Goblin Market

"Their offers should not charm us, 
Their evil gifts would harm us.” 
She thrust a dimpled finger 
In each ear, shut eyes and ran: 
Curious Laura chose to linger 
Wondering at each merchant man. "


"One may lead a horse to water, 
Twenty cannot make him drink. 
Though the goblins cuff’d and caught her, 
Coax’d and fought her, 
Bullied and besought her, 
Scratch’d her, pinch’d her black as ink, 
Kick’d and knock’d her, 
Maul’d and mock’d her, 
Lizzie utter’d not a word; 
Would not open lip from lip 
Lest they should cram a mouthful in"

Word Count: 250

    Overall, both of these quotes revolve around the allegory of the entire poem. Within the first quote, I believe that the hidden meaning is that of the temptation and desire women had during the time for men who would win them over with their charm. In the first quote, Laura is drawn in by the temptation of the offers of the goblins. However, Lizzie knows better and tries to warn Laura of the evil in the things the goblins say and do. The temptation ends up drawing Laura in to the goblins and she suffers at their expense. When Lizzie attempts to go back and attempt to save Laura, she expresses how she is able to avoid the temptation. Lizzie's avoidance of temptation is seen in the second quote in which readers see how aggressively the goblins tried to get her to cave to their temptation. The goblins degrade and put Lizzie down as they try to make her open up to their evil. It is difficult to understand and is almost open to one's own interpretation but it appears as though the goblins are the men of society who want vulnerable women to give in to the temptation of sex that would in turn lead to a woman's shame if she gave in such as how Laura's fate appeared. Lizzie's characterization is that of a strong woman who is almost raped by the goblins but she avoids the temptation of letting herself go and giving in to their charm.

Comments

  1. Krystina TannerFebruary 23, 2021 at 11:26 AM

    I really like the first quote you choose because I feel as though she's telling herself for confirmation that all their tricks and charms should not get to her and she even hides herself to try and not give into the temptation of the goblin men at the market. I also agree with you on how during this time temptation for women put them in really tricky situations, but even in today's world women and men are often tempted to do certain things and for someone to fight back the urge of temptation proves how strong someone really is.

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  2. Samantha RossanoMarch 1, 2021 at 4:48 PM

    As young girls who seem to not have any guidance it must’ve been hard for them to fully understand why the goblins are so bad for them and not know how to curb the temptation; they don’t know any better. Lizzie does seem to have a better head on her shoulders than Laura. She tries her best to protect herself and her sister, but it becomes to overwhelming and Laura is obviously very curious of the fruits and goblins. I also believe the goblins in this poem represent the men of society and how they are trying to take the girls innocence by making them their wives. Lizzie is very strong at avoiding the temptation and is a great representation of an independent woman during this era.

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