Comparing Goblin Market And Eve In The Garden Of Eden
Goblin Market
Goblin Market is the story of two sisters, Laura and Lizzie, who return to their childhood nursery after many years' absence. Dressed in deep mourning and surrounded by piles of old toys and books, a rocking horse and a doll's house, they both discover and invent the world of their adolescence from an adult perspective. Similar to Eve in the Garden of Eden, this poem illustrates how woman of the Victorian era were drawn to temptation. This poem also examines the sexuality and eroticism faced by both men and women during this time period. Lines 32 to 66 mainly discuss how Laura's impulsive attitude is drawn to these goblin men and how Lizzie, the more timid of the two sisters, is trying to protect her and steer her away …show more content…
These men have everything prepared in such a way, that a young naïve woman is bound to turn and see what exactly these men have to offer. This enticement allures Laura to do exactly that and she is poisoned. Rather than having a regular dish, these goblin men have a golden dish which is another way for these goblin men to attract Laura. Line 61 shows that these are not ordinary grapes, but grapes that are so "luscious" and sweet. Lizzie replies "No, no, no, their offers should not charm us, Their evil gifts would harm us" (64-66). Again, Lizzie is telling Laura that these goblin men are putting on a show to tempt you to come to them and that the fruit and golden dishes will only hurt you. Line 66 is interesting because, even though their fruit is referred to as "gifts," they really are the total opposite. First off, Laura gives a lock of her hair in order to get the fruit and in the end, these "gifts" only hurt her. Usually, a gift is associated with something that is given out of personal pleasure and sincerity, however in this case it is given to do harm. These six lines show that these goblin men have planned this "alluring" method before hand and have carefully chosen items that will draw attention to them. On a social/historical level, Goblin Market is about women's encounter with the male-dominated marketplace and their different accommodations to it. Lizzie, Laura, and Jeanie represent young country and village women. This poem also expresses one of the most vivid nightmares of female violation in the marketplace and a fantasy of the redemptive powers and pleasures of sisterly love. This poem does an excellent job illustrating the temptations and dangers woman and men faced during this Victorian time
Goblin Market is the story of two sisters, Laura and Lizzie, who return to their childhood nursery after many years' absence. Dressed in deep mourning and surrounded by piles of old toys and books, a rocking horse and a doll's house, they both discover and invent the world of their adolescence from an adult perspective. Similar to Eve in the Garden of Eden, this poem illustrates how woman of the Victorian era were drawn to temptation. This poem also examines the sexuality and eroticism faced by both men and women during this time period. Lines 32 to 66 mainly discuss how Laura's impulsive attitude is drawn to these goblin men and how Lizzie, the more timid of the two sisters, is trying to protect her and steer her away …show more content…
These men have everything prepared in such a way, that a young naïve woman is bound to turn and see what exactly these men have to offer. This enticement allures Laura to do exactly that and she is poisoned. Rather than having a regular dish, these goblin men have a golden dish which is another way for these goblin men to attract Laura. Line 61 shows that these are not ordinary grapes, but grapes that are so "luscious" and sweet. Lizzie replies "No, no, no, their offers should not charm us, Their evil gifts would harm us" (64-66). Again, Lizzie is telling Laura that these goblin men are putting on a show to tempt you to come to them and that the fruit and golden dishes will only hurt you. Line 66 is interesting because, even though their fruit is referred to as "gifts," they really are the total opposite. First off, Laura gives a lock of her hair in order to get the fruit and in the end, these "gifts" only hurt her. Usually, a gift is associated with something that is given out of personal pleasure and sincerity, however in this case it is given to do harm. These six lines show that these goblin men have planned this "alluring" method before hand and have carefully chosen items that will draw attention to them. On a social/historical level, Goblin Market is about women's encounter with the male-dominated marketplace and their different accommodations to it. Lizzie, Laura, and Jeanie represent young country and village women. This poem also expresses one of the most vivid nightmares of female violation in the marketplace and a fantasy of the redemptive powers and pleasures of sisterly love. This poem does an excellent job illustrating the temptations and dangers woman and men faced during this Victorian time