Study Questions: "Goblin Market"
1. "Goblin Market" was originally published in a collection of poems for children. While we may find the subject matter inappropriate for children (more on that in class), what technical elements of the poem suggest a child audience?
2. Note both the description of the fruits the goblin men offer, and their abundance. What is Rossetti suggesting about the fruit here? What's wrong with it? What's appealing about it?
3. What do you think happened to Jeanie?
4. Why won't the goblin men let Laura buy from them again?
5. Compare ll. 81-86 with ll. 408-421. What is the effect of piling up similes like this?
6. The climax of the poem is in Lizzie's sacrificial act on her sister's behalf. What kinds of associations does the line, "Eat me, drink me, love me" set up?