“We must not look at the goblin men”: sensual experience and religious vision in Christina Rossetti's “Goblin Market”. Christina Rossetti's "Goblin Market" is one of the most controversial poems in her history. time. Although she insisted that it was a children's fairy tale, many readers interpreted it as an erotic poem, with many seeing it as a warning for young women against sexual temptations. The poem contains many hidden insinuations. For example, the Gobelins describe the fruit in a sensual way: “Cherries fleshy and not pecked” (line 7). Cherries are considered a sign of virtue and therefore a clear example of a sexual situation. There is also a very strong religious theme in this poem. The fruit offered by the goblin merchants is a very clear symbol of Adam and Eve and the forbidden fruit. “Clearly, the conscious or semi-conscious allegorical intention of this narrative poem is sexual/religious. » (Gilbert and Gubar, 566). This essay will discuss the theme of sensual experience in terms of what makes this poem erotic, female sexuality and also aims to discuss the religious symbolism in Rossetti's "Goblin Market". Rosetti challenges the traditional patriarchal perception of Victorian women in terms of sexuality and education. She recognizes that the ideologies of her time were wrong and that they needed to be remedied. She used the "goblin market" to challenge this and also as a warning against men and tempting sexual situations. Many women have given in to these temptations and become “fallen women.” Rossetti showed young girls the consequences of breaking the rules. The sexual references are the main cause for questioning the true audience of this poem. There are many strong symbols and innuendos throughout to support these... middle of paper ... suggesting that his innocence is completely destroyed. Jeanie showed great promise, she “should have been a wife” (line 313). Jeanie may have had a husband in mind and would have led the ideal Victorian life, but she fell victim to her own temptations. She gave herself over to the fruits of goblin men and lost everything, she fell ill and died, "But she whom wives hope to have for joys, fell ill and died, in the prime of her life" (lines 314-316). Jeanie lost everything because she gave in to a tempting situation, she lost everything and ultimately lost her life. . “Gobelins Market”. The Norton Anthology of English Literature, Volume E The Victorian Era. Ed. Julia Reidhead. 8th ed. Flight. E. New York: WW Norton, 2005. 1466-1478.