One of Garfield‘s most defining traits is his hatred of Mondays, which naturally started out as a recurring joke in the comics, where the start of the weekday always means bad luck for the famous feline. Many early strips would have something terrible happen to Garfield, with the day of the week serving as the punchline. Other times, the very concept of Monday seems to have dark, otherworldly powers.
The Garfield Movie
3/5
Based on Jim Davis’s comic series, Garfield is a new imagining of the lasagna-loving cat and his friends, opting for a fully computer-animated approach. Chris Pratt voices the titular cat, with the film aiming to explore his early days and new misadventures for him, his friends, and his family.
This is all the more surprising since, as a house cat, Garfield doesn’t have to endure the usual hang-ups that most people have with Mondays. This is actually something that has been brought up in the comics, although Garfield usually assures us he has his reasons.
Of course, people in the real world don’t necessarily like Monday, either, and find Garfield’s frustrations to be perfectly relatable, anyway. After all, there’s nothing like a charming cat straight out of the funny pages to beat the Monday blues.
20 The Time Pooky Had Garfield’s Back
July 12, 1982
Garfield has occasionally acknowledged that his outlook on Mondays isn’t always healthy. At the very least, it can come off as somewhat immature. There’s been at least one time in the funny pages when he’s decided to change his attitude, or at least try to.
While still in bed, hiding under the covers, Garfield admits his hatred of the first weekday is rather “childish.” He decides to man up and face his problem, but not necessarily head on. He throws his beloved teddy bear, Pooky, out from under the covers to face the day for him. Monday might not be easy for Garfield, but his stuffed buddy has got his back.
19 The Time Even Tuesday Was Monday
July 22, 1986
Monday might not be the easiest day of the week, even for a cat, but at least it ends. Soon, the weekdays are finished and the weekend can begin. Of course, it still ends up being Monday all over again in a never-ending cycle. Of course, in a comic strip where anything could happen, even the passage of time is not assured.
In this strip, Garfield is happy and willing to greet the new day, realizing that Monday is over. As he rips off a page, the number has changed but not the day of the week, with the calendar claiming it’s still somehow Monday. Whether it’s a cosmic event of supernatural implications or a simple printing error, Garfield is left with no choice but to scream to the heavens that this is the Monday that will never end.
18 The Time Monday Wasn’t Kind to Jon, Either
July 3, 2017
In Garfield’s mind’s eye, Monday isn’t just ominous, it has a corruptive influence on people having to endure the hated day of days. Of course, Garfield probably wouldn’t have nice things to say about anyone when Monday comes around the corner, as it is.
This strip has Garfield start out by talking about how there’s ugliness in the world. Upon seeing Jon early in the morning, with a face full of unshaven stubble and a mug of coffee in his hands, he notes his owner is not a morning person. To sum it up, the cat describes him as “Monday-morning ugly.”
17 Garfield’s Failing Positive Thinking
September 6, 1982
Many people believe that there is some power in positivity. Putting some belief into an idea can sometimes help make it real. Pets might agree with the train of thought, as Garfield puts it to the test in one strip, even when it comes to something he’s famous for hating.
While still in bed, Garfield decides he’ll have a more positive outlook, starting with giving Mondays a try. While going on a stroll, he tells himself that he loves and is just crazy about Mondays. However, when he gets outside, getting caught in the rain gets him to rethink his attitude.
Not wanting to give up his new mantra, however, he decides to just tone things down to merely being “fond” of Mondays. Given how fond cats are known to be of water, one could argue Garfield was being gracious.
16 Hang in There, Garfield
September 18, 1978
Sometimes, something simple is all that is needed to illustrate someone’s feelings. The smallest misfortune, not an elaborate story, can be more than enough to get someone’s point across. This is seen in one of the first strips to highlight Garfield’s hatred of Mondays. After all, this was before this loathing had become part of Garfield’s defining characteristics.
In one simple strip, Garfield is playing with a pulldown shade. He then gets pulled up with the shade and trapped inside, almost bringing to mind the cat in the “Hang in there, Baby” poster. Noting the day of the week, Garfield laments that he hates Mondays. Notably, this joke would be repeated in later strips.
15 Garfield’s Fun With Wordplay
February 27, 2017
It’s always important to take pride in what you do, even if it’s simply having a negative opinion on a day of the week. Naturally, Garfield has taken his hatred of Mondays into an art form.
While looking out the window, Garfield starts the strip lamenting that it’s another Monday. He keeps going, adding a few insulting terms, like “mind-numbing” and “run-of-the-mill.” Jon tries to greet his cat, but Garfield feels like he’s on a roll, adding more alliterative words like “mundane” and “moribund.” In the end, Garfield might hate the day, but he at least takes time to take pleasure in his hatred.
14 Monday the 13th
September 13, 1982
Around the world, people have a variety of superstitions. Even a simple number can evoke bad luck and warnings of doom depending on who you ask. In the West, the number 13 is traditionally considered bad luck. In particular, Friday the 13th is considered a day when bad luck is especially on people’s minds. However, Garfield believes that there is a day that is even less lucky.
While peeking out from his bed, Garfield spies a nearby calendar. Hiding under the covers, something he sees convinces Garfield that he isn’t getting out of bed today. Garfield reveals that, not only is it the start of the week, it is none other than Monday the 13th.
13 Garfield Vs. the Lawn Mover
October 2, 1978
Garfield’s hatred of Mondays doesn’t necessarily come from nowhere, but from having the worst of luck on that day of days. This is especially prevalent in the earliest days of the strip, which would see something bad randomly happening to Garfield, only for him to blame it on Monday.
In one such early story, Garfield jumps out the window, while bouncing off of a footrest. While people say that cats always land on their feet, Garfield’s poor luck gets the best of his before he sticks the landing. Jon passes by and runs his cat, presumably unaware, over with a lawnmower.
While Garfield survives the incident, he still isn’t baby about the quick shave, commenting that he hates Mondays. Of course, Garfield should expect the unexpected when playing daredevil.
12 Jon’s Pep Talk
November 17, 1986
On Monday, even the simplest of things can become burdensome to Garfield. When Jon wishes Garfield a “Good Morning” in one comic, Garfield doesn’t even bother to peek out from out of the covers. Even Jon realizes he’s just kidding himself by trying to have a positive outlook. Soon, he falls asleep while holding a cup of coffee.
Garfield, while still hiding under his blanket, labels the simple greeting as a “Monday morning pep talk,” when commenting how much he hates them. Of course, when Jon seems to agree with the sentiment, it’s hard not to think Garfield has a point.
11 Garfield’s Monday Countdown
April 9, 1984
Sometimes, when things look like they’re going your way, it might just be the fates’ way of luring you into a false sense of security. With Garfield’s hatred of Mondays, it makes sense that he would have a weekly countdown to the stroke of midnight, with his hated day turning into Tuesday.
In one such story, Garfield is having such a countdown near a clock, almost like it was a holiday. Garfield even notes that nothing bad has happened to him all day, suggesting he’s finally broken his Monday record.
However, Monday still rears its ugly head at the literal last moment, with a cuckoo emerging from the clock, scaring Garfield. The cat then falls to the ground with an annoyed look on his face.
10 The Monday to End All Mondays
February 28, 1983
in Garfield’s world, Monday’s sinister nature can be downright supernatural, if not outright apocalyptic. This becomes apparent in one story in which Garfield really puts his hatred of the day to the test.
Garfield wonders if ripping the Monday out of the calendar before the day actually finishes, suspecting it might destroy its eldritch power. Deciding to put this theory to the test, Garfield rips Monday out in a row. The final scene turns black, representing nothingness.
The joke could be taken two ways. Either removing Monday has made the current time oblivion until Tuesday comes long or Monday has somehow erased existence itself as punishment for Garfield’s action.
9 Garfield Vs. Gravity
November 15, 1982
There are times when Garfield realizes his hatred on Mondays has become memetic, causing people to think he hates Monday just for the sake of it. After all, being a cat without responsibilities, he doesn’t have the traditional reasons to dislike Mondays, like starting the workweek. A casual fan could be forgiven for thinking it’s supposed to be ironic.
One story has Garfield seemingly breaking the fourth wall to explain his feelings to the audience. While standing next to a large table leg, Garfield explains just why he hates Mondays. After the table has collapsed on top of him, Garfield explains from the rubble that Mondays already hate him.
8 The Time Jon Went to Get the Mail
April 16, 1979
Garfield and his owner, Jon, are often a study in contrasts. While Garfield can be cynical about the world around him, despite being a house cat, Jon can often be naive despite all the things life has thrown at him.
This is particularly illustrated in one strip, in which Jon briefly goes out to check the mailbox. Making an event out of the simple chore, Jon even carries Garfield outside under his arm. Jon gleefully comments on how he loves getting mail, adding he thinks of mail as a reminder that he’s alive. For his part, Garfield thinks that way of thinking is too “heavy” for a Monday.
Interestingly, the joke could be read as Mondays normally being something uneventful. That opinion is surprisingly gracious from Garfield, who normally treats Monday as something horrific.
7 Garfield’s Thoughts on Tuesdays
July 8, 1980
With Garfield’s infamous fear and loathing on Mondays, one has to wonder what the famous cat tends to think about when it comes to the other days of the week. After all, it makes sense that Garfield would enjoy any other day of the week that isn’t the one he dreads the most.
Garfield gives his answer to the audience in one strip. Waking up in his bed, Garfield notes that the day is Tuesday. He then muses about what he likes most about Tuesday. His simple answer is that it’s not Monday. All in all, Garfield is a cat who knows what he likes.
6 Garfield Takes a Spill
April 7, 1980
Garfield is known for being not quite a talking animal. On one hand, readers always know what Garfield is thinking from his thought bubbles, but he rarely actually “talks.” Even some cartoons don’t animate his mouth even as his thoughts are vocalized for the audience to hear. However, when Garfield feels strongly about something, even Jon can catch onto what his pet is thinking.
In this simple strip, Garfield is taking a simple stroll on the kitchen table while Jon is eating his breakfast. Garfield accidentally steps into a bowl and knocks it over on himself. Jon comments on how Garfield hates Mondays, suggesting he’s taken note of how much his cat dislikes this certain day of the week. Garfield naturally confirms this opinion to the audience.
5 The Time Garfield’s Bed Betrayed Him
May 4, 1981
When Monday comes as it does once a week, one could be forgiven for thinking Garfield should just stay in bed. After all, he’s a cat and they are known for sleeping. However, on a Monday, Garfield isn’t even safe inside his own bed.
This is seen in one strip, which starts off with Garfield yawning while perched on the edge of his bed. It then quickly falls over from his weight, much to his surprise. While it probably wasn’t the best idea to put all his weight on the bed frame in the first place, Garfield blames the accident on the day of the week, swearing revenge.
4 Garfield’s Social Status
October 5, 1981
Readers might think that Garfield’s hatred of Mondays is meant to be ironic, especially considering he’s a cat who has no responsibilities in life. In fact, he’s Jon’s responsibility. However, Garfield sometimes acknowledges this, but that doesn’t make him dislike his dreaded day any less.
After starting the strip announcing his hatred of Monday, Garfield adds it’s just the start of another week of hardship and toil. The irony is not lost on Garfield, as he quickly points out that he doesn’t work, nor does he even need to.
He suspects it’s because he’s a “social chameleon,” implying the stress that Monday gives to everyone around him still gets to him.
3 Garfield Vs. Piano
June 15, 1981
When it comes to Garfield’s world, the overwhelming power of Monday can be downright supernatural. There are times when Garfield has tried to avoid Monday’s attacks, but it still finds a way to get him.
In one story, Garfield tries to protect himself by hiding in an open field. This makes some sense, as the usual mishaps that plague him usually affect him while he’s getting out of bed. After all, there doesn’t seem to be anything around that could jump out and hurt Garfield.
Unfortunately, Garfield doesn’t think to look up, as a piano falls from the sky, crashing on top of him. There’s possibly a mundane explanation for it, but a falling piano isn’t something readers see every day.
2 Garfield’s Spilled Salt
May 10, 1982
Sometimes, the very concept of Monday gets Garfield feeling existential. In one story, Garfield decides to take a break and talk to the audience about the concept of Monday. He even decides to have this conversation during one of his favorite pastimes: eating. In fact, he’s even salting his food to taste.
Unfortunately, the salt shaker breaks open, spilling the contents all over. The food is not only ruined, every last grain appears to have spilled out, wasting the entire shaker. A bemused Garfield can only admit that Monday is meant to add an obligatory sense of depression to what could’ve otherwise been a nice week.
1 Life Is a Highway
July 2, 2018
Artists and writers know that there’s a time to show and a time to tell. When it comes to Garfield, we don’t need to know exactly what happened to him on a Monday to make him hate the day so much. In one strip, Garfield already looks disheveled while drinking a mug of coffee.
Whether he just suffered a bad day or just got out on the wrong side of bed, this clearly isn’t going to be his day. Jon, seemingly oblivious to how his cat is feeling today, muses about the old saying that life is a highway. Garfield responds by suggesting that Mondays might be the potholes on said highway of life.
