Introduction
Even in a children’s book, the reader can identify deeply philosophical topics for oneself, so Christina Rossetti’s poem Goblin Market (1862) under the guise of a fairy tale contains deep ideas. The first theme seems more superficial since the reader can notice it even with a shallow reading. The author draws an allegory for temptation and redemption when Lizzie rescues her sister, who has succumbed to curiosity and put herself in danger (Rossetti). The poem’s main idea, considering the questions of temptation and forbidden fruit, is childishly expressed by the author, highlighting the significance of the willingness not to overthink and the desire not to hide sincere feelings.
Discussion
Christina Rossetti did an excellent job demonstrating how talented one can use language as a tool. Throughout the entire work, the author changes the tactics of writing a letter in order to show not only the atmosphere but also the mood and even display the inner world of the characters. Rossetti individualizes the images of the sisters and conveys this with the help of parallel anaphoric constructions: “One content, one sick in heart, / One warbling for the mere bright day’s delight, / One longing for the night…”; “Lizzie most placid in her look, / Laura most like a leaping flame” (Rossetti, 212-214). They are different, and although the author does not declaratively state this, it is deeply artistically motivated. It is important to note that Laura is dreamy and easily lends herself to the fantastic, fabulous, and unusual. The choice of different kinds of expressive means in the poem is important for creating the image of the two worlds of the sisters. Both sisters hear the calls of the goblins, but only Laura, who most likely was not as satisfied with reality as her sister, seeks to return to them.
Conclusion
Thanks to this realization, the reader can come to a deeper idea hidden in the poem: once having escaped reality, which seemed boring to her, Laura will look for any reason to return, and the lack of opportunity will kill her. The author says it almost kills the girl: “Day after day, night after night, / Laura kept watch in vain/ In sullen silence of exceeding pain.” (Rossetti, 269-271). Thus, with a deeper and more detailed reading, one can find even more hidden but no less interesting ideas in the poem.
Work Cited
Rossetti, Christina. “Goblin Market.” Poetry Foundation, 1862, Web.