Goblin Market Biographical Lens

After reading this poem through several times, and trying on different lenses, it is evident that the best lens to look at “Goblin Market” by Christina Rossetti through is the biographical one. Looking through the biographical lens, it is made evident that in “Goblin Market”, Rossetti alludes to her childhood, her health, and her father.

Firstly, the biographical lens is appropriate to apply to “Goblin Market” because the author writes about her childhood. At first glance, this poem may seem like a simple moral story about sisters caring for and supporting each other. The author’s childhood was not unlike the moral, in fact “Rossetti’s childhood was exceptionally happy,” (Poetry Foundation). Several different aspects contributed to her happiness including “affectionate parental care and the creative companionship of older siblings.” (Poetry Foundation). And of course “...there is no friend like a sister” (Rossetti), which again illustrates the closeness of the two sisters in the poem. Since Rossetti writes

In 1845, Rossetti’s health collapsed mysteriously (Poetry Foundation). She was diagnosed with Angina, which causes intense pain in a specific area. This intensity is carried through to “Goblin Market” and is most recognizable when she tries the poisonous goblin fruit. The passion with which she “...suck’d their fruit globes…” is astonishing, and could only have been written by someone who was experiencing extreme emotions. Unfortunately for Rossetti, her emotions were pain-based, as she was also diagnosed with tuberculosis and Graves’ disease. Laura’s health also collapsed, but her cause is less mysterious. Thanks to the poison of the goblins, she, like Rossetti goes “...knocking at Death’s door” (Rossetti). These similarities between “Goblin Market” and Rossetti’s health, make it clear that a biographical lens is suitable for this