Discuss the surface as well as the deeper meaning of the poem ‘Goblin Market’.

 "Goblin Market" is a poem by Christina Rossetti, a prominent Victorian poet known for her exploration of themes such as love, temptation, and spirituality. "Goblin Market" is one of her most famous and complex works, featuring a narrative structure and rich symbolism that lend themselves to both surface and deeper interpretations. Here, we will delve into both aspects of the poem to unravel its many layers of meaning.

Surface Meaning:

Plot Summary: "Goblin Market" tells the story of two sisters, Laura and Lizzie, who live in a pastoral village. They are warned by the villagers to avoid the goblin men who come to the glen each evening to sell tempting and exotic fruits. These goblin fruits have a supernatural allure, and their sellers, the goblin men, are portrayed as seductive and sinister figures. However, Laura is unable to resist their temptation and exchanges a lock of her hair for fruit. After consuming the fruit, she becomes infatuated with it and craves more, despite its ill effects on her health.

Laura's addiction to the fruit leads to her physical and spiritual decline. She withers away, and her beauty fades. Lizzie, worried for her sister, decides to confront the goblin men to purchase more fruit to save Laura. However, the goblin men refuse to sell to Lizzie and try to force-feed her the fruit. Lizzie's strong sense of sisterly love and purity protects her from their advances. She returns home with the fruit's juices on her face and entices Laura to drink them. Laura's healing is attributed to Lizzie's selflessness and purity.

Themes and Surface Analysis:

1. Temptation and Sin: The poem's surface meaning revolves around the theme of temptation and sin. The goblin fruits represent forbidden pleasures and indulgences that lead to moral and physical degradation. Laura's initial fall and Lizzie's refusal to succumb to temptation demonstrate the consequences of yielding to sinful desires.
2. Sisterhood: The bond between Laura and Lizzie is another prominent theme on the surface. Lizzie's selfless determination to save her sister highlights the strength of sisterly love and the willingness to make sacrifices for family.
3. The Supernatural: The goblin men and their fruits have a supernatural quality, suggesting that the poem's events occur in a realm beyond the ordinary. This supernatural element adds an air of mystery and danger to the narrative.
4. Sexual Imagery: The poem contains subtle sexual imagery, particularly in its description of the goblin men and their tempting wares. The sensuous and seductive language used to describe the fruits and the goblin men adds an erotic undertone to the poem.
5. Feminine Vulnerability: The poem highlights the vulnerability of women, especially when it comes to societal expectations and external temptations. Laura's descent into illness and degradation can be seen as a commentary on the dangers women faced in a patriarchal society.

Deeper Meaning:

Religious Allegory: While "Goblin Market" can be appreciated on a surface level for its narrative and themes, it also invites deeper interpretations. One of the most prominent interpretations is that the poem is a religious allegory, drawing parallels between its events and Christian theology.

1. The Fall of Man: Laura's initial temptation and fall mirror the biblical story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The goblin fruits symbolize the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, and Laura's succumbing to their allure represents the original sin.
2. Redemption and Salvation: Lizzie's selfless act of confronting the goblin men and enduring their abuse can be seen as a Christ-like figure who sacrifices herself for the redemption and salvation of another. The fruit's juice on Lizzie's face has connotations of the Eucharist, a Christian sacrament.
3. Sisterhood as a Divine Bond: The bond between Laura and Lizzie can be interpreted as a representation of divine love and selflessness. Lizzie's unwavering commitment to saving her sister echoes the Christian concept of sacrificial love.
4. Purity and Temptation: Lizzie's purity and resistance to temptation can be seen as a symbol of moral strength and righteousness. Her refusal to yield to the goblin men's advances aligns with the Christian virtue of resisting sin.

Social Commentary: Beyond its religious allegory, "Goblin Market" also offers social commentary on several issues prevalent in the Victorian era:

1. Female Agency: The poem explores the limitations and challenges faced by women in a patriarchal society. Laura's vulnerability to the goblin men's temptation can be seen as a reflection of the limited agency women had in matters of desire and temptation.
2. Economic and Social Disparities: The goblin men are portrayed as unscrupulous merchants who exploit the desires of others for profit. This can be interpreted as a critique of economic and social disparities in Victorian society.
3. Addiction and Vice: Laura's descent into addiction and degradation serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of vice and indulgence. This theme resonates with Victorian concerns about moral degeneration in society.

Feminist Interpretation: From a feminist perspective, "Goblin Market" can be seen as a commentary on female desire and sexuality. Laura's longing for the goblin fruits can be interpreted as a metaphor for suppressed female desires in Victorian society. The poem raises questions about the consequences of repressed sexuality and the societal expectations placed on women.

Conclusion: Christina Rossetti's "Goblin Market" is a multi-layered poem that offers both surface and deeper meanings. On the surface, it tells the story of temptation, sisterly love, and the supernatural. However, deeper analysis reveals religious allegory, social commentary, and feminist themes. The poem's richness lies in its ability to be interpreted on multiple levels, inviting readers to explore its complex themes and symbolism. Ultimately, "Goblin Market" remains a timeless work that continues to resonate with readers and scholars alike.

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