The poem Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti is very intriguing. The poem has so many great literary tools that enhance the overall effect of the poem. The imagery and description of the setting, the fruits, and the goblins make it seem like you are actually there within the poem hearing, smelling, and seeing everything firsthand. The descriptions and the lists of all the different types and varieties of fruit add to the temptation that the goblin men offer. If the goblins only offered a few select varieties of fruit there would be little to no temptation and the goblins wouldn’t be able to lure their victims.
Also, the fact that the poem contains a story makes the poem even more intriguing. And because a large amount of time passes within the poem, the effect of what happens is intensified because the readers get to follow the goblins and the two sisters closely. The readers get to see in detail what the goblins can accomplish when they lure a victim. Being able to see how Laura suffers and almost dies because of the goblins temptations give the reader a sense of how cruel and evil the goblins are.
The description used to show how Laura’s sister watches her deteriorate before her is vivid and heartbreaking. Lizzie’s determination to help Laura is also major factor of the poem that makes the poem so well written. What Lizzie endures just for a chance to save her sister pulls at the reader making them empathize and see how much family can mean to a person.
Image source: http://joannagorham.blogspot.com/2010/11/goblin-market.html
Great way to explain the poem, but why did you chose it? Personally I didn't like it all that much and didn't relate to it or get really anything that caught my full interest or a certain point in my life or anything like that. Just curious as to why you picked it. Shannyn
ReplyDeleteHey,
ReplyDeleteI personally found this poem difficult to read. I can appreciate your complements on the details given on the poem and the bonds of the sisters and how to view the goblin men. This was just a very hard poem for me to understand. I am glad that you were able to grasp a story from the poem and understand it.
Very well put. I personally had trouble reading it. I gave up half way. (Not really the best way to deal with things) but if I can't get the poem within half way I usually don't keep going and spare the frustration. But you did, you really did well breaking it down. Great job.
ReplyDeleteHI Adriana,
ReplyDeleteI liked this poem as well and it was a fun one to read. I appreciated all that you saw from the poem and were able to put into words. When I read it I almost thought of it being like a person suffering from drug addiction and a family member sitting back and watching the suffering. Did you think it related to anything present day that fit? Did you relate to any of the characters?
Thanks,
Heather
Hi Adriana,
ReplyDeleteThis poem was a fun read. I live a bit of danger in my fantasies. The goblin is a classic creature of mythology. Not too different from humans but with a forgotten feel. The "crule and evil" goblins are a fantastic representation of advertising (Adriana 2). That was the first thing that came to mind when I read "what a goblin can accomplish when they lure a victim" (Adriana 2).
Good analysing, can't wait to read you essay.
Emiliano Ramos
Personally, this was one of the few poems that I could understand! I completely agree with you that the story makes it even more interesting, how else could you get through so many lines? I am also excited to read your essay, as I won't be able to study that poem in depth as I would like. P.S. nice job on your visual!
ReplyDeleteI had a hard time understanding this poem. I appreciate your explanation of it. I found it to be dark and dangerous, and intense, normally I like reading stories like that, but this one escaped me! Good Job!
ReplyDeleteYou did a very good job in explaining what happened in the poem. i feel like from reading your response that I know more of what was going on in the poem than when I read it myself. You seem to have a good grasp of what is going on and the deeper meaning of the poem but I thought I would add a couple suggestions for when you do the literary analysis. One would be why does the author want you to be able to see the market so vividly? Is it just so that you know the setting or is there some deeper meaning behind the market. Another could be why is it important that so much time passes throughout the poem. Does that amount of time symbolize something? And finally what are the goblins? Are the resembling somebody or something in society? These of course are just suggestions but I hope that they can help you with your paper.
ReplyDeleteAdriana, I liked your comments and reasons why you were attracted to this poem. The poem was a difficult one for me. I like rhythmic poems or shorter versed poems personally. This poem seemed more like a book or a story rather than a poem.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed I would say the first 1/3 of this poem. I pictured myself in a Golden Age market place shopping with my wife and kids, smelling the scents, and haggling for a good price. As the poem went on and turned from a market place to more of a serious tone. Not playful like the first 22 lines. As the speaker turns more serious and speaks more hateful about the Goblins/Merchants I found myself worried what would happen next. I pictured a terrifying swap meet where the merchants are murderously seeking a sale.Good analysis and again great image.
ReplyDelete