Topic > Analysis of the poem Those Winter Sundays

“Those Winter Sundays” written by Robert Hayden illustrates the struggles that parents have undertaken for their children, which sometimes go unnoticed. By writing from a parental perspective, the poet makes the speaker reflect on the father's leadership style. Many sacrifices were made by the father without even contemplating something in return. The poem, therefore, depicts the treatment of parents as an unselfish and sometimes thankless job. A recurring theme is family and the difficulties of parenting. The narrator admits how, after all his hard work and devotion as a boy, he was indifferent and hostile towards his father. In addition to practically heating the house, the father was a servant who performed tedious tasks such as polishing his son's boots. The key themes of the poem are passion, pain and parenthood. The poet offers an insight into his father's struggle. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay One of his many sacrifices is when he wakes up early, even if he is exhausted from working outside during the week he still goes out to light the fire light to bring warmth into the house. He also does this on Sundays, which suggests he does this for the rest of the week. This compassionate routine indicates that emotional warmth is present throughout this poem. As we age, wisdom and sophistication change our view of the future. In "Those Winter Sundays", Robert Hayden refers to a person who reflects on his history and apathy towards his father as a boy. As an adult, the speaker realizes what he sadly missed as a child. Now he understood how his father's affection played out. The speaker now realizes how difficult and lonely parental roles can be and how they are cared for selflessly and without mutual anticipation. The different elements of the poem support this argument and add to the emotional appeal of the poem. The author conveys to the child a feeling of uncertainty and worry about his father and home when he states: “Fearing the chronic waves of anger from that home”. He was also scolded by his father for improving his physical fitness. The use of language suggested that his ungrateful son was unable to understand his parents' difficulties The speaker then regrets his father's insensitive conduct Now, as an adult, he recalls and recounts some important moments to show his appreciation for life of his father.In the final lines of the poem, he talks about how he did not understand that his father's behavior of polishing shoes and making fire was an expression of the love his father had for him and his family maturity, he finally understands that his father was making sacrifices for him and his family. Works CitedHayden, R. (1962). (2019). The poem that will make you cry: "Those Winter Sundays" by Robert Hayden. Foundation for Poetry. Retrieved from: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/articles/69981/the-poem-that-will-make-you-cry-those-winter-sundays-by-robert-haydenBeavers, H. (2015). Poetry Analysis: Those Winter Sundays by Robert Hayden. Owl. Retrieved from: https://owlcation.com/humanities/Poem-Analysis-Those-Winter-Sundays-by-Robert-HaydenFagan, D. (2018). An analysis of "Those Winter Sundays" by Robert Hayden. LetterPile. Retrieved from: https://letterpile.com/poetry/An-Analysis-of-Robert-Haydens-Those-Winter-SundaysHirsch, E. D. (2013). A poet of greatness and iniquity. The New York Times. Retrieved from: https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/24/books/review/a-poet-of-grandeur-and-inequity.htmlAnderson, D.: