Goblin Market - Christina Rossetti

In this poem, Christina Rossetti writes about the importance of sisterhood. She shows the relationship between Lizzie and Laura, two sisters who are called to the market by goblin men who are tempting them to buy fruit.

Lizzie fears the goblins, but Laura is entranced, finding the goblins intriguing, going to the market. The goblins are not the most appealing creatures, resembling different animals. The goblins insist that she buy goods from the market, however, she does not have any money. The goblins take a lock of her hair as payment instead. She consumes the goods she purchased and returns home.

Upon returning home, she tells Lizzie about her experience and insists on bringing her fruit the next day after her trip to the market. However, Laura becomes sick, not able to hear the goblins calling anymore while Lizzie still can. Fearing that Laura will die soon, Lizzie takes a golden penny and goes to the goblin market to get fruit for her sister. The goblins do not give her the fruit, but instead invite her to their feast. When she refuses, the goblins attack her, trying to force her to eat the fruit. She refuses and the goblins give up, leaving Lizzie covered in fruit juice.

After returning home, Lizzie tells Laura to take the juice from her face. This unfortunately did not work and caused Laura to collapse to a deathlike state. The next morning, Laura wakes up, fully recovered.

Years later, they both marry and tell their children the story of the goblins and the goblin market. They emphasize the love the sisters have for one another and how it saved Laura. Laura tells her children: “For there is no friend like a sisterIn calm or stormy weather;To cheer one on the tedious way,To fetch one if one goes astray,To lift one if one totters down,To strengthen whilst one stands.” The bond and friendship the sisters have is strong and very important. It is the reason the two of them are still alive.