Linking Feminist and Queer Literary Theory
Applying a Modern Perspective to Christina Rossetti’s “Goblin Market”
The culture of nineteenth century Europe seems like a different world compared to the (mostly) accepting culture of today. Whether it’s a star-worshipping religion, a transitioning former Olympian, or a grown man dedicating his life to My Little Pony, our society is overall accepting of lifestyles that are considered alternative. While modern culture still has work ahead of it on the acceptance front, we have made giant strides compared to the 1850s. So, what does a woman do faced with strict social constraints that kept her bound to her approved place in the home? Christina Rossetti made the decision to use her writing to call attention to the errors of the time period. Published in 1862, “Goblin Market” examines the social structure in a way that is reminiscent of the ideals of contemporary queer and feminist theory.
In the poem, the private sphere is being examined as the subjects of “Goblin Market,” sisters Laura and Lizzie, rely on the deep attachment of sisterhood to overcome their obstacles in lieu of a male hero, as Rossetti depicts no male character other than the goblins. Rossetti’s poem illustrates a women’s struggle through the goblins that use their “fruits” to overpower young, unsuspecting women.
The reliance Laura and Lizzie place on one another bears a strong resemblance to the teachings of queer theorist, Monique Wittig — even though there is no romantic relationship between the two: they are sisters. In her essay, “The Straight Mind,” Wittig establishes an institution that she refers to as the straight mind: the collection of discourse and conventions of the dominant heterosexual society. She asserts that the structure of gender, and the roles women adhere to based off that structure, are ideas put into place by the heterosexual male. Wittig declares that this society rejects and oppresses any group differing from heterosexual norms; however, the oppressed are not limited to lesbians and gays (53). Since it is the heterosexual male role that holds the governing position in the straight mind, women are also successfully subdued. Feminists and women who defy normal social conventions are rejected from society. Wittig states that gender is established on the basis of power; a woman is defined as such because she is denied the same power distributed to male members of society. She moves away from this definition when she is not “in a relation of personal dependency with a man” (Wittig 57).
Wittig’s ideas are a radical outlook to some, but to feminist scholars, this theory holds water. These two areas of critique overlap in their thought that, in some form or another, there are instances of female suppression. This connection can open the door for a broader examination of feminist texts. By applying more than one literary lens, scholars find themselves with a richer, more dynamic reading of a work. Rossetti’s point of view was ahead of her time; her discontent with the plight of the nineteenth century woman is on par with modern critiques. “Goblin Market” provides an excellent example for examining multiple theories at work in one text.
