Special Education
The language and form of Pope's "Rape of the Lock" may appear alien to 21st century readers who are not familiar with the "mock-epic" written in this period to make fun of society and its values. However, the theme of the poem deals with a topic that is also contemporary: the role of woman in society.
In "Rape of the Lock," Pope describes how women are not valued for what is inside -- their personality and abilities -- but rather for their looks. This makes them similar to objects to purchase and use. As Pope writes: "If to her share some female errors fall/Look on her face, and you will forget them all" (II, 17-18) Regardless of a woman's faults, it is her beauty that will transcend them. Belinda recognizes that her future depends on her beauty and does all she can to enhance it. If she is unable to marry, and marry into wealth, what would become of her?
It is not surprising, then, that Belinda's makeup is all important. In fact, an early definition of cosmetics was "improving beauty." In the epic, she is performing her dressing table ritual: "Fair tresses man's imperial race ensnare/and beauty draws us with a single hair (II, 27-28). Like the sylphs, she must continually alter her style and looks to ever to be interesting to others that see her: "While every beam new transient colors flings/colors that change whenever they wave their wings (II. 65-67).
Belinda's self-worth is completely wrapped up in her outward appearance. When describing her beauty routine, Pope writes, "The inferior priestess, at her altar's side, / Trembling begins the sacred rites of pride" (I.127-128). Personal pride and satisfaction is to be achieved through her beauty rituals.
Pope also describes Belinda as the sun, which is radiant, beautiful, one-of-a-kind and hot. "Bright as the Sun, her Eyes the Gazers strike/and, like the sun, they shine on all alike." (II. 14-15). Belinda's value is based on her ability to shine over others and draw them to her. When people are around her, she feels important and, likewise, so do they.
Most important to Belinda is her hair, a symbol of her lasting beauty. "This nymph, to the destruction of mankind/nourished two locks, which graceful hung behind/in equal curls, and well conspired to deck/With shining ringlets her smooth ivory neck" (II. 19-22). When she loses a lock of her hair, she thus feels a great deal of shame and public humiliation (and fear op losing some of her beauty). She exclaims, "Oh, had I rather unadmired remained / in some love isle, or distant northern land... There kept my charms concealed from mortal eye, / Like roses that in deserts bloom and die" (IV.153-158). She wants to be hidden from society and all those who look upon her, for she is no longer the complete woman of beauty.
What happens to women, and Belinda in particular, if they do not have this extra quality? They have no reputation, they cannot get married or only to someone of a lower status, and will die poor. "Oh! If to dance all night, and dress all day/Charmed the small-pox, or chased old age away/Who would not scorn what housewife's cares produce,
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