Many interpret the entire poem as a spiritual allegory. Laura represents Eve, the fallen woman who first sampled the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. Lizzie acts as a Christ figure who accepts punishment in order to grant salvation.
Several instances of metaphor can be found in the poem, many of which deal with money. In lines 123 and 126, the characters liken Laura's golden hair to gold coins, and in line 127, Laura's tear relates to a pearl, which also holds monetary value. These metaphors demonstrate how she pays for the fruit by selling her entire body. Several similes also exist, such as those comparing the sisters to "pigeons in a nest" and "two blossoms on one stem" in lines 184 to 188.
The overall rhythm and meter of the poem appear irregular. Most of the poem follows an "abab" end-rhyme scheme, where every other line's ending rhymes within a set of four lines. Some exceptions exist, however, especially within the list of fruits at the beginning of the poem, lines 3 to 14. Other rhymes appear in couplets, such as "vine" and "fine" at the ends of lines 20 and 21, respectively. Regardless, Rossetti makes thorough use of rhyme throughout the poem.
In some instances of the poem, Rossetti uses repetition to emphasize a certain phrase or action. For example, as the goblins first call out to sell their fruit in lines 3 and 4, they say, "Come buy our orchard fruits, / Come buy, come buy." Likewise, in line 134, Laura devours the fruit, and the line repetitively states, "She sucked and sucked and sucked the more."
The poem typically uses allusion to further strengthen the allegorical tie to Christianity. The fact that the goblins tempt Laura away with fruit mimics the "forbidden fruit" plot of Genesis. Furthermore, Lizzie's words upon saving her sister in line 471, "Eat me, drink me, love me" alludes to Christ's words in Matthew 26:26, "Take and eat; this is my body." The allusions help bring the allegorical aspect of the poem into focus.
While contested, some critics believe that the poem contains several euphemisms. The manner in which Laura devours the fruit in line 134 seems vaguely sexual in nature. Since Laura must rely on another woman with whom she shares a platonic relationship -- her sister, Lizzie -- to save her specifically from "goblin men," the poem could very well contain some sexual undertones and euphemisms.