This ppt is based on classroom presentation of Semester 1 students submitted to Smt. S. B. Gardi Department of English, Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University. In this presentation, I have focused on the representation of the society and concept of Rape in the mock heroic epic poem 'The Rape of the Lock'.

1. Representation of the
Society and the Concept of
Rape in ‘Rape of the Lock’

2. Prepared by Trushali Dodiya
Roll no:- 23
Enrollment no:- 4069206420220011
Sem:- 1(M. A.) Batch:- 2022-24
Paper no. :-102 Paper Code:- 22393
Paper name:- Literature of Neo Classicals
Submitted to:- Smt. S. B. Gardi Department of
English, M.K.B.U.
Dated on:- 16/10/2022
Email:- trushalidodiya84@gmail.com
2

3. Points to ponder:-
3
● Introduction
● Representation of the society
● The concept of ‘Rape’
● Why pope used a word
“Rape” in the tittle?
● Importance of Permission
● Conclusion

4. ● The Mock-Heroic Epic poem ‘The Rape of the Lock’
is written by Alexander pope.
● Horatian Satire- witty and amusing
● Satire on the society
● Based on the real incidents
Introduction
4

5. Representation of the Society
● The Rape of the Lock is based on a real incident of
Araella Fermore and Lord Petre.
● According to William J. Long
“He was a remarkably clear and adequate reflection of
the spirit of the age in which he lived” (Long)
● According to Jonathan J Szwec,
“Delicately chiding society in a sly but polished voice by
holding up a mirror to the follies and vanities of the upper
class.”(Szwec)
5

6. ● In the first two lines Pope gives a glimpse of what he wants
to convey through his poem.
“WHAT dire offence amorous causes springs,
What mighty contests rise from trivial things,” (Thomas The
Rape of the Lock)
● A gentle mockery of the upper class.
“Belinda still her downy pillow pressed”
“The morning dream that hovered o’er head”
● Female is a subject to desired or possessed

7. “Of these am I, who they protection claim,
A watchful sprite, and Ariel is my name.”
(Thomas The Rape of the Lock)
● Helicopter parenting, mostly for girls.
● We are not letting girls to go anywhere
alone.
● Vigdal and Bronnick notes that, “helicopter
parenting” may have negative implications
on the child’s mental health such as anxiety
and depression. (Vigdal and Brønnick)

8. The concept
of “Rape”
● According to Merriam Webster
Dictionary,
“Unlawful sexual intercourse carried
out forcibly or under threat of injury
against a person's will.”

9. Why Pope used a word “Rape”
in the tittle?
Two points can be noted while evaluating
theTittle;
a. To satirise society
b. To show importance of “Permission”
● Belinda’s Lock cut by Lord Petre
● Based on the incident
● Representation of Triviality of the matter
by using a heavy word

10. Importance of “Permission”
● Rape is presented to show
something done without
consent.
● Baron cuts Belinda's Hair Lock
without her permission as he
likes Balinda and her hair lock.
● Women is seized and
possessed Material

12. Conclusion
● J.R. Lowell remarks “The Rape of the Lock was
a mirror in the drawing room but it gave back a
faithful image of society”.(Kolanchery)

13. Chowdhury, Aniruddha Roy, director. Pink. Rising Sun Films, 2016.
Kolanchery, George. ““DEPICTION OF CONTEMPORARY LIFE IN THE RAPE OF THE LOCK.””
ResearchGate, 2016. Research Gate,
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/310832052_DEPICTION_OF_CONTEMPORARY
_LIFE_IN_THE_RAPE_OF_THE_LOCK.
Long, William J. English Literature. Copia Interactive, LLC, 2021.
Rape Definition & Meaning.” Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/rape. Accessed 14 October 2022.
Work Cited

14. “
Szwec, JOnathan J. ““Satire in 18th Century British Society: Alexander Pope's ‘The Rape of
the Lock’ and Jonathan Swift's ‘A Modest Proposal.’”” Inquiries Journal, vol. 3, 2011.
Inquiries Journals, http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1688/satire-in-18th-century-
british-society-alexander-popes-the-rape-of-the-lock-and-jonathan-swifts-a-modest-
proposal.
Thomas, C T, editor. The Rape of the Lock. Orient BlackSwan, 2012.
Vigdal, Julia Schønning, and Kolbjørn Kallesten Brønnick. “A Systematic Review of
‘Helicopter Parenting’ and Its Relationship With Anxiety and Depression.” Research
Gate , vol. 13, 2022, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.872981.

15. Thank you…