The Rape of Lock& Question # 8

      The Rape of Lock is a story by Alexander Pope in which a lock was stolen by a young man named Robert.However, the story had a happy ending, which ended with laughter and ended the feud between the two families. I thought the story was just very normal without really any particular "special features". Whether Alexander Pope's purpose was to merely entertain or instruct people I don't know. But it was actually quite interesting. As the title suggests, the story is about the "rape" of lock. The stealing of a lock from a young, rich lady, which is quite extraordinary I suppose. As for further detail I would need to read more and try to analyze Alexander Pope's intentions.

Question # 8
I think the poem applies to contemporary social life, whether it's now or the time period in which the Pope wrote this poem. Although the social structure might be different, the basic idea is the same. The pope tries to say that there's something wrong with people's values; the most trivial things that shouldn't matter (according to the pope), is given great emphasis and value. It seems like people are too materialistic. Furthermore, I think many passages could serve as a satirical commentaries such as when Belinda yells and tries to find her keys or the last paragraph, in which the Pope mocks the "great hero."