How Does Christina Rossetti Create An Allegory In Goblin Market

Christina Rossetti is a British poet who wrote during the time of Mid-Victorian England. She is extremely religious, which influences some of her poetry. From a religious view point temptation and sin are two things that are hard to resist, although once committed both have consequences. Goblin Market shows the overall meaning of not to sin and give into temptation as a representation of Christina Rossetti’s religious view through allegory, symbolism and zoomorphism.
One literary device that is very prevalent in the “Goblin Market” is the use of Allegory. Allegory is conveying a spiritual or moral message using symbols in a story. The story of the Goblin Market is similar to the story of Adam and Eve from the bible. In the story of Adam and Eve, Eve is tempted by a snake (the adversary) to eat a piece of forbidden fruit that is no good for her. Eve gave into the temptation and now must suffer the consequences. In the story of the Goblin Market Laura …show more content…
Symbolism is using certain objects to represent a different than their original meaning to create a deeper meaning. In the story of the Goblin Market Laura is a maid and does not have much money. When Laura tries to buy the fruit and doesn’t have the money the goblins suggest for her to cut off a piece of her hair in exchange. In the text it was implied that Laura’s hair was valued as equal to or greater than the value of money. In the text it referred to Laura’s hair as being “gold upon her head” “precious” and “more rare than a pearl” (Rossetti, Christina). Laura’s hair symbolizes her youth, a piece of herself that she had never get back. Once Laura cut her hair and traded it to the goblins for the fruit she gave them her youth. With the missing locke of hair Laura losses her youth she begins to age which turns her hair gray, she is stable in the house instead of outside and she is nearing death at a very young