Pressure to Conform to Societal Norms

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"The Waltz" explores several significant themes. One prominent theme is the pressure to adhere to societal norms. Social expectations dictate that women should attend to men's desires. Consequently, the narrator struggles to decline a dance invitation or express her annoyance with the waltz. This situation highlights another common theme in Parker's works: the communication gap between genders. Rather than voicing her displeasure, the narrator endures the waltz in silence. Complaining could stop the dance, make her seem unfeminine, and leave her isolated—actions considered unsuitable for a woman in a social context.

Women's Over-Reliance on Men

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A related concern is women's excessive dependence on men. Whether influenced by societal expectations or personal limitations, the narrator appears to favor the company of even the most uncultured men over her independence, perhaps for a particular reason. If she opted not to dance, she would be the sole woman at her table without a partner, rendering independence akin to isolation. Through the narrator's physical unease, Parker underscores the price of her dependence.

Disappointments in Modern Relationships

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Ultimately, "The Waltz" implies that love—or what is considered love in contemporary relationships—is filled with disappointments. Couples frequently end up together as a "last resort." Intimate encounters are hurried and unsatisfying. Abuse occurs. Still, the dance goes on, with individuals not learning from past experiences. In its allegorical form, "The Waltz" offers a realistic depiction of a couple, removing the romanticized facade of classic love tales.

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