Sexual Implication in The Rape of the Lock

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      Introduction. Though The Rape of the Lock is a poem of frivolity and satire, its aim was reconciliation between two families which had quarreled on account of cutting of the hair of a maid by a lord. The eighteenth-century critics regarded it as a work of satire on the frivolous activities of the aristocracy.

      The 20th century critic regards The Rape of the Lock, a poem on the loss of virginity. Undoubtedly; Pope did not know of Freud's interpretation of sex as the latter was born in the present century. The twentieth-century critics have read sex symbolism in this poem.

      Stanley Edgar Hyman's Views. Hyman thinks that the word "Lock” stands for the female organ and all keys are fit in it. The cutting of the Lock may be regarded as a sexual act. This becomes clear as Belinda protests and cries after losing her lock of hair. Of course, the restoration of the Lock is impossible like the restoration of virginity. Hyman also refers to the line, "And maids, turned bottle, call aloud for cork", which make it clear that women are fond of sex. It may not be possible for us to agree with Pope's view of sex. There is the reference to the public hair and the private hair which grows on the part of the women. Belinda refers to them when she bewails the loss of the lock. Much more than the loss of the private hair:

"Oh, hadst thou, cruel! been content to seize,

Hair less in sight, or any hairs but these!"

      These lines indicate the sexual implication.

      G. Wilson Knight's Views. Wilson Knight regards the poem as a synthesis of the sexual and the religious, and this is organic to its humor. He dwells on the Eros cult. Just as the God of Love was worshipped in ancient times, in the same way, the goddess of beauty was worshipped in the eighteenth century.

      Cleanth Brooks Views. Brooks, however, believed that sexual symbolism runs throughout the poem. He refers to the line pointed out by the critics, and particularly the game of Ombre as a symbol of the war of the sexes. Every card and every move in the game suggests some sexual image. The following lines clearly indicate the sexual implication of the game:

Clubs, diamonds, hearts, in wild disorder seen,

With throngs promiscuous strew the level green.

The knave of diamonds tries his wily arts,

And wins (oh shameful chance) the queen of hearts

      Conclusion. The first two lines of the poem, give below certain words like "assault" (Criminal act) and "rejects" which have sexual implications:

Say what strange Motive, Goddess! cou'd compel

A well bred Lord to assault a gentle Belle?

O, say what strange cause, yet unexplor'd

Could make a gentle Belle reject, a Lord?

      Similarly, at the end of the poem, Thalestris incites Belinda to punish the Baron for his criminal act. She calls the lover "ravisher":

"Gods! shall the Ravisher display your Hair;

While the Fops envy, and the ladies stare!"

      The mention of the losing of honor by Belinda clearly refers to the loss of her chastity.

      Besides this, there are many suggestive words and phrases like "soft bosoms" "winning lips", the "melting maids," "midnight masquerades", "white breast," "the charge of the petticoat" which have obviously sexual implications and are not capable of giving any other meaning.

      All in all, though sex is not the main theme of the poem, it has been sufficiently exploited to rouse the interest and curiosity of the reader. Pope's main aim is to speak for the need of good sense and tolerance in human relationships. The moral lesson is contained in Clarissa's speech which pleads for healthy relationship between men and women through companionship of love and marriage. Good humor and good sense are as essential in life as love and beauty.