More (make that a lot more) Goblin Market observations

  In the last post, I mentioned four other categories the interpretations of Goblin Market could fall into. In my opinion, it can most largely be interpreted as religious since, as I have mentioned on at least three other blog posts, Rosetti was deeply religious. Allusions to biblical tales can be found at every turn. For example, the 'forbidden fruit' that Laura consumes can be compared to the apple that Eve eats in Genesis. Additionally, the sacrifice Lizzie makes to save her sister can be linked to the crucifixion of Christ. I say this because Lizzie allows herself to be hurt and tortured in order to save Laura, just as Jesus allowed his tortuous death to save the sins of others.
  Feminism is another ever present part of the poem. Notice that we see the main characters are females and their antagonisers are males of the most grotesque nature, the latter could be symbolic of men in general. By the end of the poem, we see the girls triumphing over the goblin men too. The goblin men are rrepresented as monsters who only want to sow their fruits among women, a possible allusion to sex and impregnation. Also, they are portrayed as violent when they beat up Lizzie, implying that men damage women. When Lizzie refuses to 'part her lips', it can be seen as a sign of female resistance. Another thing to notice is that even in the end no males -fathers -are mentioned.    
   Themes of redemption and morality stand tall in this poem. It is presented like a folktale for children, which usually have some kind of moral at the end of them. A bad action takes place and terrible consequences ensue, but eventually all is saved by an ultimate act of redemption that regains her lost 'innocence'. Laura is forgiven and finds the right path again, changing for the better. you could say the moral here is it is never too late to redeem yourself or that there 'no friend like a sister' as the last line preaches.
   Though I am not entirely convinced the elements of an erotic nature are a big part of the poem, I cannot deny that they are present. For instance, the phrase 'unpecked cherries' can be hinting at virginity and the selling of the 'golden curl' for fruits could be symbolic of prostitution. Laura describes the fruits as such that she had 'never tasted before' -perhaps like losing her virginity. Another prominent example that certain members of the class were fascinated by, was the sexual innuendo presented by the lines 'she sucked and sucked and sucked', referring to Laura as she sucked the fruit globes.