Comprehensive Study Notes on Christina Rossetti's Goblin Market and No Thank You, John

Folklore Background and Cultural Context

  • The poem is rooted in deep-seated European and international folklore regarding the "Fair Folk" and supernatural beings. Notable variations and terminologies for these entities include:
    • Fay/Fey
    • The Fair Folk
    • Anjana
    • Sídh(e) or Aos Sí
    • Huldufólk
    • Tylwyth Teg
  • Traditional folklore provides specific warnings regarding interactions with these beings:
    • Young girls are often depicted pining to death after hearing a fairy’s song.
    • The folktale titled "The Fairy Dance" offers a direct warning: ‐Eat no food, and drink no wine, or you will never reach your home again.‐

Historical Context: The Fallen Woman and Industrialization

  • The archetype of the ‐Fallen Woman‐ (typically referring to former sex workers) served as a major political symbol and literary trope during the Victorian era.
  • Christina Rossetti uses "Goblin Market" to re-produce this dynamic, illustrating how women might metaphorically ‐carry the stigma‐ after interaction with predatory forces (represented by the Goblins).
  • Significant aspects of Rossetti's treatment of this archetype include:
    • Rossetti chooses not to shame her female characters.
    • She depicts women as active participants in their own fates rather than mere passive victims.
    • The line "They get what they want from her" reflects the exploitative nature of these societal or supernatural interactions.
  • The poem is also framed by the historical context of industrialization and the rise of unregulated food markets, which created anxieties about consumption and the purity of goods.

Character and Thematic Analysis of "The Goblin Market"

  • Character Analysis of Lizzie:
    • Lizzie is characterized as possessing ‐Feminine Morality.‐
    • Critically, she subverts Victorian expectations by lacking the ‐frailty and susceptibility‐ usually attributed to women in this trope.
    • Her strength is demonstrated by her refusal to ever give in to the goblins' demands.
  • The Nature of Love versus Exploitation:
    • Rossetti posits that genuine love requires specificity.
    • In contrast, exploitation is shown to use anyone and ultimately leads to the distortion of natural and social order.
    • This theme is a direct commentary on the exploitation of sex workers by men.
  • Love as Sacrifice:
    • The definition of true love in the poem is rooted in sacrifice.
    • Lizzie demonstrates this by transforming into a figure of bravery to win back Laura’s health.

Primary Themes in "The Goblin Market"

  • Morality: Sin, Temptation, and Redemption:
    • The narrative follows the progression of falling into temptation (Laura), the consequences of that sin, and the eventual redemption provided through another's action.
  • The Nature of Choice and Self-Determination:
    • Explores the agency women have in making choices, even when those choices lead to danger, and the power required to choose a different path.
  • The Importance of Female Community:
    • The poem emphasizes the bond between sisters and women as a saving grace against external threats.
  • Xenophobia and Fear of the Other:
    • Represented by the Goblins, there is an underlying theme of fearing that which is foreign, non-human, or fundamentally ‐Other.‐

Significant Symbols and Motifs

  • Goblins: Represent the predatory ‐Other,‐ male temptation, and the merchant class of the industrial market.
  • Hair: A symbol of youth, purity, and currency. (Laura pays for the fruit with a lock of her golden hair).
  • Fruit: Represents the dangerous allure of forbidden knowledge or sensual pleasure; it is the catalyst for the "pining" mentioned in folklore.

Analysis of "No Thank You, John"

  • This poem serves as a counterpart to "The Goblin Market," focusing on different aspects of female agency and social interaction.
  • Key Themes:
    • Emotional Autonomy: The speaker's right to control her own feelings and refuse romantic advances.
    • Subversion of Gender Dynamics: Reverses the typical Victorian pursuit narrative by having the woman firmly set the boundaries.
    • Integrity Versus Deceit: The importance of being honest and direct about one’s lack of romantic interest, rather than entertaining false hopes.
    • The Value of Friendship: The poem suggests that platonic friendship is a valid and valuable relationship, distinct from and not necessarily leading to romance.