The Rape of the Lock

Definition

The Rape of the Lock is a mock-epic poem written by Alexander Pope, published in 1712 and expanded in 1714, which satirizes the social customs and petty conflicts of the aristocracy in 18th-century England. The poem centers around a trivial incident where a young man cuts a lock of hair from a young woman, which escalates into a ridiculous feud between their families, highlighting the absurdities of high society and the superficial nature of social status.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The poem begins with an invocation to the muse, a common feature in epic poetry, which immediately sets a satirical tone for the trivial subject matter.
2. Pope uses supernatural elements like Sylphs and Gnomes to represent different aspects of society and to mock the characters' concerns over vanity and reputation.
3. The title's use of the word 'rape' is meant to shock readers and highlight the seriousness with which society treats what is ultimately a trivial event.
4. The conflict between Belinda and Lord Petre over the stolen lock symbolizes larger societal conflicts and highlights the absurdity of aristocratic disputes.
5. Pope’s use of grand language and elevated style juxtaposed with mundane events serves to emphasize the ridiculousness of the societal values he critiques.

Review Questions

• How does Pope use the structure of a mock-epic in The Rape of the Lock to enhance his critique of 18th-century society?
  • Pope employs the mock-epic structure by imitating traditional epic conventions, such as invoking muses and employing grand language, but applies them to a trivial event—Belinda's lock of hair being cut. This contrast between lofty style and lowly subject matter underscores the absurdity of aristocratic values and social conflicts. By elevating such a petty incident to epic proportions, Pope effectively critiques the superficial concerns that dominate high society.
• Discuss how satire in The Rape of the Lock reflects Pope's views on vanity and social status among the aristocracy.
  • Through sharp wit and exaggerated characters, Pope's satire highlights how vanity drives individuals within the aristocracy to engage in pointless disputes over trivial matters. The obsession with appearances, as seen in Belinda's frantic reactions after losing her lock, serves as a critique of how social status is maintained through superficiality. This portrayal reveals Pope's disdain for a culture that prioritizes image over substance and illustrates how such preoccupations can lead to ludicrous outcomes.
• Evaluate how The Rape of the Lock serves as both a social commentary and an artistic statement on the nature of poetry in its time.
  • The Rape of the Lock operates on multiple levels as both a biting social commentary on the follies of aristocratic life and an artistic statement about the function of poetry itself. By employing mock-epic elements, Pope challenges traditional notions of what subjects are worthy of poetic treatment, suggesting that even trivialities can be deserving of literary exploration. This approach prompts readers to reconsider the value placed on social rank while simultaneously celebrating poetry’s ability to elevate any subject through artful expression, reinforcing its power to reflect societal truths.

Related terms

Mock-Epic: A genre that parodies the conventions of epic poetry by treating trivial subjects in an exaggerated manner, often using formal language and grandiose style.

Satire:

A literary technique that uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to criticize or mock individuals, societies, or institutions, often with the aim of prompting change.

Heroic Couplets: A form of verse consisting of rhymed pairs of iambic pentameter lines, commonly used by poets like Pope to create a structured and elevated tone.