Humpty Dumpty - Does he actually need to be fixed?
- Heidi M Simone
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Humpty Dumpty - Does he actually need to be fixed?
Humpty Dumpty is just a silly nursery rhyme, right? It might tell children don’t make careless mistakes or don’t push your luck!
However, what if it wasn’t just a silly nursery rhyme? What if Humpty Dumpty could be a symbol of something more?
When I read this section of this seemingly simple nursery rhyme so many thoughts came to my mind.
For example:
- How often do we say or think that someone needs to be “fixed” whether we’re reading a story or interacting with a person in our daily lives?
- What kind of mindset does one need to have to think the opposite of the above question?
- Is there ever a case where one does need to be “fixed”?
- Sarah Nichols 7
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- Heidi M Simone
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It’s interesting because I completely agree with Humpty’s physical form needs to be fixed, but thinking about it metaphorically, are any of us broken? Or do we experience hardships and even trauma that prevents us to be our true selves? Instead saying someone is broken, I wonder if there’s a way to say that we need help in working through those hardships and trauma to feel like ourselves again?Sarah Nichols 7 wrote: ↑13 Oct 2022, 15:24 While it is a sweet idea that Humpty doesn't need to be "fixed" it's also not practical. If Humpty wasn't put back together, he'd still be scattered in pieces unable to move or do anything. I think we often find ourselves when we are broken. Putting ourselves back together is part of that discovery process.
When I was teaching, I would never say a child was broken though they clearly have come from an unstable and sometimes frightening home life. I wouldn’t see him/her as not whole, but would do what I could (along with a team of people) to assist that child in any way that we could. So, if that child isn’t broken, then can adults be broken or do they need outside (and sometimes inside) assistance to help find peace again (assuming it was possible to find peace again for them)?
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Humpty signifies that yes, while we may fall, we can always get back up again. It is necessary to break in order to be put back together again. I wouldn't see it as being fixed, rather being recreated into something stronger.
Much like a broken plate being repaired , you may see where the cracks were, but it is now a different object entirely. Beautiful and strong in its own unique way.
We are not broken, but rather imperfect, and that imperfection makes us unique. That is what makes us resilient, truly appreciate our inner light.
That is my take on it.
- Heidi M Simone
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Ooo…I like the “recreated into something stronger” thought and I agree! I agree, we aren’t broken, but imperfect and it makes us resilient. Thank you for taking the time to read and share your thoughts!jessle wrote: ↑14 Oct 2022, 11:56 A day before reading this book, I used the Humpty Dumpty story to describe something to a friend. When I came across this chapter, I therefore found myself pausing to reflect for a while.
Humpty signifies that yes, while we may fall, we can always get back up again. It is necessary to break in order to be put back together again. I wouldn't see it as being fixed, rather being recreated into something stronger.
Much like a broken plate being repaired , you may see where the cracks were, but it is now a different object entirely. Beautiful and strong in its own unique way.
We are not broken, but rather imperfect, and that imperfection makes us unique. That is what makes us resilient, truly appreciate our inner light.
That is my take on it.
- Julia DeLaney
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"All the king's horses and all the king's men.
Couldn't put Humpty together again."
We can look at those lines and discover that if a person doesn't want to fix themselves, the people around them will not be able to fix them, no matter how strong and influential they are.
- Heidi M Simone
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It’s so funny. I never thought much about this silly nursery rhyme, but now that I’m thinking about it more, I absolutely agree with what you’re saying. He may have cracks, but he learned to put the pieces of himself together and that makes him who he is.Julia DeLaney wrote: ↑17 Oct 2022, 15:32 I always looked at the nursery rhyme as though he fell apart it wasn't over, and he can be put back together again. There still may be cracks that need healing but in the end, he learned how the pieces of himself fit together making him who he is.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

- Heidi M Simone
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Oh wow! I absolutely love this and it makes perfect sense! We need to want to help ourselves and not rely on others.Iselma Kruger wrote: ↑23 Oct 2022, 04:58 I think that you can also look at the last part of the nursery rhyme and find some wisdom there:
"All the king's horses and all the king's men.
Couldn't put Humpty together again."
We can look at those lines and discover that if a person doesn't want to fix themselves, the people around them will not be able to fix them, no matter how strong and influential they are.
Thank you for sharing!

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