Critics of Christina Rossetti

A brief synopsis and critical analysis of Christina Rossetti's 'Goblin Market'

Source 

Author: Kathryn Dorothy

In this critical analysis of Rossetti's 'Goblin Market', Dorothy explores the nature and themes presented in the poem, as well as its allegoric nature.

Dorothy approaches the poem from a slightly controversial angle, choosing to focus more on the latent sexual imagery, as opposed to the more 'safe' standpoint of allegory or religious imagery. Dorothy is very concentrated on the sexual nature of the poem, choosing to cite it's eroticism as deliberate, a juxtaposition to the claims made by Rossetti's brother, and editor, William Michael that the poem contains no explicitly intended 'profound' imagery. Dorothy also discusses the song-like form of the poem that is displayed on occasion. Another theme singled out by Dorothy is the concept of sisterhood and family relationships in general. On the flip-side of the sexual imagery, Dorothy highlights the presence of purity in the girls, and the effects of contact with men/marriage on them.

To me, the analysis presented is relatively sound. The points made are completely valid, and are backed up with a substantial wealth of evidence, sourced from both the poem itself and the life and upbringing of Rossetti. While upon my first reading of this poem, I concentrated on the allegory and religious imagery within the poem, after reviewing the analysis presented I am know convinced of the alternative nature of this poem. 

Dorothy states that, despite the claims of innocence made by her brother, "That Rossetti could have been unaware of the intense sexual imagery of 'Goblin Market' seems unlikely" This is a well supported statement, considering the wealth of eroticism that can be found within the poem. However, even though Dorothy considers the poem sexual in nature, she does concede that Rossetti more than likely intended the poem to be purely religious in its suggestiveness. She says: "It is far more feasible to see her apparent obsession with certain images in the poem as suggestive of a more religious interpretation," then going to explain: "one in which the goblins may be seen as maliciously evil creatures who have set out to beguile - and then seduce - the two girls." This seems to be a fairly valid and well-supported claim that makes sense in both the context of the poem and of Rossetti's life in general.