Upon first reading "Root Cellar" one is inclined to think that Theodore Roethke's feeling of this place are of horror and disgust. I on the other hand believe the poem portraits a man who is caught in a state of wondered fascination in a place where life and beauty are abundant.

While reading the poem the first time through, a picture is painted. It is that of dark looming place, smelly and old. The first nine lines are filled with words such as "dank", "dark", and "manure". These words at first glance might be mistaken as pessimistic in tone. However, the second to final line introduces the word "life". I believe it is the introduction of this word that changes the tone of the poem from pessimistic, to optimistic. Why else would the mention of life exist? If he hated the place he was speaking of so much, one would make the assumption he would stick strictly to the negative aspects of it. This optimistic tone is further expressed in the final line "Even the dirt kept breathing a small breath." (11). This is yet another time in which he focuses on something rather pleasant, as apposed to foul a

I feel there is a juvenile wonderment to this poem. One gets the sense that the poet is trying to gross you out with what he liked so much. Kind of like the kid who eats the worm and relishes the attention it brings him. But underneath that exterior, I believe the poet is showing a liking of, perhaps even a loving for this secret place. I say secret because it is apparent that it is not kept up and is in a state of degradation. One must look rather deeply to uncover his fondness for this place however. It lies in the poet's attention to the little nuances in the environment of the "Root Cellar". Everything is there, "mildewed crates" (4) tells us that it is probably a cool moist place he is speaking of. There's the "congress of stinks!-" (5) and "Leaf-mold, manure, lime, piled against slippery planks." (9). The poet creates such a complete world that you can almost feel the wet soft earth underfoot, and the moist air in your nose. I believe that it is this attention to detail, which shows us a love for this spot. It is apparent that the poet is very familiar with this place. But in what way? One might think he was stuck down there, against his will perhaps. H

Some common words found in the essay are:
Theodore Roethke's, Root Cellar, root cellar, theodore roethke's, final lines, roots ripe bait, stinks- 5, congress stinks- 5, life exist, ripe bait, roots ripe, congress stinks-, trying beauty, final line,
Approximate Word count = 795
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)