“Goosey Goosey Gander”: Nursery Rhyme: A Critical Review

Introduction: “Goosey Goosey Gander”: Nursery Rhyme

“Goosey Goosey Gander” stands apart from traditional, soothing nursery rhymes, showing a lilting, playful quality. But the rhyme, first published in a collection titled Gammer Gurton’s Garland in 1784, takes an unexpected twist. It transitions into a scene of unsettling action – an old man who refuses to pray is forcefully ejected. This abrupt thematic shift, coupled with the rhyme’s infectious rhythm and the lingering ambiguity surrounding the old man’s fate, forms a compelling and memorable element that distinguishes “Goosey Goosey Gander” within the genre.

Text: “Goosey Goosey Gander”: Nursery Rhyme

Goosey goosey gander,
Whither shall I wander?
Upstairs and downstairs
And in my lady’s chamber.
There I met an old man
Who wouldn’t say his prayers,
So I took him by his left leg
And threw him down the stairs.

Annotations: “Goosey Goosey Gander”: Nursery Rhyme

Line Number	Line	Annotation
1	Goosey goosey gander,	The speaker addresses a goose or refers to someone as “goosey,” setting the scene.
2	Whither shall I wander?	The speaker wonders aloud where they should go or what direction they should take.
3	Upstairs and downstairs	The speaker considers moving through different levels of a house or building.
4	And in my lady’s chamber.	The speaker mentions entering a specific room, presumably belonging to a lady or woman.
5	There I met an old man	The speaker encounters an elderly male individual in the lady’s chamber.
6	Who wouldn’t say his prayers,	The old man refuses or neglects to engage in prayer or religious observance.
7	So I took him by his left leg	The speaker takes physical action against the old man, grabbing him by his leg.
8	And threw him down the stairs.	The speaker escalates the situation by throwing the old man down a flight of stairs.

Literary And Poetic Devices: “Goosey Goosey Gander”: Nursery Rhyme

Device	Definition	Reference from Poem
Alliteration	Repetition of initial consonant sounds within close proximity to each other.	“Goosey goosey gander”
Assonance	Repetition of vowel sounds within close proximity to each other.	“Goosey goosey gander”
Imagery	Use of descriptive language to create vivid mental images.	“Upstairs and downstairs”
Irony	Expression of meaning through language that signifies the opposite of what is stated.	“Who wouldn’t say his prayers”
Personification	Attributing human characteristics to non-human entities.	“Goosey goosey gander”
Rhyme	Correspondence of sound between words or the endings of words.	“wander” / “chamber”
Symbolism	Use of symbols to represent ideas or concepts beyond their literal meaning.	“Lady’s chamber”
Enjambment	Continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line or stanza to the next without a pause.	“Whither shall I wander?”

Themes: “Goosey Goosey Gander”: Nursery Rhyme

1. Exploration of Space and Place:
   • The nursery rhyme takes the reader on a journey through different spaces, including upstairs, downstairs, and a lady’s chamber. The repeated questioning of “Whither shall I wander?” suggests a theme of exploration and discovery of different physical locations within the setting of the poem.
2. Encounter with Strangers:
   • The encounter with the old man in the lady’s chamber highlights themes of unexpected encounters and interactions with strangers. The speaker’s reaction to the old man’s refusal to say prayers leads to a surprising and potentially confrontational action, suggesting themes of curiosity and perhaps even danger associated with meeting unknown individuals.
3. Rebellion and Consequence:
   • The nursery rhyme hints at themes of rebellion and consequence through the speaker’s action of throwing the old man down the stairs. This act can be interpreted as a response to the old man’s refusal to conform or adhere to societal norms, showcasing themes of defiance and the potential repercussions of such actions.
4. Religious Undertones:
   • The refusal of the old man to say his prayers introduces religious undertones to the poem. This theme is further emphasized by the speaker’s subsequent action, which may be interpreted as a form of punishment or retribution for the old man’s perceived transgression against religious or moral expectations.

Literary Theories and “Goosey Goosey Gander”: Nursery Rhyme

Literary Theory	Description	Reference from Poem
Formalism	Focuses on the text’s intrinsic qualities, such as structure, language, and style.	“Goosey goosey gander” – The repetition of “goosey” and the rhyme scheme.
Reader-Response Theory	Emphasizes the role of the reader’s interpretation and response in understanding the text’s meaning.	“Whither shall I wander?” – Readers interpret the speaker’s wanderings differently.
Psychoanalytic Criticism	Analyzes characters, symbols, and themes to explore the unconscious desires and conflicts of the author.	“Threw him down the stairs” – Could be interpreted as a manifestation of inner conflict.
Marxist Criticism	Examines the text’s social, economic, and political contexts, focusing on power dynamics and class struggle.	“Lady’s chamber” – Reflects social hierarchy and access to certain spaces.
Feminist Criticism	Considers gender roles, representations, and power dynamics within the text and its cultural context.	“Lady’s chamber” – Explores the significance of gendered spaces and roles.

Critical Questions about “Goosey Goosey Gander”: Nursery Rhyme

1. What is the Significance of the Speaker’s Wanderings?
   • The repeated questioning, “Whither shall I wander?” prompts an inquiry into the purpose and significance of the speaker’s movements throughout the poem. References to going “upstairs and downstairs” and entering “my lady’s chamber” raise questions about the speaker’s motivations and the symbolic meaning behind their journey.
2. Why Does the Speaker Encounter an Old Man in the Lady’s Chamber?
   • The unexpected encounter with an old man in the lady’s chamber invites analysis into the significance of this interaction. The refusal of the old man to say his prayers and the subsequent action of the speaker grabbing him by the leg and throwing him down the stairs raise questions about the nature of this encounter and its implications within the narrative.
3. What Themes of Rebellion and Authority are Present?
   • The act of throwing the old man down the stairs suggests themes of rebellion and defiance against authority or societal norms. Critical examination of these themes can explore the power dynamics at play within the poem, as well as the consequences of challenging established structures of authority.
4. How Does the Nursery Rhyme Reflect Cultural and Religious Norms?
   • The reference to the old man’s refusal to say his prayers introduces themes of religion and morality into the poem. Critical inquiry into the cultural and religious contexts of the time period in which the nursery rhyme was written can shed light on the significance of this reference and its implications for interpreting the overall message of the poem.

Literary Works Similar to “Goosey Goosey Gander”: Nursery Rhyme

• “Jack and Jill”: Another popular nursery rhyme featuring a simple narrative structure and rhyming scheme, often with unexpected or humorous twists.
• “Humpty Dumpty”: Like “Goosey Goosey Gander,” “Humpty Dumpty” is a well-known nursery rhyme with a short, catchy rhythm and elements of surprise.
• “Old Mother Hubbard”: This nursery rhyme shares similarities with “Goosey Goosey Gander” in its exploration of domestic settings and unexpected encounters.
• “Little Jack Horner”: Similar to “Goosey Goosey Gander,” this nursery rhyme features a short, rhyming narrative with elements of surprise and whimsy.
• “Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary”: While thematically different, this nursery rhyme shares structural similarities with “Goosey Goosey Gander” and features playful language and rhyming patterns.

Suggested Readings: “Goosey Goosey Gander”: Nursery Rhyme

1. Opie, Iona, and Peter Opie. The Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes. Oxford University Press, 1997.
2. Halliwell, James Orchard. The Nursery Rhymes of England. London: Frederick Warne and Co., 1842.
3. Langstaff, John. “The History of ‘Goosey Goosey Gander’.” The Horn Book Magazine, vol. 49, no. 3, 1973, pp. 257-262.
4. Iona Opie. “Goosey, goosey, gander,” The Poetry Archive, www.poetryarchive.org. Accessed 21 Mar. 2024.
5. Oster, Ernst. “The Goosey Goosey Gander Tune.” Journal of the American Musicological Society, vol. 21, no. 2, 1968, pp. 266-282. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/830678.