Family Dysfunction

Between the poems “My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke and “The Video” by Fleur Adcock, the common theme that the authors discuss is family dysfunction. Between the idea of abuse and alcoholic family members as well as the idea of sibling rivalry and replacement, the authors discuss very different perspectives of domestic disorders.
In Fleur Adcock’s “The Video” there is a clear description of jealousy among siblings, originating from Ceri. The narrator talks of how Ceri was ignored even during the birth of her sister when her father says “Move over a bit” (Line 4), signifying how Ceri is going to have to “move over” for her new sister, Laura. This demonstrates the childish characteristic of craving attention instead of embracing a new family member. What is also apparent is the innocence exhibited by Ceri, where she does not actually understand what it means to have a new baby sister. “After she had a little sister, and Mum had gone back to being thin, and was twice as busy…” (Line 7) all that Ceri knows is that something has intruded into her life and is now causing her family to ignore her.
The familial dysfunction that is exhibited in Theodore Roethke’s poem, “My Papa’s Waltz”, is much different and exhibits a much more morbid connotation. The narrator starts out referencing the main problem, which is the alcoholism that is destroying their family. The waltz that is being referred to is the physical abuse that the narrator sustains from his Papa, with phrases like “We romped until the pans slid from the kitchen shelf” (Line 5) or “The hand that held my wrist was battered on one knuckle” (Line 9) all referring to the abuse, while the mother stands by idly unable to do anything.
Competition between siblings is considered relatively normal compared to domestic and physical abuse from a parent. However, “The Video” relates well to the Year of the City because it shows how Ceri has to accept her new sister, much like how Loyola College has to become more accepting and involved with the community of Baltimore and all it has to offer.