Supernatural machineries in The Rape of the Lock

-
In Alexander Pope's "The Rape of the Lock," the supernatural machinery plays a significant role in shaping the narrative and satirical elements of the poem. The supernatural machinery refers to the involvement of supernatural beings, specifically sylphs and gnomes, who represent the forces of nature and operate in the background of the story. Here are some key aspects of the supernatural machinery in "The Rape of the Lock":

1. Sylphs and Gnomes: The poem introduces the concept of sylphs and gnomes, ethereal beings who are invisible to humans but have specific roles in maintaining order and protection. Sylphs are associated with the realm of air and are tasked with guarding and preserving the beauty and virtue of women. Gnomes, on the other hand, are earth-dwelling creatures who aid in the preservation of women's cosmetics and personal belongings. These supernatural beings serve as intermediaries between the human world and the divine, working behind the scenes to influence events.

2. Belinda's Protection: The main function of the sylphs is to protect Belinda, the protagonist, from any harm or misfortune. They form a celestial army dedicated to safeguarding her beauty and social reputation. The sylphs are portrayed as diligent and attentive, constantly watching over Belinda and intervening to prevent any potential threats. Their presence creates a sense of whimsy and fantasy while also satirizing the obsession with beauty and social status.

3. Mock Epic Elements: The use of supernatural machinery in "The Rape of the Lock" aligns with the mock epic genre of the poem. Pope employs epic conventions and applies them to trivial, everyday events, such as the cutting of a lock of hair. The involvement of sylphs and gnomes in these events adds an exaggerated and comical dimension to the narrative. By employing supernatural beings in a seemingly trivial context, Pope satirizes the grandiosity and inflated importance often associated with epic storytelling.

4. Social Commentary: The presence of the supernatural machinery serves as a vehicle for Pope's social commentary. Through the sylphs and gnomes, he mocks the frivolous concerns and trivialities of upper-class society, particularly their obsession with appearance, fashion, and social prestige. The supernatural beings embody the artificiality and superficiality of this world, highlighting the disconnect between their concerns and more significant matters.

5. Moral Lesson: The supernatural machinery also conveys a moral lesson. Despite the sylphs' efforts to protect Belinda, her lock of hair is ultimately cut, symbolizing the loss of her innocence and the vain nature of her pursuits. The supernatural beings' failure to prevent this act underscores the limitations of their power and the futility of placing excessive value on external beauty and material possessions.

In "The Rape of the Lock," the supernatural machinery serves multiple purposes. It adds a fantastical element to the narrative, satirizes societal values, contributes to the mock epic style, and conveys moral messages. By employing supernatural beings in a trivial context, Pope critiques and ridicules the superficialities and vanities of his contemporary society.

Popular posts from this blog

"Cry, the Peacock": A Detailed Summary and Analysis

-
Introduction Cry, the Peacock is Anita Desai ’s first novel. It was published in 1963. The novel explores a woman’s emotional struggles and her experience of loneliness and despair. The story focuses on Maya, the main character, and her troubled marriage. She suffers from isolation and mental instability. Anita Desai presents the fragility of the human mind and the difficulties of marriage. Brief Summary The novel takes place in post-independence India. However, the story focuses more on personal struggles than political events. Maya is a young woman who lives with her husband, Gautama. Gautama is a practical and intellectual man. He does not show emotions, and he does not understand Maya’s feelings. Maya is sensitive and emotional. She wants love and affection, but Gautama does not give her the attention she needs. Maya feels lonely and neglected. She spends most of her time thinking about her life. She creates fantasies in her mind to escape her loneliness. One important symbol in t...
Read more

Phonetics and Phonology : Definition and difference

-
Phonetics and phonology are two closely related subfields of linguistics that both deal with the sounds of speech, but they focus on different aspects of these sounds. Phonetics is the study of the physical properties of speech sounds, specifically how they are produced, transmitted, and perceived. It is concerned with the actual sounds themselves—how they are articulated, how they travel through the air as sound waves, and how they are received by the ear and processed by the brain. Phonetics is typically divided into three subfields: 1. Articulatory Phonetics : This branch focuses on the physical production of speech sounds. It looks at the movements of the vocal organs (such as the tongue, lips, and vocal cords) and how these movements create different speech sounds. It studies how different places and manners of articulation (e.g., voicing, nasality, consonant types like stops or fricatives) contribute to the production of speech. 2. Acoustic Phonetics : This branch is concerned w...
Read more

Dhwani Theory by Anandvardhana: an introduction

-
Anandvardhana was a Kashmiri court poet and literary critic, honored with the title of Rajanak during King Avantivarman's reign.  Anandavardhana authored the Dhvanyāloka , or A Light on Suggestion (dhwani), a work articulating the philosophy of "aesthetic suggestion" (dhwani, vyañjanā). Anandavardhana is credited with creating the dhwani theory. He wrote that dhwani (meaning sound, or evocation) is the "soul" or "essence" (ātman) of poetry (kavya).  Anandavardhana said, "When the poet writes, he creates a eloquent field of emotions." To understand the poetry, the reader or hearer must be on the same wavelength. Important points~ •Dhvani theory is a theory of suggestion that is considered to be the soul of poetry.  •The theory of Dhvani is a major contribution to Sanskrit literary theory.  •The theory of Dhvani suggests that the main goal of good poetry is to evoke a mood or "flavor" (rasa).  •The theory of Dhvani suggests that this...
Read more