Analysis Of Christina Rossetti's Goblin Market

Goblin Market or “Black Market”?

From the beginning it is evident, to most readers, that temptation is one of the major themes Christina Rossetti chose to write about in her poem “Goblin Market.” Temptation is one theme most people can relate to. The more interesting aspect of this theme is what is causing the temptation. This underling topic I would argue would be the temptations for drugs. I think that Rossetti’s Goblin Market is a metaphor for what we would call today a “Black Market,” or place where illegal substances are sold. I believe Rossetti wrote Goblin Market as a social commentary on the temptations and uses of drugs in her society and the world around her.

As people we often persuaded to make decisions based on society’s opinions. Laura is no different. She is tempted over and over again by societies call to “Come buy, our orchard fruits, /Come buy, come buy:” (3-4). This phrase, “come buy” is repeated over and over again in this poem and is found in lines 19, 31, 46, 90, and 104 to mention a few specific examples. This scene of Lizzie and Laura being called by the Goblins to “come buy”, could easily be interpreted as someone on the street trying to sell another person drugs. What we can’t have (or shouldn’t) almost always makes people want it more.

However without money she had to pay for the fruit (drugs) with a lock of hair. “She clipped a precious golden lock,/ She dropped a tear more rare than a pearl” (126-127). This action of giving away a lock of her hair I think is a metaphor for sex or at least a sexual favor. The reasoning being that’s her hair was seen as “more rare than a pearl” (127). Laura’s temptation was so great that she chose to give part of herself (virginity?), to experience the forbidden fruits. The fruit, like drugs in our culture were exotic and enticing to Laura and she was attracted to buy and try them, no matter the