Christina Rossetti, “Goblin Market”

Goblin Market and Other Poems, 1879

“We must not look at goblin men, We must not buy their fruits.” (42–43)

“Goblin Market” is a children’s poem written by Christina Rossetti based around the importance of virginity. The phrase “we must not look at goblin men,” is oriented towards men as a whole. In short, it is meant to warn women against the perils of succumbing to fornication.

The “goblin men” would represent all men except that goblins have the added element of being non-human, so it is easier for young girls to understand the danger of succumbing to them. It is important to note that this phrase precludes females from even looking at goblin men. This is analogous to the belief that in Victorian times, females were supposed to be knowledgeable about their sexuality as a whole. If they “look” at the goblin men, they become more knowledgeable, and therefore, less pure.

Ultimately, “Goblin Market” answers the problem of sexual temptation by suggesting female solidarity as the solution. After one sister (Laura) succumbs to buying the fruit of the goblin men, the other saves her. When they are older, Laura says to her children: “For there is no friend like a sister / In calm or stormy weather / To cheer one on the tedious way / To fetch one if one goes astray” (562–565). This poem’s solution is particularly interesting to me because of the Catholic Church’s similar attitudes towards virginity today. When speaking on the subject of fornication, the Church stresses the importance of an “accountability partner” between same genders. In short, exactly what Rossetti proposes.

In Season 4 Episode 11, entitled “Midnight” of Doctor Who at 24:36 min, (not shown because in all of Youtube’s glorious clipdom, this particular clip is unavailable) this exact quote is said. “Midnight” focuses on being a group of characters trapped with an unknown creature that stares at them, and one woman says the line about goblin men. In response, the other character says “That’s not helping.” (A solid assessment, in my opinion.) Although “Goblin Market” is a poem mostly on virginity, Doctor Who takes the phrase literally.