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however, does not have to join Laura like Adam must join Eve in the BibleV Through her strength she is able to save Laura and bring her back into the metaphorical Garden of Eden. Her willingness to sacrifice herself and go through danger and physical abuse to save her sister shows an immense degree of female solidarity which the author clearly believes to be essential if women are to gain power and strength in society and to live fulfilling lives. The rich sensual language and images used have led to suggestions that the sisters can also exist sexually without men. Some critics have seen Goblin Market as a lesbian text and it is not difficult to see why. Throughout the poem, there are descriptions of the sisters in terms of physical beauty: Laura reared her glossy head, (52) and Laura stretched her gleaming neck (81) and both sisters are physically very close: Golden head by golden head, Like two pigeons in one nest Folded in each other’s wings, They lay down in their curtained nest: (184-7) They are protecting each other from the evils of the world outside and can save each other from the soulless life the outside world has designated for them. Perhaps the most erotic moments in the text are after Lizzie has had her encounter with the goblins and she comes home covered in the juice of the forbidden fruit. Her invitations and Laura’s responses could easily be construed as very sexual in nature: Hug me, kiss me, suck my juices Squeezed from goblin fruits for you, Goblin pulp and goblin dew. Eat me, drink me, love me; Laura make much of me: (467-72) and Laura responds equally passionately: She kissed and kissed her with a hungry mouth.(492) Whether or not the text is lesbian, it is clear in my opinion that Laura is saved from the dreadful existence she faces by her close relationship with Lizzie; through her sacrifice she is able to be reborn and regain life from the death that awaited her because of her mistake. Through ~v/ their mutual self-sufficiency in every area of life they are able to live fulfilling, happy lives and through their solidarity they are able to help each other in times of trouble and despair. Like a foam topped waterspout Cast down headlong in the sea, She fell at last; Pleasure past and anguish past, Is it death or is it life? Life out of death. (519-24) Though they eventually become wives themselves, once again there is no mention of their husbands and the advice they give their children below would seem to indicate that they have only daughters. Feminine freedom and self-sufficiency are the fantasy of the author of Goblin Market and strength and female solidarity are seen as essential to achieving them: 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, To lift one if one totters down, To strengthen whilst one stands. (561-6) Goblin Market is a celebration of female strength and solidarity and bitter repression seems to be what the goblins are offering any unwary young women who come along, rather than the state Laura and Lizzie live in. 1/’BIBLIOGRAPHY Gilbert, S. & Gubar, S. / The Madwoman in the Attic NeW York 1979) Rossetti, C / Goblin Market (1859) ~No, Thank You, John.~ (1860) A Triad (1856) Up-Hill (1858) All in Norton Anthology of English Literature, 6th Edition, Vol.2.