Alexander Pope is known for his harsh but intelligent criticisms of English high society. Her acclaimed poem The Rape of the Lock argues for female passivity and subordination in marriage; however, the fact that they are endorsed in Pope's satirical world demonstrates his detestation of these ideas and, more importantly, of the society (made up of both men and women) that supports these conventions. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayIn many ways Belinda is infantilized; her judgment and intelligence reduced to that of a child and subject to an authority figure of some kind. For example, the Pope writes: "Some secret truths, hidden by learned pride, are revealed to lonely handmaids and children" (ROTL 1.37-38). Here, "learned pride" represents men who, despite all their erudition, are unaware of the existence of chimerical creatures. Women, however, do not give up believing in machines because they are naive like children. His "ideas crowd an empty brain" (ROTL 1.83) suggesting that he is not capable of any substantial consideration, certainly not anything that transcends his "childish thoughts" (ROTL 1.29). Later, she is depicted as youthful and unreasonable during her crying fit, while the Baron is heroic, surpassing even Aeneas in steadfastness over his refusal to return the lock of hair (ROTL 5.5). Another way she is compared to a child is her inability. to fend for herself and therefore need the Sylphs, who "guard the purity of the melting handmaids" (ROTL 1.71). Belinda has been "claimed" (ROTL 1.105) by Ariel, which shows how the woman is not only objectified by the men she encounters, but also by the Sylphs. Although it is specified that their gender is interchangeable, Ariel, the Sylph primarily responsible for Belinda's well-being, is identified as male with the male pronoun "he" (ROTL 1.115, etc.). By defining Ariel as a man, Pope places Belinda in the care of another manly figure. An important aspect of the boy/woman comparison is that ignorance is attributed to innocence. This is intended to demonstrate the virtue and sexual purity that a woman was expected to possess, but this wholesomeness is undermined throughout the poem by repeated suggestions of Belinda's sexual desire and even the satiety of this desire. First, the poet describes how “a birthday night boyfriend…even in her sleep made her cheek shine.” (ROTL 1.23-24) This alludes to the sexual desire so powerful in Belinda that she cannot escape it while she sleeps. Pope's discussion of female desire extends to the root of it and the ease with which a man can stimulate it. For example, in Canto 1, lines 86-90, Pope writes: And with sweet sounds, "Your Grace" greets their ear. It is these that soon contaminate the female soul, They teach the infantile cheeks a hidden blush to know, And the little hearts to palpitate. to a fiancé." The lines suggest that flattery "taints" the female soul from youth. Furthermore, their flushed cheeks and throbbing hearts denote the awakening of their passions. Belinda's desire is mostly fiercely attacked in verses 105-110. Here Pope juxtaposes her honor to a brocade. This implies that her worldly possessions (a brocade was usually made of rich fabric and was very expensive) were valued at the same level as her nobility honor would have been easy to stain article of clothing. Point Pope makes in his mentions of female desire is that attention is sought more than.)