Goblin Market Symbolism

"Goblin Market” is a poem by Christina Georgina Rossetti published in 1862. The poem is filled with symbolism. It is a depiction about two sisters, one of whom gets sick after eating bad goblin fruit, and is healed due to, her sister 's bravery. Originally, it was intended as a “fairy work” depicting female heroism and sisterhood, however, the work also objectifies womanhood in the era. Simultaneously, "Goblin Market" is a caustic criticism of the marriage market during the Victorian period. Some of the other aspects seen in the poem are observation on capitalism, a feminist veneration of "sisterhood," and a depiction of temptation and redemption. Through "Goblin Market", Christina Rossetti webs a tale of two innocent sisters and their interactions

From the beginning of the poem, it is established that only women are able to hear the goblins cry, as if the goblins are not a threat to men or as if men are completely absent. In addition to this, Rossetti, only mention the “maidens”, implying that only unmarried women are able to here the crying of the goblins, again, as if the married women do not experience the threat of the song, that is temptation. The goblins invite the women to see the goods they are offering: “Come buy our orchard fruit/Come buy, come buy” The tone of the goblins from the very beginning of their call, is pressuring and at the same time cheerful. The fact though that they repeat their call, “come buy”, three times also generates the thought that this repetitive phrase can become annoying after a while, something that might be known by the goblins. Therefore, the goblins by being annoying and pressuring with their words, draw the attention of the maidens. The description of the fruits that the goblins sell, is extensively detailed and described as luscious and succulent: “Apples and quinces/ Lemons and oranges/ Plump unpeck’d cherries/ Melons and raspberries/ Bloom-down-cheek’d peaches/ Swart-headed