'The Goblin Market' Interpretations - Erotic, Feminist, Marxist and Moral.

A few lessons ago, my class and I looked at several other interpretations of 'The Goblin Market.' I briefly mentioned the four other interpretations in my last blog, but I didn't go into any further detail as I was more focused upon redemption. However, in this blog I'm going to write a little bit about the other interpretations.

Erotic
It is said that Christina Rossetti meant for the poem 'The Goblin Market' to be for children, however, it appears the poem seems to contain many aspects of eroticism, even from the very start. Christina Rossetti's use of fruit can be perceived as erotic, especially 'unpecked cherries' which could symbolise a woman's virginity or temptation. Furthermore, line 126 'cutting her golden locks' appears to be symbolising prostitution as the character is selling part of herself, additionally the form of cutting could also represent the character cutting her chastity belt.

Another link to the theme of eroticism is through the symbolisation of rape. The way in which Rossetti describes how the Goblin Men 'held her hands and squeezed their fruits' creates the illusion of force and violence and therefore appears to be symbolic about rape. However, as mentioned earlier, despite the links to eroticism, the fact that the poem was intentionally for children appears to counter argue that the poem is erotic as it would be inappropriate.

Feminist
Another way in which 'The Goblin Market' can be interpreted as is a feminist poem - personally I feel this is the strongest of all the interpretations I've studied. The theme of feminism is presented by the extremities of the opposing sexes. Laura and Lizzie are the only female characters presented to the reader in the poem, as are the Goblin Men the only males. Rossetti's use of  the Goblin Men and Laura and Lizzie being the only characters to represent  males and females could be so the reader can't compare the characters and therefore means that they are symbolic of their sexes, (therefore men are seen as violent and harsh through the representation of the Goblin Men whereas women are presented and seen as pure and regal due to the description of Laura and Lizzie.)

Furthermore, the poem suggests a complete intimacy between the two women. This could be perceived as a feminist theme as it presents the idea that women have a relationship and a bond that can never be broken, not even by men and/or their temptation. It also suggests that the relationship between men and women is entirely different.

Finally, Rossetti's describes the Goblin Men as vicious and evil through likening them to animals, 'whisked a tail' whereas Laura and Lizzie are portrayed as beautiful and angelic, 'golden hair' etc.

However, the idea of feminism can be counter argued, the line 'men sell not such in any town' undermines the whole argument , as it suggests that the men aren't real and therefore the women are not vulnerable or strong but foolish.

Marxist
The weakest interpretation in my opinion was the theme of Marxist. Marxist means consumerism and greed, this theme is presented through the Goblin Men and their determination to sell fruit. Rossetti's use of the Goblin Men could be used to symbolise business men, 'sly brother with sly brother' and therefore suggests the idea of trickery.

Additionally, the theme of marxist is presented through Laura 'cutting' a golden lock as she is selling herself. This presents the idea of consumerism and greed, as Laura isn't satisfied with what she has, she wants and craves more.

However, 'The Goblin Market' may not be marxist after all as the Goblin Men refuse the offer of money at one point.

Moral

The final and last interpretation is morality. Unlike many poems, 'The Goblin Market' seems to present many different morals. One of the strongest morals throughout the poem is consequences. Rossetti first describes Laura as angelic and beautiful with 'gleaming neck' and 'golden hair' but after she has fallen to the temptation of the Goblin Men, her appearance is more depressed and vulnerable. It also suggests that her beauty is gone, as her mouth is 'faded' and her hair 'greying' and therefore suggests that there is consequences fore every action you take, some worse than others - such as prostitution. This moral also suggests that consequences don't just affect you but other people, this is presented through Lizzie sacrificing herself to save her sister.

Another moral which is present throughout the poem is hypocrisy. Once more, this moral is presented through the character Laura. When the Goblin Men are first mentioned in the poem, Laura is the character that warns her sister Lizzie and the reader of the Goblin Men and their temptation, yet she is the character who succumbs to their temptation.

I know the final interpretation is brief but hopefully everything is along the right tracks.