After I first read the “The Rape of The Lock”, I found it quite difficult to understand what really happened in the poem. I have never read such I difficult poem before, since there were many references to other literary works that I have never read or heard before. Although, the poem does seem well written since Pope uses certain parts from other literary works that fit into the story and help get the poem’s point across. The only part of the poem that I actually liked was how Pope used vivid imagery to aid in telling what was happening in the story, even if it did not all make sense. But I did find it funny how the poem was written to make fun of a real event that happened, but was not even that big of a deal. The poem really shows how ridiculous it was to fight over a lock of hair, especially since there was an epic battle in the poem that people died in, because Belinda was trying to get her hair back. I just do not understand why she wanted her lock of hair back, since she obviously could not attach it back to her hair. Maybe the lock of hair symbolized beauty and Belinda wanted it back so she would not feel less beautiful and important.
After rereading the poem for a second time and breaking down what happens in each canto, I was able to understand the poem better. But I am still not sure if certain parts of the poem are even necessary, like the part about the Cave of Spleen.
I know “The Rape of The Lock” is a mock epic, but I think it really portrays Belinda as a trivial “hero”. Since, she does not do anything heroic or important in the poem except for fighting over her lock of hair, which she still does not end up getting back. Honestly I really do not think she is not much of a hero at all, but her high status in society and beauty show that she is. Overall, I think Pope really accomplished presenting the poem and its character’s in a trivial manner, which shows how stupid the matter is that the poem is about.
Discussion Questions:
Would the poem have been as effective in explaining the purpose of the poem, if all of the comparison’s to other literary works were not made?
Why would losing a lock of hair be considered so important to the character’s in the story but unimportant to others, like Pope?
I agree. I found this poem extremely hard to grasp. It seemed pointless in theme and took forever to get the point across. I do think that Pope could have told this story without references to other stories. Although if one knew of all the stories, it might add a creative and meaningful touch to the theme of it.
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