Interpretation - Redemption.

Today's English Literature lesson was based on/around interpretation. The text in which we were interpreting was 'The Goblin Market' by Christina Rossetti. There were five categories for interpretation, these were: 

- Erotic

- Feminist

- Marxist

- Redemptive

- Moral

The category I received was redemptive. Redemptive can be defined in several ways, one was the act of being redeemed and another definition was the act of saving someone from error or evil. Both these definitions seem very apt for the poem 'The Goblin Market.'

At first, the main guess about redemptive/redemption in the 'Goblin Market' was Lizzie forgiving Laura for being tempted by the Goblin Men and their fruit and for leaving her and therefore Laura trying to redeem herself.

Which additionally led to the question/idea, what does she need to be redeemed for? The first thought that came to mind was the fact that she needed to be redeemed for giving into temptation and becoming hooked on the Goblin Men's fruit but, with further analysis, it was found that Laura was being redeemed for leaving/deserting her sister. 

As my group and I continued we started considering the moment of redemption in the poem. We found several point which show the character of Laura trying to redeem herself and of Lizzie being redemptive. For example, one of the points we believed to be about the moment of redemption was, 

'Is it death or is it life?'

This question appears to be a point of redemption because it is suggesting several theories. One is that it suggests that the death of her bad self, the one full of sin and temptation has died and she's left it behind to begin a new life, one that is rid of sin and without redemption. 

This theory is backed up by the lines,

'laughed in the innocent old way' and 'life out of death' 

This therefore suggests that the character Laura is her normal self again and shows that she has been redeemed and saved, as well as suggesting that her sinful tempted self must die to allow for her old, sinless self to be reborn. 

Furthermore, the inclusion of the final verse is quite important. The poet could have finished the poem on the line, 'And light danced on her eyes.' as it suggests that Laura has been redeemed and is herself, yet Christina Rossetti chose to include the final verse. 

This could be because of many reasons, but the final verse is useful as it hints and shows that Laura has avoided falling back into a sinful life and has avoided temptation - despite still being slightly addicted and yearning at times - because of her family.

'for there is no friend like a sister' 

This line suggests that she is grateful to her sister for saving her and letting her be able to have her family because without her she would have been nothing. It also shows how sorry the character still is and that she doesn't believe she, herself, has been fully redeemed and is not at one with herself. 

Now, onto the idea of Lizzie being redemptive. One of the definition I found of redemptive was the act of saving someone from evil or error. This definition of redemptive seems perfect to Lizzie as she basically gives her self up to help save her sister (also a link to religion, Jesus sacrificed himself etc.)

And that is about it, hopefully that is along the right track.