The Rape of the Lock Response

   To me, the Rape of the Lock is kind of incomprehensible. After finish reading two Cantos, I still don’t understand what’s really going on throughout the whole story. The only thing I know is that the Baron stole a lock of Belinda’s hair, and she was furious about it. Although there were sylphs trying to warn Belinda from being attacked by the scissors, it was unsuccessful. At last, the lock of hair rose to the sky and became the star, which symbolized for Belinda’s lasting fame. I think the reason I don’t understand the story might be the language being used, which is in between modern and old English. Thus, it’s difficult for me to find out the significance of this famous mock epic, the technique of juxtaposes that Pope used, and the flirtatious affair that Pope is trying to satirize. As for result, I don’t really know how to connect the satires used in this mock epic to the events that happened in the world we’re living now.

The Rape of the Lock Question

8. How does the poem apply to contemporary life? What passages could serve as satirical commentaries on people’s behavior today?

1.      How do the heroes of this mock epic differ from the conventional epic hero?

The heroes of this mock epic differ from the conventional epic hero in ways that heroes of this mock epic don’t encounter trials and accomplish challenging tasks.

2.      Why have “the heroes and the nymphs” fathered at Hampton Court?

The heroes and the nymphs fathered at Hampton Court because a party is held at the Court.

3.     What events serve as “epic battles”?

The event of Belinda playing card games with two other gentlemen and Belinda combating with the Baron demanding for the return of the lock serve as epic battles.

4.     Who and what is Pope mocking in this epic?

In this epic, Pope is mocking the young gentleman Rober, Lord Petre, who steals a lock of Arabella Fermor’s hair and set off a quarrel between the Fermor and the Petre families.

7.   In Canto III, line 86, Pope juxtaposes, or places side by side, dying

husbands and dying lapdogs. What is the effect of this juxtaposition? Find other surprising juxtapositions in the poem, and describe their effects.

l   The effect of this juxtaposition is that it shows royal residence as a place which both serious matters of state and frivolous social occasions happen.

l   There are other surprising juxtapositions, such as in Canto III, lines 1 to 8: at Hampton Court, statesmen discuss the fall of tyrants-and also of young ladies. Meanwhile, Queen Anne is sometimes served political counsel-and at other times, tea. The effect of this juxtaposition is the grandiose and the trivial; in Canto V, lines 49 to 58: even though the lock is gone forever, its very loss will ensure Belinda’s lasting fame. The effect of this placing is the short-lived and the eternity.

l   The poem applies to contemporary life in ways that the society of that time and the society existing now have lost proportion in valuing: trivial subject is given the attitude of gravity and solemnity, which shall be treated with truly important issues.

l   Passages that describe noble men and women having parties, card games, and affairs could serve as satirical commentaries on people’s behavior today.