The Bildungsroman Project
coming-of-age since the 18th century
goblin market
by christina rossetti
1862
What other work in English can equally be interpreted as a Christian allegory and a celebration of lesbian incest? Claimed by its author to be a poem for children, "Goblin Market" has shocked, puzzled, and enchanted adult readers since its publication. Beyond the titillating questions of its meaning, the poem's chaotically engaging meter and exquisite depictions of fruit distinguish it as a highly memorable work. "Goblin Market" additionally possesses an unusually rich illustration history. Some of the world's finest children's illustrators have depicted the poem, but it has also been visualized by a comic book artist and even a painter for Playboy Magazine.
