whom she tells us she loves, and then calls him a hulking peasant she is showing the inescapable realty of men being a part of every woman s life.
Dorothy Parker s theme for escape and search for peace in this story shows that there are no means of any improvement in society. The narrator shows that there are no avenues of escape in this male dominated world from the misery of any woman during this dance, or in a wider aspect, life. Parker shows in this story that all women are in some way or the other doomed to live in a society that honors and respects men, enslaves and mentally imprisons women. The Waltz shows all women s heartache and disenchantment with life as a whole and their powerless status in society where a life devoid of individuality and starved potential is not worth living.
Другие работы по теме:
Cinderella Essay Research Paper Cinderella The stepsistersOne
Cinderella Essay, Research Paper Cinderella (The stepsisters) One day this girl decides to waltz into our home and tries to be ?Miss Everything?, but to us, she?s nothing. It?s as if she?s trying to steal all the good things we have, but thank G-d we have the control over her. We are allowed to say, ?Cinderella, do this!? and, ?Cinderella, do that!?, but we can?t take complete advantage of her (unfortunately).
Macbeth Essay Research Paper MacbethIn the story
Macbeth Essay, Research Paper Macbeth In the story of Macbeth, there are three basic themes that are seen time and time again. The themes of disorder, darkness and gffgd. They not only are used to show, or describe something, they are also there to show a repeating symbolism throughout the play.
The Pigman Essay Research Paper The Pigman
The Pigman Essay, Research Paper The Pigman Theme Essay In the novel The Pigman by Paul Zindel, many themes appear throughout the book. However, the most prominent are: older people can be friends but shouldn’t be looked at as parent figures, platonic relationships should stay strictly platonic, and the last main theme is: underage drinking and smoking are very harmful.
Scarlet Letter Themes Essay Research Paper Nathaniel
Scarlet Letter Themes Essay, Research Paper Nathaniel Hawthorne was a truly outstanding author. His detailed descriptions and imagery will surely keep people interested in reading The Scarlet Letter for years to come. In writing this book he used themes evident throughout the entirety of the novel. These themes are illustrated in what happens to the characters and how they react.
Sweeney Todd Essay Research Paper Sweeney Todd
Sweeney Todd Essay, Research Paper Sweeney Todd is by no means a conventional musical; it takes several forms of music and theater and artfully places them together. Sondheim very effectively
Harry Potter And Sorcerer Stone By Rollings
Essay, Research Paper In the book, Harry Potter and The Sorcerer`s Stone, Written by J.K. Rollings, I believe that courage is the most outstanding theme. J.K. Rollings does a
Agony And Extacy Essay Research Paper THEMES
Agony And Extacy Essay, Research Paper THEME(S) Major ?Art surpassing life? and ?The agony and ecstasy of an artist? are the two significant themes of the novel. Michelangelo waits for
Theme In Antigone Essay Research Paper Antigone
Theme In Antigone Essay, Research Paper Antigone, by Sophocles, is a play that has three major themes. All three of these themes play a very important part in this play. The three major themes are fate, love, and pride. Oedipus had killed his father, king of Thebes, not knowing it was his father and then took over Thebes.
Literary Themes In All Quiet On The
Western Front Essay, Research Paper Some authors use themes to show the reader some perspective. Erich Maria Remarque s book All Quiet on the Western Front uses many themes but there are four main ones. Those four themes are the Lost Generation, futility of war, sound imagery, and the institutionalization or depersonalization of war.
Crucible 2 Essay Research Paper It is
Crucible 2 Essay, Research Paper It is more noble to die with integrity than it is to compromise one s principle in order to live. —– Danforth: I say, will you confess yourself, Goody Nurse? Rebecca: Why it is a lie, it is a lie;; how may I damn myself? I cannot, I cannot. —–Arthur Miller s, The Crucible, was a play with many themes.
Theme In A Raison In The Sun
Essay, Research Paper Theme in the A Raisin in the Sun There are many themes in A Raisin in the Sun. The this play was written by, an African American, Lorraine Hansberry. The three themes
Beowolf And Grendel Essay Research Paper Apart
Beowolf And Grendel Essay, Research Paper Apart from Wealth, Honor, and Paganistic vs. Biblical themes and motifs, character is also shown through a certain Man vs. Wild motif. This motif shows
Walden By Thoreau And Nature By Emerson
Essay, Research Paper Transcendentalism is used frequently as main topics in the stories ?Nature? and Walden. These two themes are heavily concentrated on though these two
Tom Sawyer And Threasure Islan Essay Research
Paper Write a 200-word book report comparing the themes of Tom Sawyer and Treasure Island. Comparing the themes fo Treasure Island, which is Robert Louis Stevenson’s monst famous work of fiction, and the theme of the novel Tom Sawyer, by the beloved and very well-known American author and writer, Samuel Clemens (otherwise known by his nom de flame, or pen-name, Mark Twain) is a very hard and difficult job indeed and requires a lot of careful study.
Is My Papa S Waltz Really About
And Abusive Father Essay, Research Paper My Papa s Waltz is by Theodore Rothke it is about a childhood memory written later in his lifetime. Theodore Rothke s dad was an alcoholic drunk. Theodore Rothke went through a period where he was depressed and mentally unstable. Theodore Rothke was fascinated by the nature of the world; many of his poems were about this subject.
My Papa
’s Waltz Essay, Research Paper Tone of ?My Papa?s Waltz? In the beginning of ?My Papa?s Waltz,? the little boy, the speaker, starts off with a somewhat of a frightening tone in his voice. He makes points to the odor of alcohol on the breath of his ?dance? partner, in this case, his father. When he describes his father coming in, he also says that he is clinging onto him like ?death.? Usually when someone makes any kind of reference to death, it is in some kind of negative light.
My Papas Waltz Essay Research Paper Tim
My Papas Waltz Essay, Research Paper Tim Culhane 2/20/01 “My Papa’s Waltz” Throughout the poem, “My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke, many techniques are used to show that there are furious conflicts between a father and his son. Roethke uses the word waltz in the title to relate to the beating of the son. I believe that the poem is altogether a negative poem, as described by the words and phrases the author uses.
Childhood Memories Essay Research Paper Childhood Memories
Childhood Memories Essay, Research Paper Childhood Memories “My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke and “Piano” by D.H. Lawrence are two poems in which grown men recall memories of their childhood. “My Papa’s Waltz” has a quietly sad, almost resigned tone as Roethke relives his nightly dances with his father as a young boy.
Waltz Essay Research Paper Poetry My Papas
Waltz Essay, Research Paper Poetry ??My Papa??s Waltz?? Theodore Roethke, “My Papa’s Waltz”, Response In “My Papa’s Waltz”, Roethke discusses a very heartbreaking and distressful situation. He talks about alcoholism in the family and how it affects the members of the family. Growing up in a family full of alcoholism and abuse, I can relate to the point of view that this poem is written in.
My PapaS Waltz By Theodore Roethke Essay
?, Research Paper Poetry Report Molly Ruder English 102 “My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke A young boy is waltzing with his drunken father. His mother is unhappy about the commotion they’re making. They danced until the young boy was tired and put him to bed.
Comparison Of My Papa
’s Waltz And Those Winter Sundays Essay, Research Paper My Papa s Waltz and Those Winter Sundays My Papa s Waltz, by Theodore Roethke, and Those Winter Sundays, by Robert Hayden, are two somewhat similar poems about
John Donne Essay Research Paper Although the
John Donne Essay, Research Paper Although the main focus of many of his poems is death, Donne’s ego seems to steal the spotlight. In Holy Sonnet 10, he manages to defend humankind against death, possibly because he feels he cannot be defeated by God. As with most themes in his work, however, he often changes his opinion, leaving a confused reader to attempt to find his real belief about death.
Hamlet 13 Essay Research Paper In Shakespeare
Hamlet 13 Essay, Research Paper In Shakespeare’s tragedy, Hamlet, there are many themes that appear throughout the play. During the sequence of events in the play we see that there are many obvious themes and many underlying themes. One of these themes that can be seen throughout the play is the way characters appear as one thing, and really are different in their actions at different times.
The Spread Of Nuclear Weapons More May
Be Better Essay, Research Paper The Spread of Nuclear Weapons: More May Be Better ??????????? Kenneth Waltz, produces an interesting and semi compelling argument for the use of Nuclear weapons as a way of maintaining the
Significance Of Themes Essay Research Paper Significance
Significance Of Themes Essay, Research Paper Significance of Themes 1. God One of the main theme’s that is displayed throughout Waiting For Godot is the idea that life on earth is more or less a long and confusing wait for God. This theme magnifies the idea that the infamous Godot is actually God and that the play is built upon a structure of Christian morals.
Illiad Essay Research Paper The Illiad has
Illiad Essay, Research Paper The Illiad has by far endured the test of time due to the relation of ancient Greek themes to that of modern day. An abundance of themes from Homer?s era can clearly be observed in today?s society such as emotion, war, and honor. These themes are portrayed throughout the book in various passages, speeches, and dialogue.
Antony Analysis Essay Research Paper Antony Analysis
Antony Analysis Essay, Research Paper Antony Analysis Short Essay The beauty of William Shakespeare s writing does not lie in his actual writing, but the themes in which his plays suggest. Almost all of his plays can be connected to a higher theme, one that most people can relate. In the play, Antony and Cleopatra, the theme of manipulation runs ramped.
Dickens Biography Essay Research Paper In the
Dickens Biography Essay, Research Paper In the Charles Dickens novel, A Tale of Two Cities, symbolism in used to portray the themes though out the book. Through his characters and their actions as well as their
Sasa Essay Research Paper The theme of
Sasa Essay, Research Paper The theme of a book is very important as to understanding what a novel is about as well as teaching a lesson in life. Authors sometimes write books with no theme in mind, but as the words flow from their pen, themes will emerge unknowingly. The themes are vital as to understanding what is happening within the story, and finding out the meaning.
Ivanhoe Strengths Essay Research Paper The greatest
Ivanhoe Strengths Essay, Research Paper The greatest strengths of Ivanhoe were the themes of the novel. All the characters in Ivanhoe were in some way affected by the major theme of the hatred between the
Lonliness In Of Mice And Men Essay
, Research Paper Lonliness in Of Mice and Men The novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinback deals with many themes that are reflective of the time period in which the novel was written. Loneliness is one of the many themes in this novel that are reflective of the time period in which the novel was written. It is shown in many of the characters in the novel.
The Scarlet Ibis By James Hurst Essay
, Research Paper The Scarlet Ibis-Analyze 3 themes. Discuss. In the short story The Scarlet Ibis by James Hurst, has various themes. A theme is a subject, topic or ideas that happen throughout a short story, essay, or a composition. The three themes in The Scarlet Ibis are Doodle never gives up, his older brother loves him and unforeseen things happen.
Homers Ajax Essay Research Paper The relevance
Homer`s Ajax Essay, Research Paper The relevance that the themes of tragedy could have to issues affecting the city-state even in plays whose plots had ostensibly nothing to do with life in a