Goblin Market Overview

Goblin Market

• Two sisters, Laura and Lizzie, live in a cottage near a glen inhabited by goblins.
• The goblins sell fruit, which is described in decadent detail, such as "plump unpeck'd cherries," "bloom-down-cheek’d peaches," and "sweet to tongue and sound to eye."
• Laura is enticed by the goblins' fruit and their alluring cries of "Come buy, come buy," while Lizzie tries to warn her of the danger.
• Laura succumbs to temptation and exchanges a lock of her golden hair for the forbidden fruit.
• She finds the fruit incredibly delicious but quickly becomes addicted, craving more.
• Lizzie tries to protect her sister from the goblins' allure, but Laura keeps returning to the glen, despite Lizzie's warnings.
• Laura's obsession with the fruit slowly consumes her, causing her to grow pale and weak.
• Lizzie, witnessing her sister's deterioration, decides to confront the goblins herself.
• The goblins aggressively try to entice Lizzie with their fruit but she refuses, holding onto her silver penny.
• Lizzie's refusal and resistance make the goblins angry, and they physically attack her.
• Lizzie endures the abuse, refusing to give in to their demands.
• The goblins, frustrated by her resilience, finally relent and return her penny, leaving the glen in a flurry of anger.
• Lizzie returns home with fruit for Laura, a selfless act of love and sacrifice.
• Laura consumes the fruit and is immediately overcome by its powerful influence, realizing her folly and the dangers of the goblins' enticements.
• Laura suffers greatly, but eventually recovers thanks to Lizzie's selfless sacrifice.
• The sisters learn the importance of sisterly love, and the dangers of unchecked desires.
• Laura's experience becomes a lesson for future generations, emphasizing the fragility of life and the strength of sisterly love.

Themes

• Temptation and Desire: The text explores the power of temptation and desire, highlighting the dangers of unchecked indulgence.
• Sisterly Love: The sisters’ relationship exemplifies the deep bond of sisterly love, showcasing how one sister sacrifices for the other, highlighting the strength and healing power of true love.
• Moral Choices: The poem underscores the consequences of moral choices, showcasing the dangers of succumbing to temptations and the importance of resisting them for the greater good.
• Nature and the Supernatural: Goblin Market blends elements of nature with the supernatural, creating a magical, yet cautionary ambiance.
• Social Concerns: The poem addresses social issues like temptation, societal expectations, and female agency within a patriarchal society.

The Goblin Market

• The poem tells the story of two sisters, Laura and Lizzie, who live in a rural setting.
• The sisters encounter goblin men who sell magical fruit in the nearby glen.
• Laura is tempted by the fruit and purchases some with a lock of her golden hair.
• Laura is transported to a realm of intense sensory pleasure through the goblin fruit, but it comes at a cost.
• Laura's body depletes and she begins to waste away.
• Lizzie sees the dangers of the fruit and refuses the goblin men's offer of a golden penny.
• Lizzie faces violence and pressure from the goblin men while resisting their temptation.
• Lizzie buys the fruit for Laura, but is physically harmed by the goblin men.
• Laura experiences a rejuvenation after consuming the fruit bought for her by Lizzie.
• Laura returns to her former state of health and vibrancy.
• Laura narrates her harrowing experience to her own children, highlighting the importance of sisterly love.
• The poem explores themes of temptation, desire, sacrifice, and the enduring bond of sisterhood.

Goblin Men

• The goblin men are described as sinister figures with animalistic features who inhabit the glen.
• Their appearance evokes a sense of otherworldly strangeness and danger.
• They are skilled merchants and manipulators, peddling fruit that offers forbidden pleasure.
• Their motive is unclear, but their behavior toward Laura suggests a desire for control and exploitation.

The Fruit

• The fruit's alluring qualities are described in vivid detail, enticing the senses with its sweetness, fragrance, and color.
• The fruit's origin is shrouded in mystery, adding to its mystique.
• The fruit offers a temporary escape from reality, but it comes at a heavy price.
• The fruit's true properties are deceptive, offering addictive pleasure followed by suffering and decay.

Sisterhood

• The sisters, Laura and Lizzie, embody contrasting traits.
• Laura is impulsive and driven by desire, leading to her downfall.
• Lizzie is cautious and self-sacrificing, embodying the power of resilience and love.
• The sisters’ relationship undergoes a significant transformation.
• Despite their individual flaws, their bond ultimately saves Laura.
• The poem highlights the importance of sisters understanding, protection, and loyalty.