This essay explores how "Goblin Market" deals with the concept of the fallen woman, personified in both Jeanie and Laura. In Victorian times, one of the virtues associated with the ideal middle- and upper-class woman, the so-called 'angel in the house', was chastity. Women who lost their virtue out of wedlock or had sexual relations with a man other than their husband were considered 'fallen woman'. For these women, finding a suitable husband was usually out of the question. They could try to find a job, and in the worst case, ended up as prostitutes. Christina Rossetti helped reintegrate fallen women into society. Nevertheless,
Rossetti probably did not think that women should have the same sexual freedom as men. Many of her works deal with innocence and temptation, and the consequences of becoming a fallen woman. In this essay, it shall be explained how Goblin Market deals with the concept of the fallen woman, personified in both Jeanie and Laura.
Table of Contents
1. The Fallen Woman in Christina Rossetti’s ‘Goblin Market’
2. List of References
Objectives and Themes
This essay explores the representation of the "fallen woman" in Christina Rossetti’s narrative poem "Goblin Market," analyzing how the characters Jeanie and Laura embody Victorian anxieties regarding female sexuality and social reputation.
- The Victorian concept of the "fallen woman" and societal expectations of chastity.
- Symbolism of fruit and flowers as metaphors for lost innocence and sexual experience.
- The role of sisterhood and sacrificial love in female redemption.
- Comparisons between "Goblin Market" and Rossetti’s "An Apple-Gathering."
- The dual function of the poem as a moral warning and a social critique.
Excerpt from the Book
The Fallen Woman in Christina Rossetti’s ‘Goblin Market’
In Victorian times, one of the virtues associated with the ideal middle- and upper-class woman, the so-called ‘angel in the house’, was chastity. Women who lost their virtue out of wedlock or had sexual relations with a man other than their husband were considered a ‘fallen woman’. For these women, finding a suitable husband was usually out of the question. They could try to find a job, and in the worst case, ended up as prostitutes.
Christina Rossetti helped reintegrate fallen women into society. Nevertheless, Rossetti probably did not think that women should have the same sexual freedom as men. Many of her works deal with innocence and temptation, and the consequences of becoming a fallen woman. In this essay, it shall be explained how Goblin Market deals with the concept of the fallen woman, personified in both Jeanie and Laura.
Summary of Chapters
The Fallen Woman in Christina Rossetti’s ‘Goblin Market’: This section examines how the poem portrays the consequences of female sexual transgression and the possibilities for social reintegration through virtuous behavior and sisterly support.
List of References: This section provides the bibliographic details for the literary works and scholarly sources cited in the analysis.
Keywords
Christina Rossetti, Goblin Market, Victorian Age, Fallen Woman, Chastity, Innocence, Temptation, Flower Symbolism, An Apple-Gathering, Sisterhood, Female Sexuality, Gender Roles, Moral Warning, Social Critique, Redemption.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this essay?
The essay analyzes the portrayal of the "fallen woman" archetype in Christina Rossetti's poem "Goblin Market" within the context of Victorian societal norms.
What are the central thematic fields discussed?
The core themes include Victorian morality, the loss of innocence, symbolic representations of sexuality, and the social repercussions for women who deviate from expected norms.
What is the core research question?
The paper seeks to explain how "Goblin Market" addresses the concept of the "fallen woman" through the experiences of characters like Jeanie and Laura.
Which methodology is applied?
The text employs a literary analysis approach, focusing on symbolism, thematic interpretation, and contextualization within Victorian cultural history.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body examines flower symbolism, the metaphor of fruit as a sexual act, and the contrast between Jeanie’s fate and Laura’s redemption.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Key terms include Christina Rossetti, Goblin Market, Victorian Age, Fallen Woman, Innocence, Temptation, and Flower Symbolism.
How is "fallen woman" defined in the Victorian context?
It refers to a woman who lost her virtue outside of marriage, often resulting in social ostracization and the inability to secure a suitable marriage.
Why are daisies considered significant in the poem?
Daisies symbolize purity and innocence; their failure to grow on Jeanie’s grave highlights her permanent loss of status and virtue.
What is the significance of the fruit in "Goblin Market"?
The fruit serves as a metaphor for sexual experience; tasting it represents the forfeiture of innocence and the subsequent social downfall.
How does the author interpret Lizzie’s role?
Lizzie is seen as a source of pure, sacrificial love who manages to resist temptation, thereby saving her sister and helping her re-establish her place in society.
- Quote paper
- Michelle Blum (Author), 2016, The Fallen Woman in Christina Rossetti's "Goblin Market", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1128279
