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Thursday, August 8, 2013

Book Review: The Rape of the Lock



Title:          The Rape of the Lock (1717)
Author:      Alexander Pope
Pages:        38

               
  “What dire offence from am'rous causes springs,
   What mighty contests rise from trivial things,”

The opening lines of my last read title, ‘The Rape of the lock’ throw much light on the very theme of the book. Interestingly, based on the true story of a minor scuffle between two aristocratic families that took the form of intense enmity, the book was actually a reconciliation attempt by their common friend Alexander Pope. He was an 18th century English poet best remembered for his translation of the Greek epic ‘Homer’. Home-schooled by his rich catholic parents because he was physically deformed and suffered from constant bouts of illnesses of various kinds, Pope produced wonderful works and carved his name as a major literary figure at that time.

With Gnomes, Elves, Angles, Sylphs, lovely metaphors and the like, these verses take us to a magical world of courtship, ball games and flirting. The beautifully woven verses divided in five parts or ‘canto’ present an interesting story. This is considered to be a major work in the mock-heroic genre. It mocks a small incident and compares it to the Trojan war. In a nutshell, the plot goes like this:

Belinda, an 18 year old high-society girl, is extremely beautiful and attractive. She gets up at noon after dreaming of a warning of an ill omen given by her chief guardian Sprite, Ariel. However, she discards it as a casual dream. She then follows an elaborate ritual of dressing up for a party at Hampton Court where all the aristocratic people are coming to have a ball.
“Now awful Beauty puts on all its arms;
The fair each moment rises in her charms”
 Her maids and even supernatural Sylphs help her dress her perfectly for the party.
“The busy Sylphs surround their darling care,
These set the head, and those divide the hair,
Some fold the sleeve, whilst others plait the gown:
And Betty's prais'd for labours not her own.”
 Later at the Hampton court, she catches the fancy of an adventurous baron who sets his desire on one of the two lovely locks of her hair (on either side of her neck).
 “Th' advent'rous Baron the bright locks admir'd;
He saw, he wish'd, and to the prize aspir'd”

 Her Sylphs try to warn her many times but Belinda is busy enjoying Ombre (a card game). The  Baron prays to the God of love and with a little help from Clarissa (Belinda’s friend) and after a little effort, finally succeeds in cutting the lock. 
                “But when to mischief mortals bend their will,                 
How soon they find fit instruments of ill!
Just then, Clarissa drew with tempting grace
A two-edg'd weapon from her shining case”

When Belinda comes to know of this theft, she becomes withdrawn and depressed while the baron celebrates his victory. Hence, Umbriel (one of the Sprites) goes to the cave of spleen and brings a bag full of woes, sighs and tears and pours it on her.
                   “On the rich quilt sinks with becoming woe,                      
Wrapt in a gown, for sickness, and for show.
The fair ones feel such maladies as these,
When each new night-dress gives a new disease.”
 Therefore, she acquires a fiery mien and demands her lock back which the baron shamelessly refuses. Clarissa then gives her a long lecture on the merits of virtues over beauty but Belinda is undeterred.
 “Beauties in vain their pretty eyes may roll;
Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul."
 A squabble follows the fiery arguments in which suddenly the lock rises up the sky and becomes an ever shining star. Hence, even after all die, Belinda’s name will shine forever.
 “When, after millions slain, yourself shall die:
When those fair suns shall set, as set they must,
And all those tresses shall be laid in dust,
This Lock, the Muse shall consecrate to fame,
And 'midst the stars inscribe Belinda's name.”

The poem draws allegory from the Trojan War. The lock becomes the abducted queen Helen. Pope based the character of Belinda on Arabella Fermor and that of the Baron on her suitor, Lord Petre. Both came from aristocratic families and were friends to Pope. If you are a lover of verse, this one is not to be missed. A basic knowledge of Greek mythology would greatly help. The verses are high in quality and meaning. Needless to say, I would love to read more works of this great author! 


Some random excerpts are given below:

“On her white breast a sparkling Cross she wore,
Which Jews might kiss, and Infidels adore.”

 “If to her share some female errors fall,
Look on her face, and you'll forget 'em all.”

 “For when success a Lover's toil attends,
Few ask, if fraud or force attain'd his ends.”

 “Oh thoughtless mortals! ever blind to fate,
Too soon dejected, and too soon elate.
Sudden, these honours shall be snatch'd away,
And curs'd for ever this victorious day.”

 “She said: the pitying audience melt in tears.
But Fate and Jove had stopp'd the Baron's ears.”

 "Boast not my fall" (he cry'd) "insulting foe!
Thou by some other shalt be laid as low”

 “Not all the tresses that fair head can boast,
Shall draw such envy as the Lock you lost.”


(Images taken from the Internet)

40 comments:

  1. Just one word. Beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  2. People should hire you to review their books because you always do such an amazing job :)

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  3. hey OE!

    Thanks a ton!! How was ur vacation??

    :)

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  4. Loved reading your post A S. I am a big fan of Alexander Pope too. Long time back my father had narrated me the story of this poem during some conversation. Thank you for bringing that memory back as well :).. And keep reviewing more. Your reviews are really good.

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  5. Hi Nihar

    Thank you!! That's really nice, after reading this book, I am his fan too! Ur father seems to be really fond of literature. Thank again for liking the reviews :)

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  6. Thanks for sharing such lovely verses, nice to know about the book through this post :)

    Classics are rich in language and very meaningful too, glad to learn about this book, good review :)

    Good luck, Cheers!! :)

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  7. Hi Sai

    Thanks a lot for liking the review :)

    cheers!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Nice one. Great way to bring out the story in the verses. And lovely verses by A.Pope :D

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  9. Hi Shrikant

    Thanks a lot! ya he was an amazing writer!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi AS, this is interesting! Sounds like an extended Ballad. I like story poems, But I have not read anything that is so long. My longest ballad was The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes or maybe it was Lochinvar by Sir Walter Scott. I must read this.

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  11. Hi Meera!

    Thanks a lot!! ya this a very interesting book, I am sure u will enjoy :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. i loved the way you reviewed it !

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  13. This is a lovely post.Thanks for drawing my attention to what I have missed reading.
    These lines captured my fancy
    “Beauties in vain their pretty eyes may roll;
    Charms strike the sight, but merit wins the soul.”
    Thanks a bunch.

    ReplyDelete
  14. In today's readership scenario wherein Chetan Bhagats and Ravinder Singhs rule on high fan following, this review comes as a refreshing change and presents a very very encouraging horizon of good reading and appreciation. You have again presented a lucid review grasp-worthy of even the non-readers of classics and other heavy stuffs. Regards

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  15. Since i am not a big fan of poetry so thanks a lot for explaining it..
    Its a beautifully written poetry and you have explained it equally well.. :)

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  16. Hi Ankur,

    thanks a ton!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hello KP Sir

    Thanks a lot!! These wonderfully crafted verses are amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi Geetashree

    Thanks a lot for such an awesome compliment! I am so happy that u liked the review :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Pinks

    Thanks a lot dear!

    :D

    ReplyDelete
  20. You remind me that I must brush up on some poetry. Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi Carole

    Thanks a lot!

    :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. This is a book for me, what do you think?

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi Saru

    ya, I am sure u will enjoy this book :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hello Rahul

    Thanks a lot!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I thought today would be the apt day for this post.

    With a big sorry and thanks, at the same time, for your value addition to two of my posts with your promising work of art

    http://mindspeak-vanderloost.blogspot.in/2013/08/blog-post.html

    ReplyDelete
  26. nice post.take care.

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  27. The excerpts from this book are simply awesome .I would be getting this book for sure.Thanks for making all of us aware of this book .Thanks for sharing the information .

    -pramod

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  28. hi Anon

    thanks a lot!!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hi Pramod

    thanks a lot! I am sure you will love this book!

    ReplyDelete
  30. syed zainulAugust 26, 2013

    Assalamu Alaykum nice post

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hi Syed

    Walekum assalam

    Thanks a lot!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. A very different honest take. Loved the verses. Wonder why I never heard about this one.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hi Alka

    Thanks a lot!! Do try this book once, u'll love it!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Wonderful review and great experts!

    Best wishes, always!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Hi Margie

    Thanks a lot!


    :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. you are doing such an amazing job, great review. you are blessed with such amazing writing skills., enjoyed reading such an awesome stuff, first time here. nice blog,.
    visit mine if you have some time. my blog nathuramgodsee

    ReplyDelete
  37. How Can I Download 38 Pages.?.?.?

    ReplyDelete