“Solomon Grundy”: A Nursery Rhyme

Introduction: “Solomon Grundy”

“Solomon Grundy” is a traditional nursery rhyme character in American folklore, originating from a 19th-century poem. He is depicted as an undead creature, born on a Monday, living for a short time, and dying on a Saturday. This enigmatic figure has become a cultural icon, symbolizing the cycle of life and death, and the power of oral tradition in folklore.

Text: “Solomon Grundy”

Solomon Grundy,
Born on a Monday,
Christened on Tuesday,
Married on Wednesday,
Took ill on Thursday,
Grew worse on Friday,
Died on Saturday,
Buried on Sunday.
That was the end,
Of Solomon Grundy

Annotations: “Solomon Grundy” by Anonymous

Line	Annotations
Solomon Grundy,	The introduction of the titular character, Solomon Grundy, sets the stage for the poem’s narrative.
Born on a Monday,	Provides the birth day of Solomon Grundy, establishing a chronological sequence for his life events.
Christened on Tuesday,	Indicates the day Solomon Grundy was baptized, following his birth.
Married on Wednesday,	Describes Solomon Grundy’s wedding day, continuing the progression of his life.
Took ill on Thursday,	Marks the beginning of Solomon Grundy’s decline in health, introducing a turning point in the narrative.
Grew worse on Friday,	Highlights the worsening condition of Solomon Grundy’s illness, leading towards an inevitable conclusion.
Died on Saturday,	Specifies the day of Solomon Grundy’s death, bringing his life to its conclusion.
Buried on Sunday.	Concludes Solomon Grundy’s life cycle with his burial, completing the narrative arc.
That was the end,	Reflects on the finality of Solomon Grundy’s life, indicating the closure of his story.
Of Solomon Grundy	Reiterates the name of the character and signals the conclusion of the poem.

Literary And Poetic Devices: “Solomon Grundy”

Device	Example	Explanation
Assonance	“Took ill on Thursday”	The repetition of the vowel sound in “Took” and “Thursday” creates a musical quality and enhances the poem’s rhythm.
Caesura	“Solomon Grundy,”	The comma after “Solomon Grundy” creates a pause, adding emphasis to the introduction of the character and setting the tone.
Consonance	“Born on a Monday”	The repetition of the consonant sound “n” in “born” and “Monday” creates a harmonious effect and reinforces the day of the week.
Enjambment	“Died on Saturday, Buried on Sunday”	The continuation of the sentence from one line to the next (“Saturday, Buried on Sunday”) without a pause enhances the flow of the poem.
Hyperbole	“That was the end”	The statement exaggerates the finality of Solomon Grundy’s life, emphasizing the irreversibility of death.
Imagery	“Grew worse on Friday”	The phrase evokes a vivid image of Solomon Grundy’s deteriorating health, allowing readers to visualize his decline.
Irony	“Born on a Monday”	It’s ironic that Solomon Grundy’s life begins on a Monday, a day associated with new beginnings, yet his life ends tragically.
Metaphor	“Married on Wednesday”	The metaphor compares Solomon Grundy’s marriage to the day Wednesday, suggesting that his union occurred swiftly or abruptly.
Onomatopoeia	“Took ill on Thursday”	The word “ill” imitates the sound of discomfort or sickness, enhancing the reader’s understanding of Solomon Grundy’s condition.
Oxymoron	“That was the end”	The phrase combines contradictory terms (“end” and “was”), highlighting the finality of Solomon Grundy’s life.
Paradox	“That was the end”	The statement appears contradictory because an “end” typically implies finality, yet it also suggests the beginning of something new.
Personification	“Grew worse on Friday”	Assigning human characteristics (growth) to Solomon Grundy’s illness (Friday) enhances the poem’s imagery and emotional impact.
Repetition	“Solomon Grundy”	The repeated use of the character’s name throughout the poem reinforces his identity and serves as a structural device.
Rhyme	“Married on Wednesday”	The words “Wednesday” and “wed” rhyme, creating a musical quality and enhancing the poem’s rhythm.
Simile	“Christened on Tuesday”	The simile compares Solomon Grundy’s baptism to the day Tuesday, suggesting a connection between the two events.
Symbolism	“Buried on Sunday”	Sunday traditionally represents the end of the week and is associated with rest or religious observance, symbolizing the conclusion of life.
Synecdoche	“That was the end”	The word “end” represents the entirety of Solomon Grundy’s life, emphasizing the finality of his existence.
Tone	“That was the end”	The statement carries a somber and conclusive tone, reflecting the inevitability of death and the poem’s overarching theme.
Verbal Irony	“Married on Wednesday”	While weddings are typically joyous occasions, the fact that Solomon Grundy’s marriage occurred swiftly on a weekday adds a sense of irony.

Themes: “Solomon Grundy”

• Theme 1: The Cycle of Life: The poem “Solomon Grundy” explores the theme of the cycle of life, tracing the protagonist’s journey from birth to death. The rhyme succinctly covers the significant events of Solomon Grundy’s life, from being “Born on a Monday” to being “Buried on Sunday” (lines 1 and 8). This cycle is a universal human experience, and the poem’s use of a week’s duration highlights the brevity and fragility of life.
• Theme 2: Fate and Inevitability: The poem also explores the theme of fate and inevitability, suggesting that Solomon Grundy’s life was predetermined. The use of specific days of the week for each event creates a sense of inexorable progression, implying that his life was always headed towards its tragic conclusion. The line “That was the end, / Of Solomon Grundy” (lines 9-10) drives home the sense of finality and the impossibility of escape.
• Theme 3: The Passage of Time: The poem examines the theme of the passage of time, using the days of the week to mark the swift progression of Solomon Grundy’s life. The rhyme moves rapidly from birth to death, emphasizing the fleeting nature of human existence. The line “Grew worse on Friday, / Died on Saturday” (lines 6-7) highlights the speed at which life can deteriorate and come to an end.
• Theme 4: Mortality and the Human Condition: Finally, the poem confronts the theme of mortality and the human condition, presenting a stark and unvarnished portrayal of life’s fragility. Solomon Grundy’s story serves as a reminder that death is an inevitable part of human experience, and that life can change irreparably in a short span. The poem’s simplicity and directness drive home this message, leaving the reader to ponder the transience of human existence.

Literary Theories and Interpretations of “Solomon Grundy”

Literary Theory	Interpretation	Reference from the Poem
Structuralism	The poem’s use of a repetitive structure (each line starting with a day of the week) creates a sense of inevitability and fate, emphasizing the idea that Solomon Grundy’s life was predetermined.	“Born on a Monday, / Christened on Tuesday, / Married on Wednesday, / …” (lines 1-3)
Symbolism	The days of the week can be seen as symbols for the stages of life, with Monday representing birth, Wednesday representing maturity, and Saturday representing death.	“Took ill on Thursday, / Grew worse on Friday, / Died on Saturday” (lines 5-7)
Existentialism	The poem’s portrayal of Solomon Grundy’s brief and unfulfilling life can be seen as a commentary on the absurdity and meaninglessness of human existence.	“That was the end, / Of Solomon Grundy” (lines 9-10)

Critical Questions about “Solomon Grundy”

• How does the structured repetition of days of the week contribute to the thematic development of the poem?
• The poem follows the pattern of Solomon Grundy’s life events occurring on each day of the week, from his birth on Monday to his burial on Sunday. This structured repetition creates a sense of inevitability and cyclical nature, highlighting the passage of time and the universal experience of life’s milestones. It also emphasizes the fleeting nature of existence and the inevitability of mortality, as each day brings Solomon Grundy closer to his ultimate fate.
• What significance do the life events of Solomon Grundy hold within the context of the poem’s themes?
• Each life event depicted in the poem, such as Solomon Grundy’s birth, baptism, marriage, illness, and death, symbolizes a stage in the journey of life. These events serve as metaphors for the human experience, reflecting themes of birth, growth, love, suffering, and mortality. For example, Solomon Grundy’s rapid progression from birth to death in the span of a week underscores the brevity and unpredictability of life, prompting readers to contemplate the nature of existence and the passage of time.
• How does the poem’s conclusion contribute to its overall impact and interpretation?
• The concluding lines “That was the end, Of Solomon Grundy” mark the finality of Solomon Grundy’s life and the closure of the poem. This conclusion leaves readers with a sense of contemplation and reflection on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. It underscores the poem’s thematic exploration of mortality and the human condition, inviting readers to consider the legacy and significance of one’s life in the face of mortality.

Literary Works Similar to “Solomon Grundy”

1. “Richard Cory” by Edwin Arlington Robinson: This poem tells the story of a wealthy and respected man named Richard Cory who, despite his apparent success, takes his own life. Similar to “Solomon Grundy,” it explores the theme of the unpredictability of life and the contrast between outward appearances and inner turmoil.
2. “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot: “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” is a modernist poem that follows the internal monologue of the protagonist, Prufrock, as he reflects on his life and experiences. Like “Solomon Grundy,” it delves into themes of mortality, existential angst, and the passage of time.
3. “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas: This villanelle by Dylan Thomas passionately urges the reader to resist death and fight against the dying of the light. While tonally different from “Solomon Grundy,” it shares a thematic exploration of mortality and the inevitability of death.
4. “Ozymandias” by Percy Bysshe Shelley: “Ozymandias” is a sonnet that explores the fleeting nature of power and legacy. Like “Solomon Grundy,” it reflects on the passage of time and the eventual demise of even the most powerful figures, emphasizing the transience of human achievement.
5. “Because I could not stop for Death” by Emily Dickinson: In this poem, Death is personified as a gentleman who takes the speaker on a carriage ride through various stages of life and eventually to eternity. Similar to “Solomon Grundy,” it contemplates the inevitability of death and the journey towards the afterlife.

Suggested Readings: “Solomon Grundy”

• Symons, Julian. The End of Solomon Grundy. House of Stratus, 2011.
• Jorgensen, Brian. “Solomon Rex and Solomon Grundy.” Journal of Education 175.3 (1993): 65-84.
• Tierney, Stephen. “Solomon Grundy Does Constitutional Change: The Smith Commission Timetable to Transform the Scottish Parliament.” (2014).
• Taylor, Archer. “The Nursery Rhyme of Solomon Grundy.” Journal of American Folklore (1956): 356-356.

Representative Quotations “Solomon Grundy”

Quotation	Context	Theoretical Perspective
“Born on a Monday”	Opening line, introducing Solomon Grundy’s birth	Structuralism: Highlights the repetitive structure of the poem, emphasizing the inevitability of Solomon Grundy’s life events.
“Took ill on Thursday, / Grew worse on Friday”	Describing Solomon Grundy’s decline	Symbolism: Thursday and Friday can be seen as symbols for the decline and deterioration of life, highlighting the poem’s exploration of mortality.
“Died on Saturday”	Announcing Solomon Grundy’s death	Existentialism: Emphasizes the finality and absurdity of death, underscoring the poem’s existential themes.
“Buried on Sunday”	Concluding Solomon Grundy’s life cycle	Cyclical Nature of Life: Sunday, the day of rest, marks the end of Solomon Grundy’s life, suggesting a cyclical nature to human existence.
“That was the end, / Of Solomon Grundy”	Final lines, summarizing Solomon Grundy’s life	Absurdism: Highlights the brevity and meaninglessness of Solomon Grundy’s life, underscoring the poem’s absurdist themes.