Jack and Jill Went Up A Hill

Pastoral Scene - Idealized Setting, Crying Children

This illustration of the Jack and Jill rhyme depicts a very pastoral scene, with a lush and rolling hillside dotted with a cozy, white, thatched cottage and grazing sheep in the distance. Also in the background is a view of the sea through the valley. It seems a very idyllic setting, with lovely trees, green grass, and puffy white clouds. While the illustration isn't dated, the style of clothing of the figures seems to be late nineteenth or early twentieth century country attire. Jack and Jill are depicted after their fall, as they lie on the hill. What distinguishes this illustration from other pastoral ones is a small, rectangular inset illustration at the bottom. In the inset illustration, Jack and Jill sit on either side of the empty bucket, obviously in distress. They do not appear to be hurt, but to be crying or upset about the spilt water. They seem to be chastising themselves for not having successfully accomplished their task.