Christina Rossetti’s "Goblin Market"

Christina Rossetti’s poem, Goblin Market, was written in the Victorian era during a time of vast social change across Europe. Though the Victorian period was a time of female suppression and order, Rossetti exposed social stigmas and ideologies that are displayed through the journey of two sisters, Laura and Lizzie. Despite initial impressions of a childhood fairytale, the suggestive and multi-interpretive use of language signifies an underlying message of erotic sexual commentary and feminist views. In addition, Rossetti conveys moral lessons by illustrating consequences of the goblin’s seduction. Through the sister’s experience with the goblins, the power of sisterhood becomes undeniable. Christina Rossetti’s Goblin Market serves as a catalyst for feminist literature by exploring the theme of feminism through the concepts of seduction, sex, and sisterhood.

The element of seduction is apparent from the goblin men’s overwhelming yearning for the human body. Initially, the goblins exemplify their seductive nature in the first stanza when persuading the sisters to, “Come buy, come buy: Apples and quinces, Lemons and oranges, Plump unpecked cherries, Melons and raspberries…” (ll. 4-8). With language of vivid descriptions, a vast variety of luscious fruits, and intentions of temptation, Laura ultimately succumbs to the goblins ploy. Similar to Adam and Eve’s original sin in the Garden of Eden, the forbidden fruit represents the conflict between lust and morality. In addition, this same notion is apparent at the poem’s turning point when Laura can no longer resist the goblin’s seduction and thus seeks the fruit:

Like a lily from the beck,

Like a moonlit poplar branch,

Like a vessel at the launch,

When its last restraint is go...

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... stormy weather” (ll. 562-3). In this powerful final passage the sister’s relationship has not only been confirmed, but also immensely strengthened.

Rossetti’s Goblin Market is a progressive text of the Victorian period that embodies feminist elements such as sex, sisterhood, and seduction. Rossetti exemplified feminist thought in characterizing Lizzie as the poem’s hero. Furthermore, the only male characters represent man’s seductive and deceptive nature that has the potential of leading to deadly consequences. Such consequences are portrayed with vivid sexual imagery such as Lizzie’s attack by the goblins and her loss of purity. Laura and Lizzie’s near death experiences that were brought on by seduction and their strong sisterly bond, reveals the necessity to experience life with deep meaning while never forgetting the power of sisterhood and the evils of men.