“For a Father” by Elise Partridge: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “For a Father” by Elise Partridge

“For a Father” by Elise Partridge first appeared in 2008 in her poetry collection Chameleon Hours, published by The University of Chicago Press. This poignant poem explores themes of loss and the enduring memory of a loved one, particularly a father. Partridge vividly recalls the father’s playful and adventurous spirit, with memories of moments like skating and attending the fair. The poem transitions to a somber tone at the father’s funeral, contrasting the vibrancy of life with the finality of death. The repeated plea of “Wait!” expresses the speaker’s longing to hold onto these memories, symbolizing the wish to stop time and preserve the connection. The poem’s popularity lies in its emotional depth and universal exploration of grief, nostalgia, and the impact of familial bonds. Its ability to resonate with readers who have faced loss contributes to its wide appeal.

Text: “For a Father” by Elise Partridge

Annotations: “For a Father” by Elise Partridge

Line	Explanation	Literary Devices
Remember after work you grabbed our skateboard,	The speaker recalls a time when their father grabbed a skateboard after work.	Allusion (reference to the father’s playful nature), Imagery (the act of grabbing a skateboard creates a mental picture).
crouched like a surfer, wingtips over the edge;	The father crouched down like a surfer, with his shoes almost going over the edge.	Simile (comparing the father’s posture to a surfer), Imagery (visual image of the father crouching).
wheels clacketing down the pocked macadam,	The sound of the skateboard wheels clacking on the rough road.	Onomatopoeia (clacketing, mimicking the sound of the wheels), Imagery (the sound and texture of the road).
you veered almost straight into the neighbor’s hedge?	The father almost crashed into the neighbor’s hedge while skating.	Allusion (reference to the father’s adventurous behavior), Imagery (the motion and danger of veering).
We ran after you laughing, shouting, Wait!	The speaker and others ran after the father, laughing and shouting to wait.	Action/Imagery (running and shouting), Onomatopoeia (shouting “Wait!”), Repetition (the repeated word “Wait!” for emphasis).
Or that August night you swept us to the fair?	The speaker recalls an August night when the father took them to the fair.	Imagery (setting the scene at night), Personification (swept us—suggests an easy, carefree motion).
The tallest person boarding the Ferris wheel,	The father was the tallest person on the Ferris wheel.	Imagery (mental picture of the tallest person), Hyperbole (emphasizing the height of the father).
you rocked our car right when we hit the apex	The father made their Ferris wheel car rock at the highest point.	Imagery (visualizing the rocking motion), Personification (the Ferris wheel car “hitting” the apex as though it has its own will).
above the winking midway, to make us squeal.	The Ferris wheel car was above the fairground, which was lively and blinking with lights.	Imagery (description of the fair with “winking” lights), Personification (“winking” gives human-like quality to the lights).
Next we raced you to the games, shouting, Wait!	After the Ferris wheel, they raced their father to the games, shouting for him to wait.	Repetition (the repeated “Wait!”), Imagery (the race to the games).
At your funeral, relatives and neighbors,	The poem shifts to a more somber scene—attending the father’s funeral.	Imagery (funeral scene, evoking sadness), Juxtaposition (moving from playful memories to death).
shaking our hands, said, “So young to have died!”	People at the funeral remarked how young the father was to have passed away.	Dialogue (quotes from the funeral visitors), Hyperbole (“so young to have died!” is an exaggerated expression of shock).
But we’ve dreamt you’re just skating streets away,	The speaker imagines the father is still alive, skating somewhere.	Imagery (dreamlike visual of the father skating), Metaphor (dreams stand in for the hope that the father is still alive).
striding the fairgrounds toward a wilder ride.	In the dream, the father is walking toward the fairground, ready for more adventures.	Imagery (visualizing the father walking confidently), Metaphor (“a wilder ride” suggests new experiences or adventures).
And we’re still straggling behind, shouting, Wait—!	The speaker and others are left behind, still shouting for the father to wait.	Repetition (the word “Wait!” again emphasizes longing), Imagery (feeling left behind, straggling), Symbolism (“Wait!” symbolizes the desire to hold onto the past).

Literary And Poetic Devices: “For a Father” by Elise Partridge

Literary/Poetic Device	Definition	Example from Poem	Explanation
Alliteration	Repetition of initial consonant sounds.	“rocked our car right”	Emphasizes rhythm and creates a playful tone.
Allusion	Reference to a known event, person, or memory.	“Remember after work you grabbed our skateboard”	Refers to a specific personal memory, adding intimacy.
Anaphora	Repetition at the start of successive clauses.	Repeated phrase: “shouting, Wait!”	Highlights urgency and emotional longing.
Assonance	Repetition of vowel sounds within words.	“crouched like a surfer”	Enhances rhythm and creates musical quality.
Consonance	Repetition of consonant sounds within words.	“wheels clacketing down the pocked macadam”	Emphasizes the sound and movement vividly.
Enjambment	Continuation of lines without pause or punctuation.	“you rocked our car right when we hit the apex / above the winking midway…”	Conveys ongoing movement and excitement.
Hyperbole	Exaggeration for emphasis or effect.	“The tallest person boarding the Ferris wheel”	Emphasizes the father’s lively and memorable presence.
Imagery	Language appealing to the senses.	“wheels clacketing down the pocked macadam”	Creates a vivid sensory picture of sound and movement.
Irony	Contrast between expectation and reality.	“So young to have died!”	Contrasts joyful memories with the tragedy of death.
Juxtaposition	Placing contrasting ideas side-by-side.	Playful skating memory vs. funeral scene	Highlights contrast between life’s joy and death’s sorrow.
Metaphor	Direct comparison without using “like” or “as.”	“striding the fairgrounds toward a wilder ride”	Implies life after death as an adventurous journey.
Onomatopoeia	Words imitating natural sounds.	“wheels clacketing”	Imitates sound vividly, enhancing realism.
Personification	Giving human traits to non-human objects.	“winking midway”	Gives the lights at the fair human-like liveliness.
Repetition	Repeating words or phrases for emphasis.	“shouting, Wait!”	Reinforces emotional urgency and longing.
Rhetorical Question	Question posed for effect, not requiring an answer.	“Or that August night you swept us to the fair?”	Engages readers, evoking reflective nostalgia.
Simile	Comparison using “like” or “as.”	“crouched like a surfer”	Creates clear visual image of father’s posture.
Symbolism	Object or action representing deeper meaning.	The repeated word “Wait”	Symbolizes longing to preserve memories and connection.
Tone	The emotional attitude conveyed by the writer.	Joyful memories vs. sad funeral	Creates emotional shifts to deepen reader’s empathy.
Visual Imagery	Imagery specifically evoking visual sense.	“wheels clacketing down the pocked macadam”	Paints vivid visual images, emphasizing realism.
Onomatopoeia (Sound Imagery)	Words that mimic natural sounds.	“clacketing”	Enhances realism and sensory experience.

Themes: “For a Father” by Elise Partridge

Theme	Explanation with Examples from the Poem
Childhood and Nostalgia	In “For a Father,” Partridge vividly evokes nostalgia by recalling playful, childhood experiences with the father. The imagery of the father skating—“crouched like a surfer, wingtips over the edge”—captures carefree moments from the speaker’s past. These joyful scenes, such as attending the fair or racing after the skateboard, highlight a deep sense of longing for the simplicity and warmth of childhood memories.
Death and Loss	“For a Father” poignantly contrasts joyful, lively memories with the harsh reality of death. Lines like “At your funeral, relatives and neighbors… ‘So young to have died!'” sharply shift the tone, emphasizing the sudden and painful impact of loss. This juxtaposition underscores the shock and sadness of losing a loved one prematurely, accentuating the emotional weight carried throughout the poem.
Longing and Regret	Throughout “For a Father,” the repeated phrase “shouting, Wait!” symbolizes the speaker’s deep longing and regret over lost opportunities and time cut short. The final line—“And we’re still straggling behind, shouting, Wait—!”—emphasizes a lingering sense of yearning, suggesting an endless emotional desire to reconnect with the lost father.
Memory as Continuation of Life	In “For a Father,” Partridge emphasizes that memories keep loved ones spiritually alive beyond death. Lines such as “But we’ve dreamt you’re just skating streets away” suggest that vivid memories allow the father’s spirit to continue in the minds and hearts of those who remember him, offering emotional comfort and a sense of continued connection beyond physical loss.

Literary Theories and “For a Father” by Elise Partridge

Literary Theory	Explanation with Examples from “For a Father”
Biographical Criticism	This approach connects the text to Elise Partridge’s personal life, examining how real-life experiences shaped the poem. In “For a Father,” the intimate details, such as the father riding a skateboard or taking children to the fair, suggest authentic autobiographical memories influencing the emotional depth of the poem.
Formalism (New Criticism)	“For a Father” uses careful structure, imagery, and repetition to create emotional impact. The repetition of “Wait!” emphasizes urgency and longing. Similarly, careful imagery such as “wheels clacketing down the pocked macadam” contributes to the poem’s vividness and emotional resonance.
Reader-Response Criticism	This theory emphasizes the reader’s personal reactions and interpretations. “For a Father” invites readers to reflect upon their own experiences of family, loss, and nostalgia. Lines like “At your funeral, relatives and neighbors… ‘So young to have died!'” allow readers to engage emotionally by connecting their personal losses with the poem’s themes.
Structuralism	Examines how the poem’s structure and repeated patterns reveal meaning. In “For a Father,” the repetition of “shouting, Wait!” structures the poem, reinforcing the theme of longing and the desire to freeze joyful moments before they are lost to time and mortality.

Critical Questions about “For a Father” by Elise Partridge

1. How does Elise Partridge convey the theme of nostalgia in “For a Father”?
   Partridge conveys nostalgia through vivid, playful imagery and memories. The speaker fondly remembers moments such as when the father “grabbed our skateboard,” and “crouched like a surfer,” creating a powerful visual of carefree joy. Nostalgia is further strengthened in the memory of the fair, “that August night you swept us to the fair,” highlighting joyful times now lost. The repeated calls of “Wait!” suggest a yearning to return to these carefree moments, capturing nostalgia’s bittersweet desire to relive past happiness.
2. What literary devices emphasize the suddenness of loss in “For a Father”?
   Partridge emphasizes sudden loss through juxtaposition and irony. The poem shifts abruptly from joyful memories like “you rocked our car right when we hit the apex” to the stark reality of “At your funeral,” highlighting the abrupt transition from life to death. Additionally, the ironic remark from mourners, “So young to have died!” heightens the emotional shock, contrasting sharply with the lively father depicted earlier.
3. In what ways does repetition enhance the emotional intensity in “For a Father”?
   Repetition, specifically of the phrase “shouting, Wait!” significantly enhances the poem’s emotional intensity. This phrase, repeated after each vivid memory, highlights the speaker’s desperate desire to pause and hold onto fleeting moments. The poem concludes powerfully with “And we’re still straggling behind, shouting, Wait—!” reinforcing the emotional longing and unresolved grief felt by those left behind.
4. How is imagery used to bring memories to life in “For a Father”?
   Imagery is used extensively throughout the poem, vividly capturing scenes of joyful family moments. Examples include auditory imagery—”wheels clacketing down the pocked macadam,” visual imagery such as “winking midway,” and sensory imagery evident in “you rocked our car right when we hit the apex.” Each scene draws the reader deeply into the lived experiences, allowing them to fully appreciate the intimacy and warmth of these memories.
5. How does Partridge utilize symbolism in “For a Father” to represent longing and emotional connection?
   Symbolism in “For a Father” centers around the recurring phrase “Wait!” symbolizing the speaker’s wish to freeze time and maintain connection with the father even after his death. Each instance of this repeated word represents a plea against mortality’s inevitability and symbolizes a universal desire to extend cherished moments indefinitely. The skateboard and the fair symbolize the joy and vibrancy of the father’s life, contrasted sharply with the silence and stillness of death.

Literary Works Similar to “For a Father” by Elise Partridge

1. “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas:
   This poem passionately explores themes of resisting death and cherishing life, similar to Partridge’s emotional plea “Wait—!” reflecting a struggle against the inevitability of loss.
2. “My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke:
   Roethke’s poem vividly portrays nostalgic childhood memories with a father, paralleling the tender, joyful recollections found in Partridge’s depiction of family moments.
3. “Those Winter Sundays” by Robert Hayden:
   Like Partridge, Roethke’s poem uses detailed imagery and memory to reflect on parental love and sacrifice, evoking nostalgia and deep appreciation.
4. “Mid-Term Break” by Seamus Heaney:
   Heaney’s poem shares the suddenness of loss and the emotional shock of a loved one’s death, echoing the abrupt transition in Partridge’s lines about attending the funeral.
5. “The Lanyard” by Billy Collins:
   This poem humorously yet poignantly highlights parental love and childhood gratitude, paralleling the affectionate, nostalgic memories depicted by Partridge as she recalls moments shared with her father.

Representative Quotations of “For a Father” by Elise Partridge

Quotation from “For a Father”	Context and Explanation	Theoretical Perspective
“Remember after work you grabbed our skateboard,”	Reflects a vivid memory illustrating the father’s playful personality and closeness to his children.	Biographical Criticism: The poet’s personal experiences shape the intimate tone.
“crouched like a surfer, wingtips over the edge;”	Describes the father’s posture humorously and vividly, showing a carefree attitude despite adult responsibilities.	Imagery: Visually emphasizes carefree spontaneity.
“wheels clacketing down the pocked macadam,”	Captures the father skateboarding, highlighting the playful and vivid childhood memory through sensory details.	Formalism: The auditory imagery enhances emotional immediacy.
“you veered almost straight into the neighbor’s hedge?”	Highlights the playful risk-taking of the father, emphasizing youthful spirit and vitality.	Reader-Response Criticism: Invites readers to connect emotionally with similar memories.
“We ran after you laughing, shouting, Wait!”	Reflects the children’s joy and their desire to prolong the happy moment, symbolizing a wish to delay adulthood or loss.	Symbolism: “Wait” symbolizes the attempt to hold onto fleeting joy.
“Or that August night you swept us to the fair?”	Recalls a warm, carefree moment shared at a fair, symbolizing family bonding and happiness.	New Historicism: Reflects culturally shared experiences of familial joy and leisure.
“you rocked our car right when we hit the apex”	Captures a thrilling, joyful moment, representing the father’s desire to create lasting memories for his children.	Structuralism: Highlights patterns of memory emphasizing family unity.
“At your funeral, relatives and neighbors,”	Marks a sharp turn from joyful recollections to the painful present of mourning and loss.	Psychoanalytic Criticism: Reveals unconscious feelings of denial and grief.
“But we’ve dreamt you’re just skating streets away,”	Expresses denial or hope through dreams, suggesting the difficulty of accepting loss.	Psychoanalytic Criticism: Reflects unconscious desires to reject reality.
“And we’re still straggling behind, shouting, Wait—!”	Repeats the urgent longing to preserve connection, symbolizing an endless emotional struggle against the finality of death.	Structuralism: Uses repetition structurally to underscore central themes of longing and loss.

Suggested Readings: “For a Father” by Elise Partridge

1. Partridge, Elise. “For a Father.” Chameleon Hours, University of Chicago Press, 2008.
2. Partridge, Elise. “For a Father.” Poetry Foundation, 2008,. Originally published in Chameleon Hours (University of Chicago Press, 2008). https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/57181/for-a-father