Temptation And Redemption In Goblin Market By Christina Rossetti

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In the poem “Goblin Market” written by Christina Rossetti the underlying theme of religion is quite apparent. The theme of religion in the poem is demonstrated by two concepts often seen in Abrahamic literature, temptation and redemption. Temptation within the “Goblin Market” is represented through the character Laura’s desire and redemption, on the other hand, is depicted through Lizzie’s will to help her sister. Throughout the poem, we can see many allusions to the Bible, some of which include a reference to the Garden of Eden and the selflessness of Christ. The poem begins with two sisters, Laura and Lizzie, sneaking behind a bush in order to watch the mysterious goblin men who are selling their “fruit”. Although their fruit …show more content…

After days of watching her sister suffer and as she became “dwindling seemed knocking at death’s door” (“Goblin Market” 320-321) because of the fruit she had eaten from the goblin men, Lizzie becomes determined to find a way to save her sister. Lizzie decides that she herself must go to the Goblin Market in order to buy their fruits, thinking that it may be the only cure for her sister’s illness. Lizzie’s selfless actions can be compared to those of Christ. When Lizzie goes to the market to purchase the fruits, the goblin men attempt to seduce her and try to make her eat the fruit herself. However, Lizzie is strong willed and knows the consequences of eating their fruit, so she remains obstinate, refusing to eat the fruit of the goblin men. Her resistance causes the Goblin Men to become angered and they “Trod and hustled her, Elbow 'd and jostled her, Claw 'd with their nails, Barking, mewing, hissing, mocking…Held her hands and squeez 'd their fruits, Against her mouth to make her eat.” (399-407), harming her both physically and verbally. Lizzie being determined to not eat the fruit simply closes her mouth and lets them spill the juices of the fruit on her. She then runs back home in a frantic state and lets Laura suck the juices off of her. Here Lizzie is being depicted as a very Christ-like figure. She selflessly allows herself to be tortured by the Goblin Men so that she can save her sister. When she returns home she shows no signs of anger towards Laura for what had just happened even though ultimately Laura’s inability to not give into her temptation is what caused her to be abused by the goblin men. This can be compared to Christ’s willingness to give up his life in order for the sins of humanity to be erased in the Bible. When Laura is given the juices of the fruit from her sister she is provided with redemption. Although she had

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