Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
ALEXANDER POPE
THE RAPE OF THE LOCK[An Exhaustive Critical Study, with Text,
Paraphrase, Notes and Explanations]
RAMJI LALL, M.A.Formerly PrincipalDyal Singh College
(University of Delhi)New Delhi
Thirty-Sixth Edition2009
RAMA BROTHERS INDIA PVT. LTD.EDUCATIONAL PUBLISHERS
Janak Plaza, 2021, Bank Street,Karol Bagh, New Delhi - 110 005
Price : Rs. 110.00
© Reserved by the Publishers (Excluding the Text)
ISBN 81-7581-001-7
First Edition : 1970Thirty-Sixth Edition : 2009
Published by : RAMA BROTHERS INDIA PVT. LTD.(Educational Publishers)Janak Plaza, 2021, Bank Street, Karol Bagh, New Delhi - 110 005.Phone : 28757313, 28755936Tele-Fax : 91-11-28755936E-Mail : [email protected] : [email protected] : www.ramabrothers.com
Laser Typesetting at DEVIKA GRAPHICS2125/59, Naiwala, Karol Bagh, New Delhi - 110 005.Cell. : 9910600554
Cover Printed at Mudrak, Delhi - 110 091.
Printed at Bright Printers, Pahari Bhojla,Delhi - 110 006.
All rights reserved. No part of thispublication may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by anymeans, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or
otherwise, without the prior written permission of the Publishers.
PREFACE TO THE THIRTY-SIXTH EDITION
“A dainty little gem and Pope’s most perfect piece”---this description ofThe Rape of the Lock sums up the character of this poem. The Rape of theLock takes us into an enchanted, brilliant world in which almost nothing isdull. The poem has been called a jewel of many facets, each shining with arare brilliance.
The purpose of the present critical study of the poem to introduce thereader to those many facets. Although the poem has in some respects lostits appeal for the modern reader, its brilliant wit and ingenious fancy stillcontinue to delight, entertain, and stimulate all those who go through it.
This book has proved immensely useful to students from the examinationpoint of view. The fact that yet another edition of it has become necessaryshows that its utility continues undiminished even as the greatness of thepoem as a satire remains undimmed.
New Delhi PUBLISHERSJanuary, 2009
PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION
The critique on a famous poem is intended to benefit advanced studentsof the English Literature at the Indian universities. The various aspects of thepoem have been considered and discussed at some length. A glance at thecontents will show that an exhaustive critical study of the poem has beenmade. This addition to the existing editions of the The Rape of the Lock canbe defended only with reference to the utility of this book for the class ofreaders for whom it is designed. The reception accorded by students to mybooks on Browning, Tennyson, Matthew Arnold, and Keats also justifies thisventure on my part, and I would like to make the same observation about thisbook which I previously made about each of others: “No originality isclaimed for this work. It is not a research paper. The object was to select andco-ordinate critical material and to present it, with suitable illustrations fromthe text, in an easily intelligible and assimilable form.”
The inclusion of the text and its paraphrase should add to the value of thisbook for examination purposes.
New Delhi RAMJI LALLAugust, 1970
CONTENTS
1. A Short Biographical Sketch of Pope 1
2. The Poetic Works of Pope 5
3. Pope as a Poet 8
4. The Age of Pope
Or
The Classical Age 19
5. The Rape of the Lock (A Critical Analysis)
(1) Introduction 25
(2) A Critical Analysis of The Rape of the Lock 26
(3) Miscellaneous Comments on The Rape of the Lock byCritics 36
(4) The Rape of the Lock as a Mock-EpicOr
Mock-Heroic or Heroi-Comical Poem 46
(5) The Machinery of The Rape of the Lock 52
(6) The Rape of the Lock as a Picture of ContemporaryFashionable Life
Or
The Rape of the Lock as a Picture of the Aristocratic Lifeof the Eighteenth Century 57
(7) The Rape of the Lock as a Social Satire 62
(8) The Rape of the Lock—The Most Exquisite Specimen ofFiligree Work 68
(9) The Moral of The Rape of the Lock 70
(10) Characters in The Rape of the Lock 73
(11) The Cave of Spleen 82
(12) Sexual Implications of the Poem 84
(13) Points of Style and Technique 86
6. THE RAPE OF THE LOCK[Text with Complete Paraphrase] 90
7. Explanatory and Critical Notes 140
(viii)
8. Important Questions with Answers
Q. 1. Pope has been regarded as pre-eminently the poet of hisage. Consider this aspect of his work with reference toThe Rape of the Lock.
Or
In The Rape of the Lock Pope has represented boththe achievements and the limitations of eighteenthcentury English society. Examine this statement withillustrations from the poem.
Or
In Pope’s work the social life of the time is reflected as ina mirror. Illustrate this from The Rape of the Lock.
Or
Examine The Rape of the Lock as an example of the closerelationship between literature and society in theeighteenth century.
Or
Show how The Rape of the Lock conveys to us the glitterand elegance of the eighteenth century. 200
Q. 2. What is a mock-heroic poem ? Illustrate fully the mock-heroic quality of The Rape of the Lock.
Or
Pope described The Rape of the Lock as an heroi-comicalpoem. What did Pope mean and how far does he succeedin his purpose ?
Or
The Rape of the Lock is a poem largely distinguishedamong mock-epics, by employing a variety of ironiccontrasts. Discuss.
Or
The Rape of the Lock is the perfection of the mock-heroic, said Hazlitt. Elucidate the statement.
Or
Write a note on the mock-heroic character of The Rapeof the Lock. 203
Q. 3. Consider The Rape of the Lock as a social satire.Or
Does The Rape of the Lock justify Pope’s claim togreatness as a satirical poet ?
(ix)
Or
Discuss the statement that the mockery in The Rape of theLock takes different forms and employs different devices.
Or
What aspects of the life of the eighteenth century aresatirised by Pope in The Rape of the Lock ?
Or
“The Rape of the Lock stands forward as the mostexquisite example of ludicrous poetry.” Discuss. 207
Q. 4. “Pope aims at beauty, and The Rape of the Lock, a poemwith no substance at all, is nothing but grace.” Do youagree with this statement ? Give illustrations in support ofyour answer.
Or
“The most airy, the most ingenious, the most delightful ofPope’s compositions.” Consider this estimate of TheRape of the Lock.
Or
What features of The Rape of the Lock make it a source ofperpetual delight ? Illustrate your answer.
Or
What qualities of The Rape of the Lock do you like mostand why ? 210
Q. 5. What part does the supernatural “machinery” play in TheRape of the Lock ? Does it heighten the mock-heroiceffect ?
Or
Write a brief account of the nature, activities, and role ofthe supernatural beings in The Rape of the Lock.
Or
Comment on Pope’s use and treatment of naturalmachinery in The Rape of the Lock.
Or
What is meant by “machinery” in an epic poem ? Whatuse of machinery does Pope make in The Rape of theLock ? 213
Q. 6. Dr. Johnson said that in The Rape of the Lock “new thingsare made familiar, and familiar things are madenew.” Elucidate and illustrate this remark. 217
Q. 7. “......And the effect of the poem The Rape of the Lock lies
in the exquisite adjustment between the epic andmundane planes on which it moves.” Justify.
Or
Trace the progress of the action in The Rape of the Lockso as to show the balance between the mock-epic worldand the every-day world. 220
Q. 8. Would you regard Belinda as a goddess, as a prettyspoiled child, or as a flirt ?
Or
Explain the statement that the personality of Belinda inThe Rape of the Lock appears in many different lights.
Or
“This Cleopatra-like variety indicates simultaneously hercharm and a vacuous lack of character.” Discuss thisestimate of Belinda in The Rape of the Lock. 223
Q. 9. Write a note on the construction of The Rape of the Lock.
Or
“Nothing could better illustrate Pope’s power of bearingin mind at one and the same time general design andparticular detail.” Discuss with reference to The Rape ofthe Lock.
Or
Discuss the statement that The Rape of the Lock is atriumph of technique and construction. 226
Q. 10. The Rape of the Lock is a “page torn from the pettypleasure-seeking life of a fashionable beauty.” Discuss. 229
Select Bibliography 234
(x)
