Essay on Christina Rossetti’s Goblin Market - 1087 Words

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†¦show more content†¦Ironically, Rossetti’s portrayal of seduction is in stark contrast to accepted notions of the Victorian period in that the male characters signify dangerous temptation, not the troubled females. The goblin men confirm this contradiction by representing the venomous effects that experienced seductive men have on innocent naive women. Rossetti’s ironic gender split exemplifies her progressive attitude of feminist thought while also serving as a depiction on the principles of Victorian society. In addition, the feminist view of sexuality is evident throughout Rossetti’s poem. Laura and Lizzie’s magical experience portrays the pursuit for sensual awareness while struggling between physical identity and spiritual salvation. Furthermore, â€Å"She clipped a precious golden lock, she dropped a tear more rare than pearl, then sucked their fruit globes fair or red, sweeter than honey from the rock† (ll. 126-29) and â€Å"sucked until her lips were sore† (l. 136). With blatant sexual undertones, this pivotal moment signifies the character’s transition from maiden to woman or innocence to experience. Additionally, this exchange could be a metaphor for Laura’s relinquishment of her sacred virginity. As Laura falls sicker and slowly begins to deteriorate, Rossetti illustrates the consequences of succumbing to the temptation of men’s deceit and the importance of remaining pure. With use of vivid imagery, Rossetti further emphasizes the animalistic and uncannyShow MoreRelatedChristina Rossetti’s Goblin Market Essay887 Words   |  4 Pages There are several meanings and interpretations of Christina Rossetti’s, â€Å"Goblin Market†. â€Å"Goblin Market† is the story of two sisters, which one of them, Laura, is tempted to visit the new goblin market in town. Laura buys the fruit from the goblin men in exchange for a lock of her hair, despite the several warnings from her sister Lizzie not to consume the fruit. Laura gets sick and Lizzie saves her by going to the market. 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As she delightedly observes and describes the intricacies of the natural, ordinary world, Eliot pays attention to human nature, applying keen psychological insightRead More Themes Presented in Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti Essay1184 Words   |  5 PagesPresented in Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti Christina Rossettis used her poetry to express herself; her work exhibits many autobiographical elements and from it the reader can discern Rossettis emotions, beliefs and her comments on the society she lived in. As a female poet it would have been improper for Rossetti to deal directly with these issues though and so her ideas are masked through appearing to be childrens poetry and having simple meanings. 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The concept of the power and responsibility possessed by the poet is addressed throughout Cixous’ work in which she declares, â€Å"I write woman: woman must write woman† (877). Moreover, Cixous’ work points to Rossetti’s responsibility to change the perception of women through her poetic, magical universe. By presenting men as non-human creatures