By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)
‘Goblin Market’ is probably the most famous poem Christina Rossetti () wrote. It’s a long narrative poem about two sisters, Lizzie and Laura, and how Laura succumbs to temptation and tastes the fruit sold by the goblins of the poem’s title. In this post, we offer a very short analysis of ‘Goblin Market’ in terms of its language, metre, meaning, and themes.
This is not intended to be a comprehensive analysis, by any means – more of an introduction to one of the most critically acclaimed and widely discussed poems in all of Victorian literature. You can read Rossetti’s ‘Goblin Market’ here. (For more information about her life, we recommend our short and interesting biography of Rossetti.)
The poem opens:
Morning and evening
Maids heard the goblins cry:
‘Come buy our orchard fruits,
Come buy, come buy:
Apples and quinces,
Lemons and oranges,
Plump unpeck’d cherries,
Melons and raspberries,
Bloom-down-cheek’d peaches,
Swart-headed mulberries,
Wild free-born cranberries,
Crab-apples, dewberries,
Pine-apples, blackberries,
Apricots, strawberries;—
All ripe together
In summer weather,—
Morns that pass by,
Fair eves
Christina Rossetti’s “Goblin Market” is a hauntingly beautiful poem that has captured the imaginations of readers for over a century. With its vivid imagery, complex themes, and lyrical language, it is widely regarded as one of Rossetti’s greatest works. In this article, we will explore the poem’s meaning, symbolism, and literary devices, as well as its historical and cultural context, in order to gain a deeper understanding of this poetic masterpiece.
The Life of Christina Rossetti
Christina Rossetti was born in London in , the youngest of four siblings. Her father, Gabriele Rossetti, was an Italian poet and political exile, and her mother, Frances Polidori, was the sister of John Polidori, the author of “The Vampyre.” Christina was raised in a devoutly religious household and was educated at home by her mother. She began writing poetry at a young age and published her first collection, “Goblin Market and Other Poems,” in Despite suffering from poor health throughout her life, Rossetti continued to write and publish poetry until her death in She is now considered one of the most important Victorian poets, known for her lyr
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Summary:
Every evening, when sisters Lizzie and Laura go to fetch water from a nearby stream, they must listen to the tempting calls of goblin men selling delicious fruit. Lizzie fears the goblins and admonishes her sister to do the same. When they catch sight of the goblins displaying their wares on golden platters, Lizzie runs home, but Laura is entranced. Despite the goblins' demonic appearance, resembling cats, rats, snails and covered in whiskers, Laura hears only the coo of doves. The goblins see her and repeat their cry. Although Laura has no money, the goblins accept a lock of her hair as payment for the fruit. Laura drinks her fill of fruit juice and returns home, intoxicated by the sweet nectars. She brings one fruit stone (pit) home with her.
Lizzie meets Laura at the gateway to their home and scolds her sister for returning late. She recounts the tale of their friend Jeanie, who ate a piece of the goblin fruit and then pined away to her death because she could not get any more. Laura assures her sister that all is well and that she plans to buy enough fruit for both of them th
Goblin Market is a narrative poem by Christina Rossetti, first published in The poem tells the story of two sisters, Laura and Lizzie, who encounter goblin merchants selling exotic fruits. Laura succumbs to temptation and eats the fruits, while Lizzie resists. The poem has been interpreted in various ways, with many scholars viewing it as an allegory for temptation, sin, and redemption.
The poem’s themes of temptation, desire, and redemption have made it a popular subject of literary analysis. Many scholars have interpreted the poem as a critique of Victorian society’s attitudes towards women and sexuality. Others have viewed it as a Christian allegory, with the goblins representing the devil and the fruits representing sin. Regardless of its interpretation, the poem’s vivid imagery and haunting melodies have made it a beloved work of literature that continues to captivate readers today.
Historical Context of ‘Goblin Market’
Christina Rossetti’s ‘Goblin Market‘ was published in , during the Victorian era, a time when there were strict rules and expectations about sexuality. Women were expected to be weak, innocent, and nai
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