In Paradise Lost, Milton puts forward the idea that there is an innate difference between men and women, stating "For contemplation he and valor formed, / For gentleness she and gentle attractive grace; / He for God only, she for God in him” (Paradise Lost IV.296-298). For centuries, these three lines have been the subject of debate among poets and writers of all literary genres. Some have declared Milton to be an early chauvinist, criticizing him for supporting the idea that women should have no functional purpose within society, while others have argued that the famous three lines prove that he was an advocate for women's rights, saying that Milton denigrated this kind of attitude towards women, I don't approve of it. A similar problem is presented in Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti. Although her poem can be interpreted as a critique of the role of women in society, it is unclear whether her critique supports the idea presented in Paradise Lost that women should have no purpose other than to love , to serve and submit to their husbands, or if Rossetti uses the poem's metaphors to condemn those who believe that women should be confined to such an obscure part. Rossetti uses ambiguous symbolism and flawed religious allegories in Goblin Market that open the poem to many interpretations, leading readers to wonder what message Rossetti is actually trying to communicate. This article will explore the ambiguity of Goblin Market and attempt to determine what Rossetti says about feminism through it by examining the meaning of the biblical allegories and symbolism she uses. The beginning of the poem introduces the reader to two sisters, Laura and Lizzie, who are tempted by the goblin men to buy lu...... middle of paper...... and become acceptable wives and mothers and functional as they are supposed to be. However, even though the days of the goblin market are "a time of no return" (549), "Laura would call the little ones / And tell them of her early heyday, / Those pleasant days are long gone" (546-548). . Even after enduring the pain she endured, it doesn't seem like Laura is sharing this story as a warning to her children, but as an accomplishment she's proud of. Works Cited International Bible Society. The Holy Bible: today's new international version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005. Print. Milton, John. Paradise lost. Ed. David Kastan. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, Inc., 2005. Print. Rossetti, Christina. Goblin Market. The Broadview Anthology of Victorian Poetry. Ed. Thomas J. Collins and Vivienne J. Rundle Peterborough: Broadview Press, 1999. 848-855. Print.