Christina Rossetti: Goblin Market Flashcards
Where did Rossetti undertake voluntary work and how may this have influenced her to write Goblin Market?
Rossetti volunteered at the St Mary Magdalene House for Fallen Women, which offered support to unmarried mothers and prostitutes and helped to ‘rehabilitate’ them back into society. This led to Rossetti sympathising with the plight of such women, branded ‘fallen women’, which may be why she wrote Goblin Market, in an effort to argue in some way that women who have given in to sexual desire need not be shunned from society.
The poem is regarded as allegorical in its nature or referred to as a fable. What do these terms mean and what is the allegory of Goblin Market?
Allegories and fables are stories with deeper moral or political messages to them. In this case, Goblin Market could be considered an allegory which warns against the consequences of giving in to temptation and, particularly for women, sexual desire, in an era full of social constraint.
Who did Rossetti dedicate the poem to and where is this signified in the poem?
Rossetti dedicated the poem to her only sister, Maria. This seems to be referenced when at the end of the poem there is the declaration “for there is no friend like a sister”.
What is the purpose of the character Jeanie in the poem?
Jeanie is the cautionary tale in the narrative; Lizzie reminds Laura about Jeanie, who gave into the temptation of the goblin men and “dwindled and grew grey”, eventually falling from existence. Lizzie observes that “no grass will grow where she lies low”- a symbol of her sexual transgressions and sinfulness.
How does Laura commodify herself?
Laura turns herself into a commodity by “clipping a precious golden lock” from her hair”. A lock of hair- symbolising the pledging of virginity in other works of literature such as the epic poem The Rape of the Lock by Alexander Pope- is used by Laura as payment in return for the opportunity to indulge in the goblin men’s fruits.
What happens to Laura after engaging with the goblin men and eating their fruit? What does this potentially symbolise?
After indulging in the fruits of the goblin men, Laura’s “hair grew thin and grey” and “she no more swept the house”. As a consequence of giving in to temptation, Laura loses her youth and beauty- making her undesirable in a marriage market. She also loses her domesticity, suggesting she has sacrificed her purpose as a woman now she has ‘fallen’.
How can Lizzie be considered a ‘christ-like’ figure in her attempt to save and redeem Laura?
Lizzie is presented as the ideal Victorian woman: she does not give in to temptation when Laura fails. She is compared to ‘swans’ and ‘lilies’, both symbols of her purity. Lizzie risks sacrificing herself and her own innocence in an effort to save Laura, as Christ did during his crucifixion to save humanity. Lizzie’s silence and stoicism- she “utter’d not a word” and “would not open lip from lip”- could be compared to Jesus on the cross, as others wept around him.
What is the significance of the ending of the poem?
At the end of the poem, Rossetti mentions that both sisters became “wives with children of their own”. This could arguably be considered the pinnacle of feminine success at the time of writing, and suggests that fallen women should not be made to suffer if they are willing to redeem themselves for their past behaviour.
What does Anthony Harrison say the poem reflects about Victorian society and its views of women?
Harrison says that Goblin Market “reflects a profound fear of female sexuality”. Whilst the poem suggests that fallen women need not be shunned from society for ever as a result of past transgressions, it does imply foremostly that women should not give in to sexual temptation or curiosity.
Which magazine did the poem controversially appear in for one of their issues in 1973 and why?
Goblin Market appeared in Playboy magazine, most likely because of the descriptions of a very sexual nature that are included (such as Laura’s engagement with the goblin men in which she “suck’d and suck’d and suck’d the more”, and the interaction between the sisters which has been interpreted as a lesbian narrative).
