Short Summary of Rape of the Lock: "Rape of the Lock" by Alexander Pope The poem

is a criticism on upper society for its carefree lifestyle and ignorance of the troubles
of common man. The poem is a satirical piece of writing intended to criticize the
affairs of upper class. Both the males and females of upper class that remain busy in
either in love games or the games of omber. Pope has made fun of women and their
unthinking minds which are concerned for their beauty aids alone. He presents
Belinda like an epic heroin. The stakes in this mock-heroic epic are Belinda's
maidenhood. Pope does not invoke a heavenly muse like Milton rather Ariel reads of
bad omens: "Beware of all, but most beware of Man!" Belinda's performance of her
toilette, assisted by Betty, her "inferior priestess", is described as the arming of the
epic hero: "Now awful Beauty put on all its arms" and then poet describes the
various creams and perfumes on Belinda's vanity invests them with a value and
exoticism they don't deserve: "Unnumbered treasures," "glittering spoil," "India's
glowing gems," and "all Arabia breathes from yonder box". The "Fairest of Mortals"
has "unnumbered Spirits round" flying as guards: "To Fifty chosen Sylphs, of special
Note, We trust th' important Charge, the Petticoat." Like great epic poems, we find
aerial creatures in this poem too. While numberless fallen angels are at hand for
Satan to build a meeting place of gold; there are unnumbered sylphs which help
Bellinda protect her chastity. They are punished if they are careless: "Whatever
spirit, careless of his Charge, His Post neglects, or leaves the Fair at large, Shall feel
sharp Vengeance soon o'ertake his Sins, Be stopt in Vials, or transfixt with Pins." A
lord likes Belinda and proposes her with love, she refuses his love and the lord
decides to take revenge upon her. He traps her in the game of cards and cut her
most beautiful lock from behind and Belinda regrets to have gone for the game and
dance parties. She is in deep gloom. She and all her female friends attack the baron
and want the lock of hair back. The lock of hair is lost and is not to be found.

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Short Summary of Rape of the Lock Canto-I: "Rape of the Lock" by Alexander Pope
The poet begins the mock epic poem in the manner as if it were some great event
ready to be unfolded but he himself clarifies that "slight is the subject"; therefore, no
real tale of glory is to be expected of it. The poet tells us that the poem is about a
lady Belinda that rejects a lord and the lord's assaulting that "gentle belle" and the
consequences. After this introduction, the poet leads us to the room of Belinda
where sun has of late been shining its rays but "sleepless lovers, just at twelve,
awake". So, she is sleeping with her "pillow prest". The guardian sylphs of Belinda
have caste the dream of such a "beau" which has caused her cheeks to shine. Belinda
is surrounded by a multitude of guardian angels: "Know then, unnumbered Spirits
round thee fly, The light Militia of the lower Sky" The poet ironically implies that the
task of these spirits is of varied kinds which include not only guarding the beauty and
chastity of the maids but also the tools of her beautification e.g. "Hang o'er the Box,
and hover round the Ring." These sylphs were once women and after their deaths,
they have transformed into sylphs. The poet describes in detail of the transition and
formation the sylphs that are entrusted with the task of Belinda's care. "For when
the Fair in all their Pride expire, To their first Elements the Souls retire" The poet
describes four types of the airy militia which guards the chastity of maids. The "fiery"
sort of women transform and assume the shape of "Salamander" and "Soft yielding"
turn into nymphs. While "the graver Prude sinks downward to a Gnome" and the
"light Coquettes" becomes sylphs and play about in the earth. Gnomes are the spirits
which were transformed of women that were too conscious of their face. These
spirits can assume any shape they please. The poet then directs his attack one
women claiming: "Know farther yet; Whoever fair and chaste Rejects Mankind, is by
some Sylph embrac'd" He advances in the same theme and asserts that these light
militia of air guard "the Purity of melting Maids" when they are about to fall during
midnight balls or masquerades and treacherous friends. These are the cause of the
women to reject a lord's love and these sylphs not only guard but also teach
numerous ways to attract men and how to blush while the poet accuses women of
having a "vacant brain". Whenever a woman is stray, these sylphs guide her way to
the correct path. The Ariel introduces itself as the guardian of Belinda: "Of these am
I, who thy Protection claim, A watchful Sprite, and Ariel is my Name." Ariel whispers
in the air of Belinda that it has seen some bad omen but does not know when and
where it is likely to take place: "I saw, alas! some dread Event impend" and then she
advises Belinda to be "most beware of Man!". Then Belinda wakes up by licking of
her dog, Shock. She unveils the toilet of wonderful "Unnumber'd Treasures ope at
once" that are meant to turn her beauty into a goddess of earth. "Th' inferior
Priestess, at her Altar's side, Trembling, begins the sacred Rites of Pride.

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Short Summary of Rape of the Lock Canto-II: "Rape of the Lock" by Alexander Pope
Pope describes the beauty of Belinda in a party near Thames where she alone is the
centre of all eyes. Belinda meets everyone with a smile and her eyes "shine on all
alike" like the sun while she never accepts anybody's love. She is never offensive
even when refusing: "Favours to none, to all she Smiles extends, Oft she rejects, but
never once offends." She is so beautiful that no one can be offended by her. She is
devoid of pride. And even if she had some errors: "Look on her Face, and you'll
forget 'em all". She has two locks of hair which hang behind her neck. These have
charming effects on the viewers and her appreciators. An "adventrous Baron the
bright Locks admir'd", he "wish'd, and to the Prize aspir'd". He was willing to do any
either to "by Force to ravish, or by Fraud betray". The poet says that it is seldom
asked of how one got successful, it is the success which is envied alone. Then the
poet makes fun of the petty standards of bravery and courage of the upper class of
his era and presents a comic scene of how that "adventurous Baron" built an altar to
love with gloves and love letters. On its side, Love gave ear and "granted half his
pray'r". Then it is evening and party is on. Belinda smiles and greets all. She is not
aware of the dread; this only Ariel worries. Ariel soon gathers all the militia of air to
give air to him. It reminds them that their kind has been entrusted various tasks such
big as to keep the sun and heavenly bodies within their spheres as well as to monitor
other worldly tasks such to guard the British throne while their "humbler Province is
to tend the Fair". It tells them that "This Day, black Omens threat the brightest Fair";
therefore, it appoints the duties of different spirits on various tasks: Petticoat is
entrusted "to Fifty chosen Sylphs, of special Note". It threatens the spirits that
neglect of duty would mean sharp vengeance by transfixing them in pins, bodkins or
capturing in vials. Soon the sylphs took charge; some on the ear pendants while
other on her ringlets and powder of her face. The poet says: "With beating Hearts
the dire Event they wait, Anxious, and trembling for the Birth of Fate."

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Short Summary of Rape of the Lock Canto-III: "Rape of the Lock" by Alexander Pope
Milton shows his resolve of writing a poem that may account for the fall of man as
well as to "justify the ways of God to men". He seeks heavenly Muse to assist him in
his cause which noble and sublime. Then he narrates how Satan, mistook the powers
granted by God, as his own powers and decided to revolt against God in heaven. He,
along-with his crew, was "hurled headlong" into the abyss of hell by a single act of
God. Milton then describes the woeful tortures of hell where Satan lay with his
"horrid crew". He calls hell the "dungeon horrible" which has no light but woes and
suffering without end. Soon, Satan comes to senses and realizes what utter misery
he has fallen into. He views with dismay his fallen angels that look like fallen leaves.
Then he addresses Beelzebub, his fallen partaker and a superior angel. Satan reminds
him of the lost glory and pride they shared together while they were in heaven
serving God. But here Satan shows "steadfast hate" for the rule of God. He
encourages Beelzebub to remain constant to their aim of war and they must take
revenge for their fall. Here he utters the words: "What though the field be lost? All is
not lost; the unconquerable Will" He then announces that from that day onward hell
is their new place to dwell. They shall be free in hell than heaven because "Tis' Better
to reign in Hell, then serve in Heav'n". He does not wish to serve God. Soon, God
recalls his angels back to heaven and leaves Satan and his crew free to roam in hell.
The chains of Satan are his fellow rebel angels are removed. Now Satan awakes all
his partakers and prepares them for an eternal war against God. He reminds them
that though they are inferior to God yet they can upset the plans of God by
corrupting his creation, Man. "As being the contrary to his high will Whom we resist.
If then his Providence Out of our evil seek to bring forth good, Our labour must be to
pervert that end, And out of good still to find means of evil" Then, Satan sets his
angels to dig gold out of the tracts of hell and with this gold they prepare a council
chamber in hell. All the devils attend the meeting there.

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Short Summary of Rape of the Lock Canto-IV: "Rape of the Lock" by Alexander Pope
The poet compares the rage of Belinda with those of "Kings in Battel seiz'd alive" and
"scornful Virgins who their Charms survive". Ariel leaves Belinda weeping while
Umbriel goes to the "cave of spleen". Here the queen of spleen is seated with maids
and here "stood Ill-nature like an ancient Maid". Here affectation and fake sickness
abode. Here strange things are seen like "teapots stand, one Arm held out" while
another is "bent" and "Maids turn'd Bottels, call aloud for Corks". She addresses the
queen thus: "Hail wayward Queen! Who rule the Sex to Fifty from Fifteen, Parent of
Vapors and of Female Wit, Who give th' Hysteric or Poetic Fit" She requests help
from the queen of spleen. The queen grants the wish and Umbriel returns with the
gift of: "There she collects the Force of Female Lungs, Sighs, Sobs, and Passions, and
the War of Tongues. A Vial next she fills with fainting Fears, Soft Sorrows, melting
Griefs, and flowing Tears." Here Belinda is lying in sorrow and agony of her loss. But
she also conscious of what the Baron would do with her hair: "Gods! shall the
Ravisher display your Hair, While the Fops envy, and the Ladies stare!" Sir Plume is
involved into the matter for getting back the lock of the lady but the Baron flatly
refuses to give back the hair. He intends to keep the hair forever with him as a token
of honour and shall display it openly: "This Hand, which won it, shall for ever wear".
Umbriel reaches Belinda and breaks the vial causing sorrow and gloom over Belinda.
And under the impact of the spleen, she feels guilty of having visited the Hampton
court. She thinks it was better if she had stayed home in loneliness. She curses the
day. She mocks herself by saying that the Baron should have cut "any hair" but not
that hair which added beauty to her neck. "Oh hadst thou, Cruel! been content to
seize Hairs less in sight, or any Hairs but these!"

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Short Summary of Rape of the Lock Canto-V: "Rape of the Lock" by Alexander Pope
Though Belinda pleaded and her words filled the people with tears but the Baron
remained unmoved. Clarissa asks why the ladies are praised and respected for their
beauties. She considers that all show off is mere futile when women are not
respectable. She also says that "Beauties in vain their pretty Eyes may roll; Charms
strike the Sight, but Merit wins the Soul." Then a fights ensues and during this fight
the precious lock of hair is lost. The poet describes the fight as a war of gods with
humanly passions without any dread of wound or injury. Soon, Belinda and party
winds and the Baron is got round from all sides. He surrenders and bows down
before fierce Belinda. But when she demands the lock, it is not to be found. They
search it on all sides. But nowhere is it found: "Some thought it mounted to the
Lunar Sphere". The poet claims that the muse saw it going to the heavens because all
things treasured are kept there. The poet says that Belinda should calm down
instead of getting annoyed for her lock of hair because she is mortal and so is her
hair. The lock of hair she has lost has grown invaluable; therefore, it will remain
forever and would rather earn Belinda some name: This Lock, the Muse shall
consecrate to Fame, And mid'st the Stars inscribe Belinda's Name!

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Themes and Important Topics: Rape of the Lock by Alexander Pope Immoral and
Carefree Manner of Upper Classes: Pope has presented the careless and casual
response of aristocracy in matters of life; he presents a society where high ups are
busy in pursuit of their own goals though trivial and vain. The society on display in
this poem is one that fails to distinguish between things that matter and things that
do not. What they care about is their own personal life, card games, pomp, vanity
and a life that is matchless to the ordinary and the common. He makes fun of their
stupid deeds. He considers it serious that a woman's hair is cut but by the nobility
because she has rejected a lord and such crimes are frivolities and funs of life! There
is a war! Alexander Pope exposes moral values prevalent in nobility by use of irony:
"In tasks so bold, can little men engage? And in soft bosoms dwells such mighty
rage?" Frivolties and Stupidity of Female Sex: Pope has made fun of women and their
unthinking minds which are concerned for their beauty aids alone. He presents
Belinda like an epic heroin. The stakes in this mock-heroic epic are Belinda's
maidenhood. Pope does not invoke a heavenly muse like Milton rather Ariel reads of
bad omens: "Beware of all, but most beware of Man!" Belinda's performance of her
toilette, assisted by Betty, her "inferior priestess", is described as the arming of the
epic hero: "Now awful Beauty put on all its arms" and then poet describes the
various creams and perfumes on Belinda's vanity invests them with a value and
exoticism they don't deserve: "Unnumbered treasures," "glittering spoil," "India's
glowing gems," and "all Arabia breathes from yonder box". The "Fairest of Mortals"
has "unnumbered Spirits round" flying as guards: "To Fifty chosen Sylphs, of special
Note, We trust th' important Charge, the Petticoat." Love: Love is no more than trifle
for the characters in this poem. For the poet, upper class believes only in victory and
defeat and love has no value in their unthinking minds. Belinda meets all with a smile
but yields to none. The Baron would love to have an affair but without feelings, it
would be considered a victory. Pride No beauty can be without pride and our dear
Belinda is the best of all. She takes due care not to let anyone go without looking at
her with a full look. This is for one such vanities of Belinda that the baron decides to
take revenge for by stripping her beloved lock of hair.

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"Rape of The Lock" As a Mock Epic Part I "The Rape of The Lock" is an excellent
example of mock-epic or mock heroic poem in English Literature. The epic had
always been considered as the most serious of literary forms; it had been used to
cater the lofty subject matters of love and war. The grand style with which Milton
applied the genre of epic to the intricacies of the Christian faith is evident of its
heights. Pope, in a seemingly lofty manner of great epics, wants to expose the life of
the nobility of his time. He does not want to mock the form of epic rather his aim is
to mock his society in its very failure to rise to epic standards. He exposes the
meanness of his age's nobility by contrasting it with the bravery and noble height of
traditional noble heroes. He makes his purpose clear in the beginning of the mock
epic: "What dire offense from amorous causes springs, What mighty contests rise
from trivial things, I sing ...slight is the subject, but not so the praise, If she inspire,
and he approve my lays". Where Milton used blank verse to suit his grand task,
Alexander Pope has used heroic couplet to "trivialize the grandeur". He has
purposely involved such content that is trivial to suit his goals in writing a mock epic.
His scope is purposefully narrow as well as his style purposefully light-hearted. Pope
declares that his poem will treat "amorous causes" and "mighty contests," the usual
subjects of epic poetry. His characters are no gods or of great sizes. He creates a
world of miniatures whether it is in the form of degradation of human character or
the aerials that aid Belinda. The subject of the poem is the Baron's love for Belinda's
icon (her hair). Therefore, the poem's "mighty contests" arise from the theft of
Belinda's hair, and not from the revolt of Satan in Heavens, his defeat or "man's first
disobedience". "Say what strange motive, goddess! could compel A well-bred lord to
assault a gentle belle? O say what stranger cause, yet unexplored, Could make a
gentle belle reject a lord?" Read Part II...

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"Rape of The Lock" As a Mock Epic Part II Pope has presented the careless and casual
response of aristocracy in matters of life; he presents a society where high ups are
busy in pursuit of their own goals though trivial and vain. The society on display in
this poem is one that fails to distinguish between things that matter and things that
do not. What they care about is their own personal life, card games, pomp, vanity
and a life that is matchless to the ordinary and the common. He makes fun of their
stupid deeds. He considers it serious that a woman's hair is cut but by the nobility
because she has rejected a lord and such crimes are frivolities and funs of life! There
is a war! Alexander Pope exposes moral values prevalent in nobility by use of irony:
"In tasks so bold, can little men engage? And in soft bosoms dwells such mighty
rage?" Pope has made fun of women and their unthinking minds which are
concerned for their beauty aids alone. He presents Belinda like an epic heroin. The
stakes in this mock-heroic epic are Belinda's maidenhood. Pope does not invoke a
heavenly muse like Milton rather Ariel reads of bad omens: "Beware of all, but most
beware of Man!" Belinda's performance of her toilette, assisted by Betty, her
"inferior priestess", is described as the arming of the epic hero: "Now awful Beauty
put on all its arms" and then poet describes the various creams and perfumes on
Belinda's vanity invests them with a value and exoticism they don't deserve:
"Unnumbered treasures," "glittering spoil," "India's glowing gems," and "all Arabia
breathes from yonder box". The "Fairest of Mortals" has "unnumbered Spirits round"
flying as guards: "To Fifty chosen Sylphs, of special Note, We trust th' important
Charge, the Petticoat." Like great epic poems, we find aerial creatures in this poem
too. While numberless fallen angels are at hand for Satan to build a meeting place of
gold; there are unnumbered sylphs which help Bellinda protect her chastity. They are
punished if they are careless: "Whatever spirit, careless of his Charge, His Post
neglects, or leaves the Fair at large, Shall feel sharp Vengeance soon o'ertake his
Sins, Be stopt in Vials, or transfixt with Pins.

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Top Ten Quotes From Rape of the Lock: by Alexander Pope "WHAT dire Offence from
am'rous Causes springs, What mighty Contests rise from trivial Things", Alexander
Pope. Share "Know farther yet; Whoever fair and chaste Rejects Mankind, is by some
Sylph embrac'd", Alexander Pope. Share "Honour is the Word with Men below" ,
Alexander Pope. Share "Oft when the World imagine Women stray, The Sylphs thro'
mystick Mazes guide thier Way", Alexander Pope. Share Beware of all, but most
beware of Man!", Alexander Pope. Share "Favours to none, to all she Smiles extends,
Oft she rejects, but never once offends.", Alexander Pope. Share "If to her share
some Female Errors fall, Look on her Face, and you'll forget 'em all", Alexander Pope.
Share "Our final hope is flat despair", Alexander Pope. Share "Fair Tresses Man's
Imperial Race insnare, And Beauty draws us with a single Hair.", Alexander Pope.
Share "For when Success a Lover's Toil attends, Few ask, if Fraud or Force attain'd his
Ends.", Alexander Pope. Share

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