Despite this, the appeal of the forbidden draws Laura to literally give up a part of herself to receive the “sweet fruits” of the Goblins. The two main characters of the poem have been warned against perusing a forbidden act with these “men”, particularly because of their foreign descent. In this context I take fruit to be associated with copulation. Laura falls prey to the tempting songs of the Goblins and seeks to buy their fruit. Yet it seems as though all of the women in the poem lust after something that the Goblins possess.

“One had a cat’s face / One whisked a tail…” (p 3). Immediately we are presented odd tale, but how does it translate to more sexual connotations?įirstly, it is worth mentioning that the Goblins are all men, and not outwardly appealing at that. These goblins possess fruits of great temptation for Laura. This poem presents sisters Laura and Lizzie who have been warned to stay away from the Goblins who sell fruits. This is particularly apparent in one of her longer works, The Goblin Market.

There are numerous instances of sexuality portrayed in Christina Rossetti’s poems.

Ryan Banning on Jonathan’s Conflicting Thoughts.

Ryan Banning on Monstrous Protagonists: Victorian Fears Related to “Cultural Guilt”.

Nyx on The Morose Reality of the Feminine.

Nyx on “It is the East and Lucy is the Sun”.

Grab “The World” by Her Horns November 13, 2021.

Monstrous Protagonists: Victorian Fears Related to “Cultural Guilt” November 14, 2021.

Goblin Market – Sexual Temptation November 15, 2021.The Scarlet L̶e̶t̶t̶e̶r̶ Wafer Scar November 15, 2021.Imperialism, Power, and Dracula November 15, 2021.The Patriarchy Strikes Again November 15, 2021.Mirror, Mirror On the Wall, Show Me My Narrative Foil November 15, 2021.Temptation at the Goblin Market November 15, 2021.Watch out for the Sexually Liberated November 15, 2021.Would you please take a hint John November 15, 2021.Pilgrims in an Unholy Land November 15, 2021.Who Invited Dracula Into My Good Christian Marriage? November 15, 2021.Was Lucy killed or raped? November 15, 2021.Mina’s Drastic Change November 16, 2021.An (ill)Legitimate Take on Harker’s Paternity November 16, 2021.Forbidden Fruit: The Sweetest of Them All November 16, 2021.Fashion, Color, and Love November 16, 2021.The Morose Reality of the Feminine November 16, 2021.My love life is still good, but only when I’m dreaming November 16, 2021.Red, White & “Femine” Blue November 18, 2021.Xenophobia in “The Goblin Market” December 9, 2021.Men not understanding no= issue for centuries December 9, 2021.Sir Michael’s Marriage December 10, 2021.Supression and release December 10, 2021.The duality of monstrous women in Lady Audley’s Secret December 10, 2021.

The Branding of Women December 10, 2021.

Goblin market poem