"The Rape of Lock" by Alexander Pope is the most perfect example of mock-epic genre. The poem functions as a satire on interesting facts of fashionable life. The Rape of the Lock was written because of a brawl between two Roman Catholic families, the Fermors, and the Petres caused by an irrelevant incident: (when the Baron cuts off a lock of Belinda's hair). The main protagonist is Belinda and she acts as an epic hero. Pope's way of satirizing the fashionable society and its non ... -serious values is represented in the style of an epic poem, through the use of familiar epic devices. In the be...

• Word Count: 775
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... were clearly shown in his writing. The criticism of Pope's satirical work was always very clear and in good taste. In The Rape of the Lock, Pope did not come out straight out and criticize the two families for blowing the situation out of proportion. Instead he symbolized the event into a comical-heroic poem to two families recognize the absurdity of the feud. The Rape of the Lock shows why most everyone had the utmost respect for Alexander Pope. On ... the other hand, Jonathan Swift represented the complete opposite of what Pope did. Swift did what ... ...

• Word Count: 392
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School