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In his poem, “The Waking”, Theodore Roethke explores the uncertainty of life, the inevitability of death, and the purpose of existence. ... Roethke’s attitude, tone, word choice and organization all help convey these themes and provide insight into the writer’s perception of life and reality.
Roethke illustrates the uncertainty of life primarily in his use of irony in line 16, illustrating that “This shaking keeps me steady”. By depicting the uncertainty that exists in life in the form of an action, Roethke not only exemplifies the abstract theme of the poem, but also shows that uncertainty must be accepted, not rejected, in order to lead a successful life. ... In addition, placing this pivotal statement at the beginning of the closing stanza, Roethke uses organization to bring life’s uncertainty to the forefront and connecting it to the poem’s many other themes.
In “The Waking”, Roethke expresses beliefs in how life should be lived and the purpose that mankind exists for.
Approximate Word count = 719
Approximate Pages = 2.9
(250 words per page double spaced)
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