The
Goblin Market Summary Line by Line
The Goblin Market Summary Line by Line Christina Rossetti's "Goblin Market" is a famous
narrative poem that explores the themes of temptation, desire, and sisterhood.
The poem follows the story of two sisters, Laura and Lizzie, who encounter
goblin merchants selling exotic fruits. While Laura succumbs to the temptation
and eats the fruits, Lizzie resists and eventually saves her sister from the
goblins' clutches. This article provides a comprehensive summary and analysis
of "Goblin Market" by Christina Rossetti.
In this section, we will introduce the poem and provide
background information on the author, Christina Rossetti.
Christina Rossetti: A
Brief Biography
Christina Rossetti (1830-1894) was a famous English poet who
is best known for her lyrical and narrative poetry. She was born in London and
grew up in a devoutly religious family. Her father was an Italian political
exile, and her mother was of English descent. Rossetti began writing poetry at
a young age, and her first poems were published when she was just 18 years old.
Rossetti's poetry is characterized by its religious themes,
symbolism, and vivid imagery. She often explored topics such as love, death,
and spiritual salvation in her poems. Her most famous works include
"Goblin Market," "In the Bleak Midwinter," and "Remember."
In addition to her poetry, The Goblin Market Summary Line by Line Rossetti was also known for her
devout religious beliefs and her active involvement in the Anglican Church. She
never married and lived with her mother and siblings for most of her life.
Despite suffering from poor health, Rossetti continued to write poetry until
her death in 1894.
Today, Rossetti is widely regarded as one of the greatest
Victorian poets and is celebrated for her contributions to English literature.
Her work has been adapted into numerous plays, musicals, and operas, and she
remains a beloved figure in the world of poetry.
Summary of
"Goblin Market"
In this section, we will provide a detailed summary of the
poem, highlighting its major themes and characters.
"The Goblin Market" is a poem by Christina Rossetti
that was first published in 1862. The poem tells the story of two sisters,
Laura and Lizzie, who hear the calls of the goblin men selling fruit in the
woods. Laura is tempted by the fruit and trades a lock of her hair for a taste,
but quickly becomes addicted and spends all her money on it.
As Laura's health declines, Lizzie decides to try and save
her sister by visiting the goblin market herself. The goblin men try to force
Lizzie to eat their fruit, but she resists and manages to collect some to bring
back to Laura. When Laura tries to eat the fruit, she finds that she is no
longer able to taste it, and her addiction is broken. The Goblin Market Summary Line by Line
"The Goblin Market" is often interpreted as a
critique of Victorian society's treatment of women and their limited
opportunities for independence. The goblin men are seen as representing the
dangers and temptations of the world, while the two sisters symbolize the
struggle for women to resist societal pressures and maintain their own agency.
The poem is also notable for its vivid and sensual imagery,
with the descriptions of the goblin men and their fruit being particularly
striking. The use of repetition and rhyme adds to the poem's musicality and
contributes to its dreamlike quality.
Overall, "The Goblin Market" is a powerful and
timeless work of poetry that continues to captivate readers with its rich
symbolism and haunting imagery.
Stanza 1
This section will analyze the first stanza of the poem,
highlighting its imagery, symbolism, and significance. In the first stanza of
"The Goblin Market," the reader is introduced to the goblin men who
cry out to the maids in the morning and evening to come buy their fruits. The
list of fruits is long and tempting, including apples, cherries, peaches,
raspberries, and more. The goblin men use persuasive language to entice the
maids to buy their fruits, emphasizing the ripe summer weather and the
freshness and sweetness of their fruits. The stanza sets the scene for the rest
of the poem and creates a sense of temptation and desire.
Stanza 2
This section will analyze the second stanza of the poem,
highlighting its imagery, symbolism, and significance. The Goblin Market Summary Line by Line
Even as the maids hear the goblin men's calls, Laura and
Lizzie, the two sisters, are drawn to the sounds and the sight of the goblin
men. Laura is particularly captivated by the sight of their fruits and desires
to taste them, while Lizzie feels a sense of foreboding and urges her sister to
come home with her. However, Laura cannot resist the temptation and trades a
lock of her golden hair for a piece of fruit. The goblin men warn her that she
will crave more and will not be able to find them again if she does not return
soon. Laura eats the fruit and finds it to be delicious, but she also feels a
sense of unease and begins to long for more. The stanza emphasizes the alluring
yet dangerous nature of the goblin men and their fruits, as well as the
conflict between Laura's desire for pleasure and Lizzie's instinct for
self-preservation.
Stanza 3
This section will analyze the third stanza of the poem,
highlighting its imagery, symbolism, and significance.
Laura becomes addicted to the goblin fruit and constantly
craves it. She wastes away and becomes sickly, and her family and friends
become worried about her. Lizzie, however, refuses to give in to the temptation
and tries to protect her sister. She hears the goblin men calling out to her as
well, but she covers her ears and sings to herself to resist their lure.
Despite her efforts, Laura continues to waste away and begs Lizzie to bring her
some of the fruit. Lizzie refuses, knowing that the goblin fruit is harmful and
will only lead to Laura's destruction. The stanza highlights the destructive
nature of addiction and the power of temptation, as well as the contrast
between Laura's weakness and Lizzie's strength.
Stanza 4
This section will analyze the fourth stanza of the poem,
highlighting its imagery, symbolism, and significance. The Goblin Market Summary Line by Line
One night, while Laura lies in bed pining for the goblin
fruit, Lizzie hears the goblin men approaching her. She realizes that they will
not leave her alone until she brings them something, so she decides to venture
out and buy some of their fruit for Laura. Lizzie encounters the goblin men,
who try to force her to eat their fruit, but she resists and buys some for
Laura. The goblin men try to prevent her from leaving with the fruit, but
Lizzie is able to escape and return to Laura. Laura eats the fruit and is
restored to health, but Lizzie becomes sick from the ordeal. The stanza
emphasizes Lizzie's bravery and selflessness in risking her own health to save
her sister, as well as the dangerous and manipulative nature of the goblin men.
Stanza 5
This section will analyze the fifth stanza of the poem,
highlighting its imagery, symbolism, and significance. The Goblin Market Summary Line by Line
After Laura is restored to health, both sisters swear to
never again listen to the calls of the goblin men. Laura is haunted by the
memory of the goblin fruit and feels remorseful for succumbing to temptation,
while Lizzie becomes stronger and more determined to resist their lure.
However, as time goes by, the memory of the goblin fruit fades and they are
able to live their lives free from the temptation and danger of the goblin
market. The stanza highlights the power of determination and the ability to
overcome temptation, as well as the importance of learning from one's mistakes.
Stanza 6
This section will analyze the sixth stanza of the poem,
highlighting its imagery, symbolism, and significance.
The poem ends with a warning to young maidens to resist the
temptation of the goblin men and their fruit, lest they become ensnared like
Laura. The speaker urges the maidens to listen to the advice of their mothers
and sisters, who will steer them away from the dangers of the goblin market.
The stanza emphasizes the moral of the story, which is to resist temptation and
to seek guidance and support from loved ones.
Themes
This section will analyze the major themes in the poem, such
as temptation, desire, and sisterhood. The Goblin Market Summary Line by Line
Temptation: The poem explores the dangerous allure of
temptation and the consequences of giving in to it. Laura's temptation to eat
the goblin fruit leads to her physical and emotional deterioration, while
Lizzie's ability to resist temptation ultimately saves her.
Sisterhood: The bond between the two sisters, Laura and
Lizzie, is a central theme in the poem. It shows the importance of sisterly
love, loyalty, and sacrifice.
Gender roles: The poem explores traditional gender roles and
the limitations placed upon women in Victorian society. The goblin men
represent male desire and temptation, while Laura and Lizzie represent the
societal expectation for women to be pure and chaste.
Redemption: The poem explores the theme of redemption through
Laura's redemption from her illness after eating the fruit and through Lizzie's
redemption from the goblin men's grasp.
Coming of age: The poem also explores the theme of coming of
age, as the sisters must navigate the dangers and temptations of adulthood.
Morality: The poem emphasizes the importance of morality and
the consequences of giving in to immoral desires. It encourages readers to
resist temptation and seek guidance from loved ones to avoid making harmful
decisions.
Capitalism: The goblin market can be interpreted as a
metaphor for capitalist society, where people are tempted to buy things they do
not need, leading to the destruction of their health and well-being.
Religion: The poem also explores religious themes,
particularly the idea of sin and redemption. The goblin men can be seen as a
representation of temptation and sin, while Lizzie's selflessness and resistance
to temptation can be seen as a representation of Christian morality. The Goblin Market Summary Line by Line
Sexuality: The poem's use of sensual imagery and the goblin
men's sexual overtones suggest that the poem may be exploring themes of
sexuality and desire, particularly female sexuality.
Power dynamics: The goblin men hold power over the sisters
through their ability to offer the forbidden fruit, and the sisters must
navigate this power dynamic in order to resist temptation and stay true to
their values.
Nature: The poem also explores the relationship between
humans and nature, particularly through the description of the natural setting
of the goblin market and the contrast between the lush fruit and the danger it
poses.
Overall, "The Goblin Market" is a complex and
multi-layered poem that explores a variety of themes and issues, including
temptation, sisterhood, gender roles, morality, and more. Its rich symbolism
and imagery continue to captivate readers and scholars today.
Literary Devices
This section will analyze the literary devices used in the
poem, such as imagery, symbolism, and metaphor.
Conclusion
The Goblin Market Summary Line by Line , In this section, we will conclude the article by summarizing
the main points and significance of the poem.
FAQs
Q.1 What is the main theme of "Goblin Market"?
The main theme of "Goblin Market" by Christina
Rossetti is temptation and its consequences. The poem explores the dangers of
succumbing to temptation and the importance of self-control and resistance. The
goblin men represent temptation and their fruit represents the forbidden pleasures
that can lead to ruin. Through the characters of Lizzie and Laura, the poem
shows the consequences of giving in to temptation versus resisting it. In
addition to temptation, the poem also explores themes of sisterhood, female
agency, and redemption.
Q.2 Who are the main characters in the poem?
The main characters in "Goblin Market" by Christina
Rossetti are two sisters, Laura and Lizzie. They are depicted as young and
innocent women who live together in a cottage in the countryside. Laura is the
more curious and impulsive sister, while Lizzie is more reserved and cautious.
The goblin men are also important characters in the poem, as they tempt the
sisters with their forbidden fruit. Other minor characters include the
villagers who gossip about Laura's illness and the fruit-seller who helps Lizzie
purchase fruit to save her sister.
Q.3 What is the significance of the goblin merchants?
The goblin merchants in "Goblin Market" by
Christina Rossetti represent temptation and the allure of forbidden pleasures.
They appear to Laura and Lizzie as strange and enticing creatures with exotic
fruits that are unlike anything they have ever seen before. The goblin men are
described as having "curling tails" and "twinkling eyes,"
which add to their otherworldly and seductive nature. The fruits they offer are
sweet and delicious, but they come with a warning: "Come buy, come buy!/
Our grapes fresh from the vine, / Pomegranates full and fine, / Dates and sharp
bullaces, / Rare pears and greengages." This warning hints at the
dangerous consequences of indulging in these forbidden fruits. The goblin
merchants, therefore, serve as a metaphor for the temptation that humans face
in everyday life, and the need for self-control and discipline to resist it.
Q.4 What literary devices are used in the poem?
Christina Rossetti employs various literary devices in
"Goblin Market" to create vivid imagery and convey complex themes.
Here are some examples:
Imagery: The poem is rich in visual and sensory imagery that
appeals to the reader's imagination. For example, the goblin men are described
as having "long hair" and "coats of green," while their
fruit is described as "luscious," "juicy," and
"sweet."
Metaphor: The goblin men and their fruit are a metaphor for
temptation and the dangers of giving in to it. The poem also uses the metaphor
of Laura's illness to represent the physical and emotional toll of succumbing
to temptation.
Symbolism: The poem is full of symbolic elements, such as the
goblin men, the fruit, and the golden curl that Lizzie gives to the goblin men.
These symbols represent larger ideas and themes, such as temptation, sin,
redemption, and sacrifice.
Q.5 Why is "Goblin Market" considered a feminist work?
Goblin Market" is considered a feminist work for several
reasons. The Goblin Market Summary Line by Line , First, the poem portrays female characters who are strong,
independent, and capable of resisting male domination. Laura and Lizzie, in
particular, are presented as powerful and courageous women who reject the
patriarchal norms of their society.
Second, the poem critiques the objectification of women by
men, particularly through the goblin merchants' attempt to entice Laura and
Lizzie with their exotic fruit. The poem suggests that women should not be
reduced to objects of male desire and that they should have agency over their
own bodies and choices.
Third, the poem challenges traditional gender roles by
depicting women who are not defined solely by their relationships with men.
Laura and Lizzie's bond is presented as central to the poem, and their love for
each other is depicted as a source of strength and support.
Fourth, the poem subverts traditional narratives of female
sexuality by presenting Laura's desire for the goblin fruit as a natural and
valid part of her identity, rather than something shameful or sinful.
Overall, "Goblin Market" can be read as a feminist
critique of patriarchy and a celebration of female strength, independence, and
solidarity.
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