The poem is inspired by little more than sibling rivalry. The Goblin Men are Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. An art movement co-founded by her older brother, Danté, when Christina was only 17. Danté was considered the de facto leader. He was charismatic and passionate. The group soon caught the attention of a prominent art critic who declared them geniuses. Christina thought she was going to be a part of the group when she was old enough. They tried to send a subtle message, by naming themselves a 'Brotherhood", that she was not going to be welcome. Eventually, after she refused to let her brother even read her work, he agreed to introduce a vote to make her an "honorary" member. That satisfied her enough to submit a few poems to be published in the group's literary periodical, Germ. She was 19yo. He required her to use a pseudonym under the pretense that allowing his sister who is so young to publish in the group's literary periodical would appear to be nepotism. Those poems, published under a pseudonym, were considered by many to be the best poetry produced by the PRB until Goblin Market was released 11 years later. Her brothers (both were in PRB) seemed to spearhead the effort to keep her at arm's length from the group. She sat as a model for some members and she was still encouraged by Danté to submit her work to him for literary critique. But she could not attend meetings or ever ask to see anything they were working on. Needless to say it was a tense environment and by the time she was 25, she was writing material critical of her brother and his movement. "In the Artist's Studio" is a clear example. Anyway, there was a lot of tension between Christina and the Brotherhood throughout her 20s. At one point, she was engaged to one of the members but called off the wedding shortly before they were to be married. The official reason this happened was his sudden and unplanned conversion to Catholicism. Christina, her sister, and her mother were devout Anglicans. Officially, she began work on Goblin Market as early as 1859, but it was published in 1862. Some of the real-life events referenced in the poem did not occur until late 1861 and early 1862. Those events, however, were so impactful on those involved that they were essential to include. The poem is, at its heart, a recounting of the shameful ways the artistically high-minded, anti-British art establishment PRB used their artistic credibility and burgeoning popularity for despicable purposes. It details how they treated the impoverished, naive young women they recruited as models. It wasn't meant to be a celebration of Christ, a social commentary or art as activism. It was basically a diss track. It was a bombshell tell-all thinly-veiled as a fairy tale. Everyone it targeted knew that. Their influential champions in the art world knew it too. It was obvious that Christina knew she could never reveal the true inspiration for the poem. The best she could do was hope that people picked up on the very obvious clues. Unfortunately, the people who collected art, sold art, taught art, wrote about art and critiqued art had a vested interest in the continued ascension of the PRB. They made sure the truth didn't came to light through any credible source. They went so far as to somehow with a straight face push the ridiculous notion that it was written for children. This was 1860 London. The language has not changed enough since then to make that sound kid-friendly.
I didn't know much about the history, but yes, I agree on this one. The poem clearly showed how women were either used and tossed like nothing if they succumbed or mocked, belittled if they disagreed or stood their ground. Juices and fruits could mean life's luxuries, prestige, comfort maybe honor that women need to pay for in order to take part in. The price is high but they don't get what they paid for. When women demand for the same value they "paid" for, they get mocked, ridiculed. We can clearly see unequal opportunity brought by a patriarchal system.
After listening to many critiques I think you’ve explained the context and imagery so well. It rings true in the sense her sister did become a nun working to help women at risk. Thank you for your scholarship.
So very well explained; this helped my understanding tremendously. Your reading voice is great for narration.
Thank you, great narration, your voice is just smooth
The poem is inspired by little more than sibling rivalry. The Goblin Men are Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. An art movement co-founded by her older brother, Danté, when Christina was only 17. Danté was considered the de facto leader. He was charismatic and passionate. The group soon caught the attention of a prominent art critic who declared them geniuses. Christina thought she was going to be a part of the group when she was old enough. They tried to send a subtle message, by naming themselves a 'Brotherhood", that she was not going to be welcome.
Eventually, after she refused to let her brother even read her work, he agreed to introduce a vote to make her an "honorary" member. That satisfied her enough to submit a few poems to be published in the group's literary periodical, Germ. She was 19yo. He required her to use a pseudonym under the pretense that allowing his sister who is so young to publish in the group's literary periodical would appear to be nepotism. Those poems, published under a pseudonym, were considered by many to be the best poetry produced by the PRB until Goblin Market was released 11 years later.
Her brothers (both were in PRB) seemed to spearhead the effort to keep her at arm's length from the group. She sat as a model for some members and she was still encouraged by Danté to submit her work to him for literary critique. But she could not attend meetings or ever ask to see anything they were working on. Needless to say it was a tense environment and by the time she was 25, she was writing material critical of her brother and his movement. "In the Artist's Studio" is a clear example.
Anyway, there was a lot of tension between Christina and the Brotherhood throughout her 20s. At one point, she was engaged to one of the members but called off the wedding shortly before they were to be married. The official reason this happened was his sudden and unplanned conversion to Catholicism. Christina, her sister, and her mother were devout Anglicans.
Officially, she began work on Goblin Market as early as 1859, but it was published in 1862. Some of the real-life events referenced in the poem did not occur until late 1861 and early 1862. Those events, however, were so impactful on those involved that they were essential to include.
The poem is, at its heart, a recounting of the shameful ways the artistically high-minded, anti-British art establishment PRB used their artistic credibility and burgeoning popularity for despicable purposes. It details how they treated the impoverished, naive young women they recruited as models. It wasn't meant to be a celebration of Christ, a social commentary or art as activism. It was basically a diss track. It was a bombshell tell-all thinly-veiled as a fairy tale. Everyone it targeted knew that. Their influential champions in the art world knew it too. It was obvious that Christina knew she could never reveal the true inspiration for the poem. The best she could do was hope that people picked up on the very obvious clues. Unfortunately, the people who collected art, sold art, taught art, wrote about art and critiqued art had a vested interest in the continued ascension of the PRB. They made sure the truth didn't came to light through any credible source. They went so far as to somehow with a straight face push the ridiculous notion that it was written for children. This was 1860 London. The language has not changed enough since then to make that sound kid-friendly.
I didn't know much about the history, but yes, I agree on this one. The poem clearly showed how women were either used and tossed like nothing if they succumbed or mocked, belittled if they disagreed or stood their ground. Juices and fruits could mean life's luxuries, prestige, comfort maybe honor that women need to pay for in order to take part in. The price is high but they don't get what they paid for. When women demand for the same value they "paid" for, they get mocked, ridiculed. We can clearly see unequal opportunity brought by a patriarchal system.
this is so insightful, do you have any evidence backing this, not bc i dont believe rather that i need it to help my conclusion!
You did a great job on that, appreciate it!
Thank you Elisabeth; I admire your scholarship.
This is so good! Very detailed and covered every aspect. Thank you so much
After listening to many critiques I think you’ve explained the context and imagery so well. It rings true in the sense her sister did become a nun working to help women at risk. Thank you for your scholarship.
Such a beautiful explanation! Thanks for your insight! It was really helpful. Much appreciated
This helped me with understanding the poem better. Thanks❤
Thank you for this brilliant analysis.
Absolutely loved this!
What an excellent work, thank you!
Brilliant!
This really help me! Thanks
I liked your presentation it really helps, thank you!
that's ridiculously amazing
this is great thankyou!