I’ve posted sporadically on this website lately because I have been really focused on my current work in progress, You’re the One: the True Story of Jack and Jill.
For this post, I want to share the complete poem of Jack and Jill that is too often quoted partially. I share this because it is a kind of outline for the fiction novel that is my WIP (work in progress).
Jack and Jill
Went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water
Jack fell down and broke his crown
And Jill came tumbling after.
Up Jack got
And home did trot,
As fast as he could caper;
Went to bed
To mend his head
With vinegar and brown paper.
I’ve shared in four previous posts rough drafts of portions of this WIP. If you’re familiar with them, you know the novel is not about a boy and girl journeying up a hill. It is both Jack and Jill sharing memories of their life together.
Most of their memories reveal their pursuit of success in their individual careers. Jack finds his success as a musician. Jill becomes an actress. In other words, Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water.
Using Google mostly, I researched the poem’s objects symbolic meanings and drew on the findings to create the structure of the story of Jack and Jill.
Jack and Jill
For instance, the names Jack and Jill often represent the idea of any man or woman. “Jack of all trades” is an example. We generally visualize with the name Jill, a person who is a bit naïve.
For many of the symbolic meanings I referred to their meaning if they occur in a dream since some of my stories’ incidents and ideas come to me in the middle of the night.
Went UP the HILL
To dream of climbing a hill according to several sources on Google, signifies a desire for higher achievement or a broader perspective of opportunities. Both Jack and Jill desire success in their individual crafts which does open up to many opportunities as well as obstacles which they share with the reader.
To fetch a PAIL
A pail or a bucket in a dream could indicate that your about to improve your worthiness. If the pail is empty as in Jack’s and Jill’s case, you will be challenged or possibly experience a setback that you will overcome.
Of WATER
Yes, like a certified nerd, I even checked out symbolism of water. Of course, we already think of water as an object of comfort. It is also a necessity. All kinds of art forms use water to symbolize renewal, refreshment and restoration.
Dreaming of water can have multiple meanings. Some are similar to literary connotations. Jack’s and Jill’s journey is motivated by pursuing their individual passions. That is one of dream’s symbols for water.
Like all who pursue their passion, along the way you learn more about yourself emotionally and spiritually. You also gain knowledge about your craft.
Any art that I see about Jack and Jill as it relates to this poem shows Jack and Jill together with one pail. You’re the One does not, at least not exactly. They remain close. The relationship ebbs and flows from being a couple to being best friends. What they are to each other is ambiguous even to them. Part of the fun of creating the story is the emotional mystery of where or when or if Jack and Jill will ever climb the hill together.
Jack FELL down… Jill came TUMBLING
The subtitle, The True Story of Jack and Jill wouldn’t be true to life if it didn’t include failures, disappointments and/or struggles. Both Jack and Jill experience and share some.
I have already alluded to the romantic tension. At times, they both struggle with and are hurt by relational expectations unmet, sometimes between each other and sometimes with others.
And BROKE his CROWN
The word “crown” here can mean two different things or it can have a dual meaning. The less familiar part of this “nursery rhyme” indicates Jack “mends his head,” so it definitely includes head as a meaning. Yet, that doesn’t eliminate the possibility for a dual meaning. I will discuss “head wound” symbolism when I discuss that part of the poem.
For now, let’s think about other literary images for “crown.” In the dream world, crown signifies success or accomplishments. In the poem, Jack broke his crown which indicates failure.
In which of his passionate pursuits did he fail? Was it a career or a relationship failure or something else? You’ll have to read the book to know. But before you read it, I have to write it. So, I must get back to my WIP soon.
More to come
Maybe that’s enough for today. So, I will have to change the title of this post to include “Part 1.” Part 2, will cover the symbolic significance of things like getting up, trotting home and head wounds. It will hopefully cover symbols for “brown,” “brown paper,” “vinegar” and “bed.” Who knows, we may be talking about Part 3.
Categories: Sample writing
Douglas Knight
I have the rich life full of a sinner wounded by misunderstanding and punishment but blessed by mercy and forgiveness.
Knight Writer 