Tabitha Silva
British Literature 3
October 17th 2015
Paper #1 “Goblin Market”, written by Christina Rossetti in 1859 and published in 1862, is a tale warning of the dangers of temptation. This piece was written in a time period where many women were not educated because it was frowned upon just as the expression of a woman’ sexuality was frowned upon. I believe “Goblin Market” can be used to address all forms of forbidden female pleasure such as education and sexuality. “Goblin Market” tells the tale of two sisters who are tempted by the goblins to eat their fruit one night. Laura gives into this temptation one night and finds that now that she ate the goblin’s fruit she is craving more and more of the goblin’s fruit. Lizzie now is the only …show more content…
The goblin men represent a kind of carnal lust that is frowned upon during this time. An example of this is lines, (9 11, 21) – where the description of the goblins fruit purposely taunts you into wanting to eat it – trying to get you to give into your basic desires. If the goblin men represent this carnal lust it could be said that Laura’s eating of the fruit is essentially a metaphor for a loss of her virginity. The goblin men instead of wanting Laura’s money when she eats the fruit they want a lock of her hair ‘You have much gold upon your head, / . . . Buy from us with a golden curl’” (123, 125) – meaning they aren’t interested in money but the young woman’s body. Another example of the sexually suggestive language used is the lines describing what the goblins did to Lizzie when they first spied her “ Hugg'd her and kiss'd her: Squeez'd and caress'd her:” (348-349). Even more suggestive is the lines where the goblins are trying to force Lizzie into eating the fruit when they realize she wants to take it back with her to Laura. There can be connections made towards the symbolism of Lizzie essentially being forced or raped by the goblin men when the try to force her into eating the
British Literature 3
October 17th 2015
Paper #1 “Goblin Market”, written by Christina Rossetti in 1859 and published in 1862, is a tale warning of the dangers of temptation. This piece was written in a time period where many women were not educated because it was frowned upon just as the expression of a woman’ sexuality was frowned upon. I believe “Goblin Market” can be used to address all forms of forbidden female pleasure such as education and sexuality. “Goblin Market” tells the tale of two sisters who are tempted by the goblins to eat their fruit one night. Laura gives into this temptation one night and finds that now that she ate the goblin’s fruit she is craving more and more of the goblin’s fruit. Lizzie now is the only …show more content…
The goblin men represent a kind of carnal lust that is frowned upon during this time. An example of this is lines, (9 11, 21) – where the description of the goblins fruit purposely taunts you into wanting to eat it – trying to get you to give into your basic desires. If the goblin men represent this carnal lust it could be said that Laura’s eating of the fruit is essentially a metaphor for a loss of her virginity. The goblin men instead of wanting Laura’s money when she eats the fruit they want a lock of her hair ‘You have much gold upon your head, / . . . Buy from us with a golden curl’” (123, 125) – meaning they aren’t interested in money but the young woman’s body. Another example of the sexually suggestive language used is the lines describing what the goblins did to Lizzie when they first spied her “ Hugg'd her and kiss'd her: Squeez'd and caress'd her:” (348-349). Even more suggestive is the lines where the goblins are trying to force Lizzie into eating the fruit when they realize she wants to take it back with her to Laura. There can be connections made towards the symbolism of Lizzie essentially being forced or raped by the goblin men when the try to force her into eating the