The Rape of the Lock

The Rape of the Lock

Introduction

The rape of the lock is humor based literature describing the prides and apathy of 18th century of a higher class society. This literature possesses true stories and incidents happened in that era among known families. Alexander pope has written it. This poem started as a chain of reaction and incidents since 1712 from Robert Petre who cut the hair lock of his beloved. However, the narrative style of Pope has been humorous throughout the poem, as he wants people to realize their follies. The poem is considered as one of the most outstanding ones. The poem has covered the lofty issues of love and war of old times. The author has aimed at criticizing the upheavals of society of old times for minor issues. He has highlighted the drawbacks of the higher class society that gives importance to appearance as compare to one's inner self. The author has utilized a humorous way of narration to highlight the real life events and incidents that are usually over looked or never looked upon. The main agenda of this research paper is to highlight the character and role of women as portrayed by society. It revolves around the fact that women are always shown as a substance that are highly possessed about their beauty and are considered as worthless (Poep, A., 2004).

Discussion

The character of Belinda is shown as being obsessed with good appearance and she is mocked by the author in form of various terminologies such as hyperbole and goddess (in line 132). She is portrayed as hero throughout poem but author always had double meaning behind this heroism. She has been called as the fairest of all mortals due to her posturing look and that is why society gives her a higher place. This societal position is mainly attained as a result of good looks. The main aim of poet in this poem is to describe the role and place of women in society as she has always been considered important or worthy only because of her appearance and get up. Her individual identity is always demolished and ignored. However her morality is also appreciated heavily in the society. It is believed that when a woman sits in front of a mirror, a fairy tale like beautiful image appears in front of her. Women are shown as typical erratic, apparent feminine that have ...