Goblin Market

I liked the “Goblin Market”, I thought it was an easy read and was easy to understand for the most part. I understood the biblical sense of the story, about how it deals with temptation and disobedience, like in the story of Adam and Eve. I honestly did not pick up on the other way the story could be interpreted, but it makes a lot of sense and I now fully understand the story. I understand now how the kernel-stone Laura saved did not grow from her tears since she was now impure like Jeanie and how only Lizzie could hear the goblin’s cries since she was not tainted by them like Laura was.

What I liked the most about the poem was that Lizzie was willing to do anything for her sister in order for Laura to get back to normal. It really shows how good of a person and a sister Lizzie is since she was willing to sacrifice herself in order to redeem her sister.

The one thing that I thought was weird at first was why the goblins looked like different animals. I always pictured goblins as little green creatures with big pointy noses and ears, but I guess their forbidden fruits would not have gotten sold as much if they looked like evil ugly green creatures even though they really were, but looked like little animals in disguise. Anyway, I wasn’t surprised that this poem was read by children during that time since it makes a lot of good points that the children could easily pick up on. Such as, don’t be disobedient or there will be consequences and always help out your family members. I also thought that it was odd that Laura would kiss the fruit juices off of Lizzie because she was so obsessed with the forbidden fruit. Although, I was glad that Laura learned her lesson and realized what she did was wrong. I also noticed that this poem shows the values of the Victorians during that time, since it is saying that if women give into temptation they will be ostracized and looked down on. 

 Discussion Questions:

Why do you think Rosetti chose to combine two meanings or ways that the poem could be interpreted?

If the poem was never intended to be read by children do you think the goblin men would still be pictured as little animals or mean little creatures?