A close reading of Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti on the way female sexuality is explored through class and symbolism.

In the poem Goblin Market the theme of female sexuality is explored through symbolism, and the influence of class position. The use of erotic symbolism in the poem is characterised by the fruit being a symbol of male genitalia. So, when Laura 'suck'd and suck'd' the fruit it is indicative of a sexual action. Furthermore, this portrays female sexuality as insatiable or even animalistic as Laura sucked 'until her lips were sore'. The influence of class position on sexuality shows that financially unstable women are more at risk of going great lengths to satisfy a sexual desire, than upper class women. This is revealed through the working class character of Laura who has 'no coin' so must give a 'golden lock' to acquire the fruit, which in essence suggests she uses her body as currency. Firstly, the erotic symbolism of the Goblin men's fruit is reinforced in the poem by Laura being described after having sampled the fruit as having a 'passionate yearning' for more to satisfy 'her fire'. This illuminates the sexual symbolism behind Laura's desperation to keep having the fruit, as metaphorically it is her way of controlling her growing sexual appetite. This is deepened by the fruit being described as ‘forbidden’ later in the poem, which is a religious reference to Eve, the original fallen woman. Like Eve, Laura succumbs to temptation and gains sexual knowledge through eating the fruit. As does Jeanie, who ‘should have been a bride’, but enjoyed too soon the ‘joys brides hope to have'when she tasted the fruit, which led in her death. Jeanie’s story is told by Lizzie within the poem in order to act as a didactic device warning women of the consequences of succumbing to sexual temptation. Lizzie also says that ‘no grass will grow where [Jeanie] lies low’. This symbolises society rejecting her for her transgression, and the lack of grass on her grave suggests that her act was unnatural and unforgivable even after death. The internal rhyme of the sentence established by the words grow and low, with low emotionally indicating depression, reinforces Jeanie’s downfall and establishes a downtrodden tone. While, the hyperbolic reference to the lack of grass implies that women are punished too severely and should be allowed a chance at redemption. So, the comparison between the three women works as a critique of the Victorian marriage ideal that ostracises the ‘fallen woman’.