CHRISTINA ROSSETTI’S DIVIDED PSYCHE AND IT’S REFLECTION IN HER POETRY: GOBLIN MARKET

Abstract

This study explores Christina Rossetti's dual personality and its manifestation in her poem "Goblin Market." Rossetti's work is a reflection of the societal and religious dichotomies generated by the contradictions and complexities of the Victorian era. This study delves into Rossetti's divided psyche, shaped by her upbringing, religious influences, and idealized Victorian womanhood. The poem "Goblin Market" exemplifies Rossetti's exploration of dual identity through the contrasting characters of Laura and Lizzie. Additionally, the influence of Rossetti's parents, Gabriele and Frances, plays a significant role in her personal and artistic development, as well as the tension between their contrasting temperaments and cultural backgrounds. The role of religion in Rossetti's life and its impact on her poetry is also examined, highlighting her acceptance and critique of restrictive gender roles and ideals of purity imposed by Christianity. Furthermore, societal expectations of Victorian womanhood and their influence on Rossetti's divided self reflect the complexities of female identity in her works. Through an analysis of Rossetti's poetry, particularly "Goblin Market," the study uncovers the themes of desire, temptation, and female agency, and the utilization of vivid language and sensual imagery to depict the consequences of indulging in forbidden desires. The study also investigates the incorporation of Christian theology in the poem, drawing parallels between the biblical stories and challenging patriarchal norms and the objectification of women. The study reveals Rossetti's celebration of the female agency, sisterhood, and the breaking of conventional gender roles in her poetic exploration of the Victorian era, focusing on the embodiment of duality in her personality and its expression in "Goblin Market".