Hush-A-Bye-Baby

The Gentle Touch - Can They Save the Baby?

A bit more pleasant in its initial appearance, this 1947 illustration has more color?greens, browns, reds, blues, and whites?which set a smooth, soft tone.In the top portion, the cradle seems fairly secure, and the child appears at ease, even playful, as she reaches out for a visiting bird or two. The ominous portions of the illustration again focus on the two previously mentioned intents of the rhyme: historical reference to James Stuart and the outlet for nurses and parents as well as warning for the child. Both the sky and tree have these ominous indications as the former is somewhat overcast and blustery in appearance. The later is cold and bare. A third indication of bad things to come is seen in the black bird, the crow or raven, sometimes associated with evil or death. Having landed upon a branch that is supporting the cradle, the bird could be encouraging the child to move, increasing the possibliity that the cradle will fall. This, historically, could represent the people of England . Ironically, this is the bird the baby is reaching towards. In the lower portion of the illusration, the cradle falls; and the crow is seen flying alongside the cradle as smaller birds attempt to rescue the child by grabbing onto the blanket which envelopes her. What appears to be a friendly gathering of birds is actually the harmful intentions of the crow and the frantic attempts at rescue of the robin and jay-like birds. And, as with the 1833 illustration discussed, the outcome is unknown as the baby is shown in action in the air. At first glance, there are indications of a safe landing with the two smaller birds grabbing the blanket in mid-air. Look closely, however, and you will see that the birds may save the blanket but not the baby.