Moreover, the author indicated overindulgence in sexual activities. Women were required to pay for the services, as Laura argues that she does not have a coin and pays through her golden lock. The author also illustrated male prostitution where men are in the town sold fruits which earned the poem its name ‘goblin market,’ where sexual services were exchanged (Rossetti 186). Furthermore, the above-stated action portrays female sexuality as insatiable ‘Laura sucked until her lips were sore. For instance, when Laura ‘sucked and sucked the fruit’, it indicates sexual activity between her and a man (Rossetti 186).

Goblin was a heterosexual community with many relationships happening between men and women. The writer used the fruit as a symbol of male genitalia. Sexuality is visible throughout the poem it is majorly about sexual expressions, actions, and consequences. The poem illustrated a story written by a woman to empower women and to show that women can possess power just like men in a time and place where females were not seen as equals to males. Rossetti depicted the women as beautiful who were not the temptresses, not looking to be saved by men, but they were the protagonist (Zhang and Mianmian 186). She later saved her sister, who had fallen for the temptation.Īdditionally, the writer mentioned the forbidden fruit connected to Adam and Eve in the bible and illustrated gender role reversal. The author portrayed her as strong and a hero in the (Gupta, 25).

The poem also showed the strength of a woman when Lizzie resisted the fruits of the goblin men. The story was written in the 18 th century when it was unheard of for men to be in the streets offering sexual services (Gupta, 24). The verse reveals power reversal, where women decide whether they want to lay with the man. Feminism is pictured throughout the poem in a normal society, women tempt men sexually, while in this poem, it is the men seducing ladies.

C rossetti goblin market