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Rape of the Lock

Rape of the Lock Alexander Pope's The Rape of the Lock is not studied and admired only because of its style and form, but also for its base content and underlying themes. Pope's ability to manipulate text into mock-heroic form, constructing a flow of satirical description is what makes this poem one of such quality. The piece was first published in 1712 by the request of Pope's friend, John Caryll. It was to make peace between the Fermors and Petres, two prominent Roman Catholic families at the time. The feud was supposedly caused by an incident at a card game that ended with Lord Petre cutting a lock from the hair of lovely Arabella Fermor. Caryll had hoped that Pope wrote a poem that would sooth the tempers of the two families. Popes intention was to combine satirical humor with the already existent ill feelings produced by the incident. He was, more or less, putting the minor situation into perspective, hopping all involved could laugh at them selves. To do this, he chose a mock-heroic form and to model the work after an epic poem, possibly mocking Milton's Paradise Lost. Pope's satirical take on the incident continues with his strict line rhyme and meter, which adds to seriousness of the writing style. Through understanding where Pope is coming from in his over the top style, the reader begins to understand that the piece is a view of the follies of upper class society, relationships, and especially female vanity. The entire poem comments on the current social world, satirizing concerns of women in society. Pope jokingly describes the main character, Belinda, as if she were a heroin in an epic tale by addressing her as, "Fairest of all Mortals, thou distinguish'd / Cave of a thousand bright inhabitants of air!" (N. 1) He builds this woman up as the character has already done by applying exotic creams and perfumes to herself , which the author describes with much importance. Pope's over exaggeration of Belinda's preparation accomplishes his intended goal of revealing how worthless he believes these duties to be. It is also necessary to discuss the fact that Pope seems to realize that the extreme vanity is caused by his own gender. If Belinda's preparations are not for her male acquaintances, then why? Speaking through Clarissa, Pope allows the reader to take a step away from satire with a taste of sensibility, "How vain are the Glories, all our Pains, / Unless good sense preserve what beauty gains…." (N. 1) Here the author seems to be pushing for a lack of shallowness in the opposite sex. Using The Rape of the Lock, Pope has criticized and attempted to explain the problem he himself sees in society's view of women and women's view of themselves. It is also apparent that he has attempted to understand the situation. Pope reveals a hint of sensitivity within the maze of critical satire: Nature to your undoing arms mankind With strength of body, artifice of mind; But gives your feeble sex, made up of fears, No guard but virtue, no redress but tears. Yet custom (Seldom to your favour gain'd) Absolves the virgin when by force constrain'd….(N. 1) Is the author searching for female readers to appreciate his sensitivity, or more likely, looking for some realization from his male peers? The Rape of the Lock can be, and has been, examined on many levels. To put it simply, it is a satirical look at a miniscule event that was blown out of proportion. Through expanding vastly upon the small details of the incident, Pope has poked fun at many societal regularities, most of all, women. This essay includes quoted lines of Pope's work, but to fully understand the writer's themes and views of feminism, one must look at his work in its entirety. In doing that, readers realize that in many instances he refers to women's concerns as worthless and their behavior as ridiculous. At the same time, The Rape of the Lock is littered with fragments of understanding and sensitivity towards the opposite sex. It would be unfair to the examination of this mock-epic poem, if one were to not address the author's intentions in compiling such underlying themes. From all historical accounts, Mr. Pope was not a physically attractive man. With poor health caused by tuberculosis and asthma, Pope also had a curvature of the spine resulting in his four foot, six inch stature. Is this piece of his work not only a satire on the cutting of hair, but a description of Pope's hopes of finding such a woman who is not as shallow as the characters he writes of? Once again, speaking though Clarissa, Pope states an effective and simple truth, "Beauties in vain their pretty eyes may roll; / Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul." (N. 1) Bibliography:

Word Count: 805