The work that I had done for my own assignment was to go into the gender roles assigned in the reading of the story Goblin Market; and how these ideals that have been placed on the women Lizzie and Laura are still reminiscent of those standards made today. In the reading of the 19th century tale the premise of the double standard was something that was brought to attention on the varying incidents with the two sisters. In one instance one is a question of integrity while the other is that of curiosity and although both were in one sense very similar the outcome and presence of self-respect was one of great difference. The significance of the men continue on the lines of the mob that is society and how it corresponds to the lack luster of being “clean”. This idea of less is more in a sense brings in reason of the utter loneliness Laura feels as her inability to hear the call of the Goblins is no more after her embellishment in satisfying their hunger. While the triumph of one to resist their calls only brings them to the point of imposing themselves on her which is reminiscent of modern day criticism of women. The ideal that a promiscuous woman is wanted but yet at the same time is shunned. These interlinking connotations of the Goblins is one that can be linked to the male figure and how it has become popular belief that a man messing around is just a man but a woman caught doing the same acts is just not ideal. The thoughts of the ideal women is then pressured upon by society to become this lustful figure the male would want her to be. Although the Goblin Market brings forth the idea of rape, I believe throughout my assignment that going deeper into the story the message of imposing ideals upon the woman to carry out such acts that are unwanted; brings in the essence of the double standard.
-CEM
