"The Rape of the Lock" as a picture of contemporary society.

We all know that literature is the "mirror of society". "The Rape of the Lock" by Alexander Pope is no exception. It is the vivid representation of contemporary society but in a mocking way. The poet deals with the aristocratic life of London of the then time. The picture of society as well as life presented here is minute and clear. A critic has aptly said, "It is a page torn from the pretty and pleasure seeking life of the 18th century London."


The lifestyle of London became so mean and fashion had become very low in taste. Corruption was at its peak at that time. Social scandals became a part of their life, specially sexual scandals were very much frequent and provided gossip elements to the scandal-mongers at coffee houses , in Hampton Court, where "at every word a reputation dies."


In this mock heroic epic all these things are very clearly portrayed by our poet. The whole poem is based on such scandalous incident between two families. Belinda, the heroine of the poem is a typical belle of the city. She is a sort of butterfly who is flirting with all the flowers. The description of her toilet is also quite justified in the matter of describing the contemporary society. "The toilet is the great scene of business and the right adjustment of a hair is the principal employment of the lives of the fashionable ladies" of Pope's time. They were not serious about their lives. They were busy in the deeds like laughing, singing, dancing, games of cards etc. They passed their time by attending parties. Here it is also described. Here the game of ombre is played in Hampton's Court and Belinda wins.


All these incidents of the then time is quite amazingly described in this poem. That is why it is very aptly said that it is Pope's masterpiece. His expression of satire is clearly visible here.