Page 4: Victorian Symbolism and Laura's Fall

The significance of hair in Victorian culture and literature is explored, along with the sexual symbolism in Laura's encounter with the goblin fruit.

Definition: Hair symbolism in Victorian literature often represented virtue, sexuality, and social status.

Quote: "Hair was a massive cultural commodity in Victorian culture."

Page 1: Introduction and Context

This opening section establishes the narrative framework and historical context of Christina Rossetti's "Goblin Market". The poem follows sisters Laura and Lizzie's encounter with goblin merchants, leading to Laura's near-fatal taste of forbidden fruit and her eventual salvation through Lizzie's sacrifice.

Definition: The poem follows a temptation-fall-redemption-restoration structure common in Victorian moral tales.

Highlight: Rossetti wrote this while volunteering at St Mary Magdalene Penitentiary, significantly influencing the poem's themes of redemption.

Example: The poem incorporates typical fairy tale elements including magical creatures, moral instruction, and supernatural elements.

Vocabulary: "Fallen women" - Victorian term for women who had transgressed sexual moral codes.

Quote: "Curiosity is bad, don't look outside your world-but you can be rescued by a loving family."