Christina Rossetti's Goblin Market

The poem “Goblin Market” by Christina Rossetti, has thematically been approached in various ways. The poem has many different themes and uses various metaphors and images. After reading “Goblin Market”, I believe Rossetti’s intentions were to express the views and beliefs of Christianity utilizing a feminine approach. “Goblin Market” tells a story about two sisters (Laura and Lizzie) who battle with the temptations of sin in their everyday lives. When Laura falls into the temptation of sin, Lizzie saves her from death while placing her own life in danger like Jesus Christ did for us. The poem points to teach the Christian view of staying away from sin and overcoming the desires of the flesh. The “Goblin Market” relates to the biblical story

While walking in the brook, surrounded by the cries and offerings of the goblin men, Lizzie explains to Laura that it is wrong to accept the gifts from the goblin men. Lizzie says, “No, no, no; / Their offers should not charm us, / Their evil gifts would harm us” (Rossetti). This passage gives the reader the impression that the goblin’s fruits are evil and could lead to something bad. Laura, however, makes the decision to accept the evil gifts because the goblin men enticed her with their fruit by crawling into her consciousness. This refers to when Satan deceived Eve and she ate the forbidden fruit. People seem to be easily tempted by sin regardless of the consequences. The goblins described the sin being “Sweet to tongue and sound to eye”, so it’s difficult to pass up (Rossetti). Sin usually causes one to lose control and act without properly thinking. In Laura’s case, she didn’t have any money to buy the fruits but the goblins told her, “You have much gold upon your head and buy from us with a golden curl” (Rossetti). Laura decided to give up her precious hair in return for the fruits she desired. Laura gave up something that is her prized possession and is sadden by her decision. But Laura hopes that she will gain satisfaction from the

Anything forbidden seems wonderful at first. The consequences follow Laura when she caves. Laura soon realizes that sin is just an instant gratification, “I ate and ate my fill” and “Yet my mouth waters still” (Rossetti). Laura is no longer able to receive enjoyment of the fruits because she has no access to them. Laura “Sat up in a passionate yearning, / And gnash’d her teeth for baulk’d desire, and wept/ As if her heart would break” (Rossetti). This is the outcome of sin: it leaves the person feeling disappointed. The poem also discusses how Laura liked it to be dark instead of bright day. In the Bible, sin is the darkness and God shines light into the