Goblin Market

Christina Rossetti (1862)

Passage Summary
Lizzie goes to buy fruit from the goblin men for her sister who is near death The goblin men tell her to stay and eat the fruit with them in their feast, but she refuses The goblin men are enraged and savagely attack Lizzie Our passage describes Lizzies resilience and refusal to eat with them even under extreme duress and Rossettis view of her character because of this resilience.

Thesis
Societys constant offering of opportunities for sin and temptation can be seen as a defining moment of character and ultimate destiny as seen in the characters of Lizzie and Laura

The former is saved and deemed honorable for her mind of sense and prudence while the latter briefly suffers for her negligible self-indulgence.

Narrative Context
Character Development
It creates a clear contrast between the characters of the poem.

The poem already alludes to Lizzie being the more prudent and stronger willed one, having resisted the temptation the first time.
This passage significantly enhances that image, painting her as strong, noble, stately and pure, as opposed to her sister.

Shift
The part immediately before our passage is of a significantly darker tone. Rossetti creates a very painful and violent image of the goblin men savagely attacking Lizzie, but then transitions into a more positive, uplifting tone as she describes Lizzie in the context of her strength to resist the goblins. The emotion seems to shift from fear to joy and admiration

Shift

Narrative Context

Previous stanza creates tension; this stanza serves as its resolution Narrative is reminiscent of a fairytale or fable; this stanza is heavyhanded in its delivery of principles Introduction of clear, moralizing language New focus on Lizzie First clear move towards positivity and hope after having created an atmosphere of worry, despair, and violence In previous stanzas, Laura as a person isnt directly critiquedrather her actions are. By contrast, here, Lizzie is directly venerated. Illuminates Rossettis view on the proper conduct of women: Women should guard their purity and those who do should be highly esteemed However, there should be sympathy for women who have wandered astray, as well as the possibility for redemption

Quick Questions
1. What is the purpose of character development in
this poem? What does it add?

2. What is the effect of using

a narrative suggestive of a fairytale or fable? What are the benefits? Limitations?

Historical Context
Childrens poems memorized and recited Rossetti was born in 1830 and wrote largely devotional and childrens poems. At 14, Rossetti suffered a nervous breakdown and turned to Anglo-Catholicism

The Cult of Domesticity/ True Womanhood was terribly disproportionate to a males Code of Chivalry

Historical Context
Prostitution was rampant in England Rossetti was involved with the St. Mary Magdalen house of charity Homosexuality was punishable by death

Quick Questions
Why would a poem with such overt sexuality be memorized and recited by young children?

Are we to assume that content was simply accepted and not analyzed? In other words, would the children have known what they were reciting?

Close Reading
Christina Rossetti uses figurative language, tone, and imagery in this passage to give the reader insight to the true character of Laura, and how important innocence and strength were in being the ideal and pure woman of that time. Imagery is used to emphasize Lauras strength and purity, especially after she was brutally attacked by the goblin men while trying to save her sister: Close beleaguered by a fleet/mad to tug her standard down (420-421) royal virgin town (418)
An image is created of Lizzie defending a sort of fortress against attack, and standing her ground against the devious Goblin men White is a symbol of virginity and pureness

Imagery

White and golden (408) White with blossoms honey-sweet (416)

epitome of the perfect woman in the Victorian era

she is innocent and gentle for not giving into the temptations of the Goblin men

Close Reading
Figurative language, such as simile, is used to describe the extent to Lizzies positive actions and beliefs to emphasize the importance.
Like a lily in a flood (409) lasting beauty and purity while surrounded by sudden horror and doom of the Goblin men. persistence and ability to stay strong and unmoved while struck with such violence.

Like a rock of blue-veined stone/ lashed by tides obstreperously (410-411)

Like a beacon left alone/ In a hoary roaring sea (412-413)

although the setting was raging and vicious like the intense waves and depth of the ocean, she was left unharmed in the long run.

Close Reading
The change in tone and diction shows Lizzies true character and makes the reader have empathy with Lizzies situation. In the previous section, the tone was dark and ruthlessly violent when describing the Goblin mens attack, which draws the reader in and causes the reader to feel bad for Lizzie. The contrast in tone to a more calm and relaxed one helps the reader understand how tough and determined Lizzie is to stay true to her beliefs. grunting and snarling (393) hissing, mocking (402) fruit-crowned orange tree (415) blossoms honey-sweet (416) Evoke a feeling of shock and concern Calm the reader down and cause them to realize Lizzies power and tranquility for doing the proper thing, despite such a brutal attack

Quick Questions
Why does Christina Rossetti describe Lizzies actions as so heroic and strong? How does this match with the historical context?

Larger Significance
Themes
How women should act in society Resisting temptation Importance of purity

This passage shows Lizzie and her ability to resist temptation. Women were to remain a virgin until marriage, and if they did not, they were seen as useless or someone a man did not want. Lizzie gives us a clear representation of how to not give in and remain strong to her foundation.

Larger Significance
Larger Message
- Women are portrayed as victims or heroes - Men are portrayed as monsters - Sacrifice - Power of female companionship (sisterhood) - Importance of redemption Lizzie and Lauras close relationship causes Lizzie to sacrifice herself to help keep Laura alive.

This passage gives us an understanding of what was going on in the Victorian period
Women, especially sisters, had to stay close and help each other as men were seen as monsters out to take away a womens purity.

These women had to have enough sense to realize this and avoid these situations. If a woman became trapped they were considered the victim, but if they eluded the temptation, as Lizzie did, they were a hero.
Fallen women have the ability to be redeemed, however

Quick Questions
We find that Christina Rossetti seems to be a religious person in her biography Do you think this poem has any religious significance behind it? Why?

Final Questions
1. What defined a "fallen woman" in Victorian society? What
implications that came with that title so frightened society to the point of isolation of these women? 2. Think of biblical references to sexuality. How are they portrayed? What are the consequences? How does society today and in the Victorian Era interpret these values?

The end