Stray Thoughts on Roethke and Teaching Summary and Analysis

Hugo begins this chapter with a description of Roethke, his writing teacher in the fall of 1947 at the University of Washington. Though Hugo insists Roethke didn't have a poor self image, Hugo writes the man's way of movement and poise indicated he had a bad opinion of himself. Though he was eager to please in his manner of teaching, especially eager to please the rich, Roethke had a very gruff teaching style. However, Roethke also appears to have had a kindness in him toward his writing students. Hugo's choice of including this teacher and fellow poet in his book indicates Roethke was one of the people who had the greatest influences on Hugo's writing.

Hugo writes that the most important quality Roethke instilled in his students was the love of the...