“Humpty Dumpty Sat on a Wall” by Mother Goose: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “Humpty Dumpty Sat on a Wall” by Mother Goose

“Humpty Dumpty Sat on a Wall,” a well-known nursery rhyme by Mother Goose, first appeared in the early 19th century, notably in Samuel Arnold’s Juvenile Amusements in 1797, though it became widely popular through collections like Mother Goose’s Melody published in the 19th century. The rhyme was often sung to children as a playful and rhythmic chant, capturing the imagination with its simple narrative. Its main qualities include the use of rhyme, rhythm, and repetition, making it easy to remember and sing. The main idea centers on Humpty Dumpty, typically represented as an egg, who falls from a wall and cannot be repaired, despite the efforts of “all the king’s horses and all the king’s men.” The story reflects themes of fragility and irreversibility, often interpreted as a metaphor for something broken beyond repair.

Text: “Humpty Dumpty Sat on a Wall” by Mother Goose

Annotations: “Humpty Dumpty Sat on a Wall” by Mother Goose

Line	Detailed Annotation
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall	The opening line introduces the character Humpty Dumpty, traditionally depicted as an egg-like figure, sitting on a high, precarious position. The wall represents a state of balance, but also vulnerability, foreshadowing an impending event. The image of sitting on a wall may symbolize complacency or risk.
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall	This line narrates the pivotal event, where Humpty Dumpty falls from the wall. The “great fall” emphasizes the severity and magnitude of the accident, suggesting a major, possibly irreversible, downfall or failure. It symbolizes a sudden disruption of stability.
All the king’s horses and all the king’s men	The phrase introduces the response to the fall, where the highest level of authority—the king’s forces—attempts to intervene. “Horses and men” symbolize the use of physical power and human effort, implying that every available resource is mobilized to repair the damage.
Couldn’t put Humpty together again	Despite the combined effort of all these forces, Humpty remains broken, signaling the finality of the fall. This line suggests themes of irreparability and loss, indicating that some events or mistakes cannot be undone, regardless of the intervention. It conveys a message about the limitations of power and effort in reversing certain kinds of damage.

Literary And Poetic Devices: “Humpty Dumpty Sat on a Wall” by Mother Goose

Device	Short Definition	Example	Full Explanation
Assonance	Repetition of vowel sounds within nearby words.	“All the king’s horses”	The repetition of the short “i” sound in “king’s” and “horses” adds a rhythmic quality to the line, enhancing the musicality of the nursery rhyme.
End Rhyme	Rhyming of the final words in lines.	“wall” and “fall”	The rhyme between “wall” and “fall” creates a predictable and satisfying rhyme scheme, which is typical in nursery rhymes to engage young listeners.
Imagery	Descriptive language that appeals to the senses.	“Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall”	The image of Humpty Dumpty sitting on a high wall helps the reader visualize the character in a precarious position, setting the stage for his eventual fall.
Internal Rhyme	Rhyming of words within a single line.	“Humpty Dumpty had a great fall”	The internal rhyme between “Humpty” and “Dumpty” within the same line creates a pleasing sound pattern that contributes to the rhythm of the rhyme.
Metaphor	A figure of speech that implies a comparison between two things.	Humpty Dumpty as a metaphor for fragility.	Humpty Dumpty, often depicted as an egg, is a metaphor for fragility or vulnerability, emphasizing that some things are easily broken and cannot be repaired.
Personification	Giving human characteristics to non-human things.	“All the king’s horses and all the king’s men”	The horses are described as being involved in trying to fix Humpty Dumpty, giving them human-like abilities and highlighting the absurdity of the task.
Repetition	Repeating words or phrases for emphasis or rhythm.	“Humpty Dumpty”	The repeated use of “Humpty Dumpty” in the first two lines reinforces the character’s central role in the rhyme and makes the structure more predictable and child-friendly.
Rhythm	A strong, regular pattern of sounds or beats in a poem.	The consistent rhythm throughout the rhyme.	The nursery rhyme follows a consistent rhythm that helps make it memorable, with a pattern of stresses and syllables that create a sing-song effect, typical in children’s poetry.
Symbolism	Use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.	Humpty Dumpty as a symbol of failure.	Humpty Dumpty symbolizes fragility and failure. His fall and the inability to be fixed can represent any irreparable loss, often interpreted in cultural or philosophical contexts.

Themes: “Humpty Dumpty Sat on a Wall” by Mother Goose

• Fragility and Vulnerability: The central theme of “Humpty Dumpty Sat on a Wall” is fragility, which is represented by Humpty Dumpty’s fall from the wall. The image of Humpty Dumpty sitting in a high, precarious position highlights his vulnerability. When he falls and “all the king’s horses and all the king’s men” are unable to restore him, it symbolizes that some things are inherently fragile and, once broken, cannot be repaired. This fragility can be seen as a metaphor for the delicate nature of life or situations that can irreversibly change with one sudden event.
• Inevitability of Loss: Another significant theme is the inevitability of loss or failure. The poem presents a situation where no matter the efforts made by “all the king’s men,” they are unable to reverse the damage caused by Humpty Dumpty’s fall. This suggests that certain losses or failures in life are unavoidable and that there are limits to what can be fixed. The rhyme’s simplicity underscores this poignant reality: some events, once they happen, cannot be undone.
• The Limits of Power: The inability of “all the king’s horses and all the king’s men” to restore Humpty Dumpty represents the theme of the limits of power. Despite the authority and resources symbolized by the king’s forces, they are powerless to change the outcome. This theme reflects the idea that even those in positions of great power and influence may be unable to solve certain problems or prevent some forms of loss. The inclusion of the king’s forces highlights the notion that not all things are within human control, regardless of status or strength.
• Irreversibility: The finality of Humpty Dumpty’s situation is underscored by the rhyme’s concluding line: “Couldn’t put Humpty together again.” This reinforces the theme of irreversibility. Once Humpty has fallen, no amount of effort can return things to the way they were. This theme touches on the idea that certain actions, decisions, or events in life lead to consequences that cannot be undone, highlighting the permanence of some forms of damage.

Literary Theories and “Humpty Dumpty Sat on a Wall” by Mother Goose

Literary Theory	Explanation	References from the Poem
Structuralism	Structuralism focuses on the underlying structures within language and literature. In this context, the nursery rhyme follows a clear pattern of repetition and rhyme, which is typical in children’s literature. The structure emphasizes predictability and ease of memorization.	The rhyme uses a simple ABAB structure: “Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.” The repetitive and predictable form aligns with structuralist ideas that meaning is derived from patterns within the text, rather than individual interpretation.
Psychoanalytic Theory	Psychoanalytic theory, particularly Freudian, can be applied to explore the unconscious fears and anxieties reflected in the poem. Humpty Dumpty’s fall may symbolize underlying anxieties about failure, loss, or fear of damage that cannot be repaired.	Humpty Dumpty’s fall represents a psychological crisis or breakdown, possibly symbolizing the fear of failure or loss of control, while the inability to put him back together highlights unresolved trauma or the permanent consequences of certain actions.
Marxist Criticism	Marxist criticism examines the power dynamics and social structures at play in literature. In this nursery rhyme, the reference to “all the king’s horses and all the king’s men” can be interpreted as a reflection on the futility of institutional power in solving certain problems.	Despite the presence of the king’s forces, the poem suggests that no amount of hierarchical power or wealth can fix Humpty Dumpty after his fall. This could symbolize the limitations of social institutions and class structures in addressing fundamental human or social issues.

Critical Questions about “Humpty Dumpty Sat on a Wall” by Mother Goose

• What does Humpty Dumpty symbolize, and why is his fall so significant?
• Humpty Dumpty is often depicted as an egg, and this fragile form plays a significant role in interpreting the poem. His fall from the wall may symbolize the fragility of certain individuals, systems, or states of being. The fact that “all the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t put Humpty together again” suggests that once something fragile is broken, it cannot be restored. This raises the question of what Humpty Dumpty represents—whether it’s the human condition, the fragility of power, or the irreversibility of certain actions. The symbolic importance of his fall lies in its finality, emphasizing themes of vulnerability and loss.
• How does the poem reflect the limits of authority and power?
• The mention of “all the king’s horses and all the king’s men” attempting to fix Humpty Dumpty but failing raises critical questions about the effectiveness of authority. In the poem, the king’s forces, despite their apparent power, are ultimately powerless to reverse the damage done by Humpty’s fall. This failure might be seen as a critique of institutional power, suggesting that there are some problems beyond the reach of even the most powerful forces. The poem reflects the idea that no matter how much effort or power is applied, certain losses cannot be undone.
• What does the poem suggest about the irreversibility of certain events or actions?
• The poem centers on Humpty Dumpty’s irreversible fall, which symbolizes the idea that some events or actions, once taken, cannot be undone. The phrase “couldn’t put Humpty together again” emphasizes the finality of the fall and reflects the harsh reality that some mistakes or accidents are permanent. This raises the question of how society deals with such irreparable losses, and what the consequences are when attempts to fix what is broken fail. The poem suggests that not all damage can be healed, and this might apply to both personal and societal contexts.
• Why is Humpty Dumpty’s identity left ambiguous in the poem?
• Interestingly, the poem never explicitly states that Humpty Dumpty is an egg—this is a detail that has been added through later cultural interpretations. This ambiguity raises the question of why Mother Goose chose to leave his identity vague. By doing so, the poem invites broader interpretations, allowing readers to project various meanings onto the character. Is Humpty Dumpty a symbol of human frailty, societal collapse, or something else entirely? The ambiguity of his form allows the poem to remain relevant across various interpretations, depending on the reader’s perspective. This open-ended identity encourages readers to explore multiple layers of meaning within the simple narrative.

Literary Works Similar to “Humpty Dumpty Sat on a Wall” by Mother Goose

• “Jack and Jill” (Traditional Nursery Rhyme)
  Similar in its simple narrative and rhythmic structure, “Jack and Jill” also tells the story of a fall and the resulting consequences, much like Humpty Dumpty’s great fall.
• “The Grand Old Duke of York” (Traditional Nursery Rhyme)
  This poem, like “Humpty Dumpty,” features a character of high status and reflects on the futility of certain actions, with the Duke’s troops marching up and down to no meaningful end.
• “Little Miss Muffet” (Traditional Nursery Rhyme)
  Both poems feature a brief, simple story with a character who encounters an unexpected and unsettling event, with Little Miss Muffet being frightened away, similar to Humpty Dumpty’s fall.
• “Baa Baa Black Sheep” (Traditional Nursery Rhyme)
  Like “Humpty Dumpty,” this poem is structured with a repetitive and rhythmic verse, and it also involves a societal relationship—between the sheep and the master—much like the king’s men in Humpty Dumpty’s story.
• “Ring a Ring o’ Roses” (Traditional Nursery Rhyme)
  This poem, like “Humpty Dumpty,” is deceptively simple yet has deeper interpretations related to disaster and consequence, making it similar in tone and underlying meaning.

Representative Quotations of “Humpty Dumpty Sat on a Wall” by Mother Goose

Quotation	Context	Theoretical Perspective
“Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall”	This line sets the scene by placing the character in a precarious position, introducing the central figure.	Structuralism: The repetition of simple phrases creates a predictable pattern, reflecting the structuralist idea that meaning comes from underlying structures and forms in the text.
“Humpty Dumpty had a great fall”	This line describes the central event of the poem: Humpty Dumpty’s fall, signaling an irreversible change.	Psychoanalytic Theory: The fall represents a psychological breakdown or loss of control, symbolizing unconscious fears about vulnerability and failure.
“All the king’s horses and all the king’s men”	This line introduces the king’s forces, who attempt to repair the damage but fail, highlighting the limits of power.	Marxist Criticism: This line can be interpreted as a critique of institutional power, suggesting that even societal authority cannot fix certain kinds of collapse or failure.
“Couldn’t put Humpty together again”	The closing line emphasizes the finality of the situation, underscoring that some things are beyond repair.	Postmodernism: This reflects the postmodern idea of irreversibility and the breakdown of grand narratives, showing that certain events cannot be reconciled or restored.

Suggested Readings: “Humpty Dumpty Sat on a Wall” by Mother Goose

1. McDonald, Mary Palmer. “Rhyme or Reason?– A Microscopic View of Nursery Rhymes.” The Journal of Negro Education, vol. 43, no. 3, 1974, pp. 275–83. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/2966519. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024.
2. Almansi, Renato J. “Humpty Dumpty: A Screen Memory and Some Speculations on the Nursery Rhyme.” American Imago, vol. 43, no. 1, 1986, pp. 35–49. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/26303865. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024.
3. Hickerson, Joseph C., and Alan Dundes. “Mother Goose Vice Verse.” The Journal of American Folklore, vol. 75, no. 297, 1962, pp. 249–59. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/537726. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024.
4. Chisholm, Margaret. “Mother Goose—Elucidated.” Elementary English, vol. 49, no. 8, 1972, pp. 1141–44. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/41387886. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024.
5. Roush, Betty E. “Drama Rhymes: An Instructional Strategy.” The Reading Teacher, vol. 58, no. 6, 2005, pp. 584–87. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/20205523. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024.