Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Muriel Rukeyser's poem "M-Day's Child Is Fair of Face" is a poignant and satirical reimagining of the traditional nursery rhyme "Monday's Child," transformed into a scathing critique of war and its devastating effects on humanity. Through a deceptively simple structure, Rukeyser explores the physical and psychological destruction wrought by warfare, each line contributing to a powerful condemnation of violence and conflict.

The poem begins with the line "M-Day’s child is fair of face," invoking a sense of innocence and purity often associated with the start of a traditional week. However, this initial semblance of normalcy is quickly subverted as the poem progresses through the days, each associated with a different aspect of military life and warfare.

"Drill-day’s child is full of grace" continues the rhyme's familiar cadence, but already there's an undercurrent of irony. The word "drill" connotes military training, discipline, and preparation for combat. The "grace" attributed to this child could be seen as a forced or superficial grace, born of rigid training rather than natural ease.

The poem then takes a darker turn with "Gun-day’s child is breastless and blind," depicting the dehumanizing and mutilating effects of war. The imagery here is stark and brutal; a child without breasts and blind suggests severe physical injury and a loss of fundamental human attributes and senses, highlighting the grotesque outcomes of armed conflict.

As the week progresses, the horrors intensify: "Shell-day’s child is out of its mind" addresses the psychological trauma inflicted by war, echoing the shell-shocked soldiers of World War I. This line speaks to the mental breakdowns and enduring psychological scars that combat leaves on its victims, rendering them "out of [their] mind."

"Bomb-day’s child will always be dumb" evokes the idea of silence and helplessness. Whether interpreted as a loss of speech or as intellectual impairment, this line underscores the devastating impact of bombings, which not only destroy physical landscapes but also obliterate the potential and future of the children affected by them.

"Cannon-day’s child can never quite come" suggests a sense of incompletion or dysfunction. This line could be read as a metaphor for the inability to achieve normalcy or fulfillment due to the constant presence of war and its aftermath. It might also imply sexual dysfunction or reproductive challenges, further emphasizing the far-reaching consequences of warfare.

The poem culminates with the final couplet: "but the child that’s born on the Battle-day / is blithe and bonny and rotted away." The juxtaposition of "blithe and bonny" with "rotted away" is strikingly jarring, highlighting the ultimate futility and tragic waste of life caused by war. A child born on Battle-day, initially described with the positive attributes of happiness and beauty, is ultimately doomed to decay, encapsulating the poem's bitter irony and the senseless destruction of war.

Rukeyser's use of the nursery rhyme structure serves to amplify the horror of the content. By contrasting the familiar, comforting rhythm of a children's rhyme with the grim realities of warfare, she creates a powerful dissonance that forces the reader to confront the true cost of conflict. The poem's brevity and simplicity only enhance its impact, distilling complex and harrowing themes into a few haunting lines.

"M-Day's Child Is Fair of Face" is a masterful critique of war, using the innocence of a nursery rhyme to underscore the brutality and senselessness of violence. Rukeyser's poem challenges the reader to reflect on the generational impact of warfare, the loss of innocence, and the irrevocable damage inflicted on humanity. Through its stark imagery and ironic tone, the poem leaves a lasting impression, urging a reconsideration of the true price of conflict.

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