We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.
-Oscar Wilde

While some people may not condone Laura’s behavior in becoming involved with the goblins, I personally believe that there are traces of a hero in Laura. Even though Lizzie seems to be the most blatant hero out of two, showing great regard and concern for her sister, she does not entirely break from the preconceived stereotype of the goblins as bad or evil. Instead of discovering it for herself, she submitted to an example of a friend who had fallen ill. It was because of Laura’s “bravery” in actually experiencing the fruits of the goblins that actually confirmed and justified her almost ignorant thoughts on the goblin market. But enough of Lizzie.

Goblin Food

Like Liz and Amanda wrote, I believe Laura to be the hero because of her courage to try new things and stubbornness to conform to preconceived notions set forth by others. It is true that she subjected to herself to all the pain and grief following the ingestion of the goblins’ foods. However, it is also true that Rossetti almost turns Laura into a martyr in order to teach a lesson and suggest a universal truth: “Is it death or is it life? Life out of death.” (Rossetti, 307) Rossetti uses Laura as a heroic example of what “not to do” by comparing her with Lizzie once the two sisters begin their day: “…one content, one sick in part; One warbling for the mere bright day’s delight, One longing for the night.” (Rossetti, 299) I applaud Laura for being an adventurous teacher.

Laura as the teacher-hero.