I would like to start off by saying that I probably have completely misinterpreted what I have read, but it is the story that I am going with.
In the letter before the poem itself written by Pope to Mrs. Arabella Fermor, Pope dedicates the poem to her as well as reminding the audience that Belinda, the main character of the poem, is only a representative of Mrs. Fermor's beauty, nothing else. When I first initially read this, I didn't care, but looking back now, I am very thankful for the disclaimer.
In my opinion, Belinda in The Rape of The Lock is a woman that Wollstonecraft would have berated for not pursuing an education. The way that she gets ready in the morning gives us this first indication because she does absolutely nothing herself and gives her help no recognition for her efforts. Furthermore, the Sylphs are described as the best of the best, and they only protect and notice those who disregard humanity and love as a whole. Pope seems to suggest with the Court that she attends that she is looking for marriage, but she does not need love to do it. Finally, and the most obvious of examples, is the outrage that follows from her getting her hair cut off.
I know that a lot of different views have come out of reading this piece, all of them contrary to each other. I think that is the reason that Pope was considered the greatest poet of his time, because he made people think about what they read.
PS. I commented on Drew's and Rebecca's posts.
In the letter before the poem itself written by Pope to Mrs. Arabella Fermor, Pope dedicates the poem to her as well as reminding the audience that Belinda, the main character of the poem, is only a representative of Mrs. Fermor's beauty, nothing else. When I first initially read this, I didn't care, but looking back now, I am very thankful for the disclaimer.
In my opinion, Belinda in The Rape of The Lock is a woman that Wollstonecraft would have berated for not pursuing an education. The way that she gets ready in the morning gives us this first indication because she does absolutely nothing herself and gives her help no recognition for her efforts. Furthermore, the Sylphs are described as the best of the best, and they only protect and notice those who disregard humanity and love as a whole. Pope seems to suggest with the Court that she attends that she is looking for marriage, but she does not need love to do it. Finally, and the most obvious of examples, is the outrage that follows from her getting her hair cut off.
I know that a lot of different views have come out of reading this piece, all of them contrary to each other. I think that is the reason that Pope was considered the greatest poet of his time, because he made people think about what they read.
PS. I commented on Drew's and Rebecca's posts.
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