Goblin Market: The Overly Sexualized Christian Story

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Goblin Market: The Overly Sexualized Christian Story
“Did you miss me? Come and kiss me
Never mind my bruises
Hug me, kiss me, suck my juices.” (Rossetti)
This excerpt is from Christina Rossetti’s ‘Goblin Market’ which she claims is a children’s fairy tail. However, when examined beyond just the surface, ‘Goblin Market’ is a poem with a much deeper meaning. Many say Rossetti’s poem portrays the story of girls and drugs. Others assume the poem is about rape and the feminine body. In actuality, ‘Goblin Market’ is Rossetti’s attempt to portray the Christian story of the fall and redemption of man albeit with a strong sexual undertone. In the Bible, the church is referred to as the bride of Christ, Rossetti uses such sexual references in order …show more content…

In the poem, Laura is an allegory for man whilst Lizzie serves to represent Christ. According to the Bible, Christ and man start off being close and on speaking terms until Adam and Eve gave up their purity by consuming the forbidden fruit. The plot of the poem is parallel to that of the story of Genesis. Laura and Lizzie were both close until she was tempted by the fruit.
“’No,’ said Lizzie, ‘no, no, no;
Their offers should not charm us” (Rossetti)
Just as God warned Adam and Eve, Lizzie cautioned Laura about going close to the fruits. Laura didn’t heed her warning and ate the fruit which made her fall into sin which created a divide between the two sisters. Laura’s loss of her purity was symbolized by her using her ‘golden hair’ to buy the fruits; trading her purity for sin.
The next part of the poem shows Christ having to take on the punishment of our sins on our behalf. Lizzie approaching the goblins symbolizes Jesus taking on our sins on the cross but not becoming sinful himself.
“Lizzie uttered not a word;
Would not open lip from lip.” …show more content…

This statement cannot be true for the following reasons: First of all, Rossetti was a Christian herself and grew up in a Christian home. Her mother would read bible stories to her when she was younger. That would mean Rossetti would be very well versed in Biblical events. If Rossetti never her poem to seem too Christian like, she would have chosen her plot and word choice more carefully. Secondly, and most importantly, Rossetti uses the same symbolism and imagery used in the Bible. In the Bible, fruits are used as a metaphor for temptation as well as sex. Sounds just like ‘Goblin

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