Fallen Women In Christina Rossetti's Goblin Market

The Victorian society was not divided simply horizontally by class, it was also divided vertically by gender. In both texts we are exposed to gender ideals The importance of a woman’s identity during the Victorian period was unquestionably measured in accordance with her sexual status. The existence of the fallen women was a concept that was prevalent during the Victorian period and is largely connected to sexual purity and an irrevocable loss of innocence. In both Goblin Market and Mary Barton there is reference to characters as fallen women. Mary Barton provides an insight into the Elizabeth Gaskells opinions and critique of fallen women and how Victorian society treated them. Similarly, Christina Rossetti's Goblin Market questions the existence …show more content…
Women were limited by gender roles in a male dominated society. Females had no outlet to move beyond the boundaries imposed on them as a result of their class and gender expectations. In “goblin market” Rossetti establishes a context which allows, or tries to allow, for the existence of the female …show more content…
The blurred boundaries create a type of passive heroism. In a society with such oppression of women to heterosexual male dominance, Lizzie does not surrender to the temptation and seduction of the Goblins as Laura does. She actively attempts to conquer it. And bravely tampers with economic and sexual spheres. Goblin Market leaves an ambiguous ending which highlights Rossetti’s issues with dominance, gender and sexuality but fails to offer any resolution in relation to the subject of female heroism. “Morning and evening, Maids heard the goblins cry” from the outset of the poem it is evident that the Goblins call can only be heard by women. It appears that men are with not in any danger of succumbing to the lure of the Goblins, only women are capable of falling from grace to lose their status, respect and