Student Question
In "Those Winter Sundays" by Robert Hayden, why does the speaker feel guilty about his youth?
Quick answer:
The speaker in "Those Winter Sundays" feels guilty about his youth because he now understands his indifference and ingratitude toward his father's sacrifices. His father worked hard during the week and still rose early on cold Sundays to warm the house and shine his son's shoes. The speaker regrets not recognizing or thanking his father for these acts of love, realizing that true love often goes unacknowledged.
In the poem "Those Winter Sundays" by Robert Hayden, the speaker feels guilty when he thinks of his youth because he now realizes that he was indifferent and ungrateful towards his father who sacrificed so much for him. The poet's father rose early on Sundays in the winter; in the dark cold mornings he would light a fire to warm up the house for the family. The father would also shine the boy's shoes. The father sacrificed for his family through hard work during the work week. On the weekend, the father still directed his energies to serving his family.
Now, the poet looks back on those days with regret. He notes that no one ever thanked the father for all he did. He now realizes that love is doing what is necessary to serve others, even though thanks and recognition is often not forthcoming.
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