Belindas Character:-

Literature as the mirror of the society receives an extraordinary artistic

treatment in Alexander Popes The rape of the lock. Here he swiftly employs a mock
epic style to satirize the beau-monde of eighteenth century England and
generates laughter from their own follies. The richness of the poem is reveals more
than a straight forward satirical attack. It presents the character as an exceptional
one in history of English literature.

From the very bigging of the poem , Belinda is introduced as a paragon of female
charm. Belinda is latin name which means Lovely to behold . infect She is the
epitome. So, Pope describes her in superlatives- the fairest of mortals. Thus she
becomes the perfect incarnation of the goddess of beauty. Such beauty and charm
can work miracle and even eclipse the sun by bringing joy and gaiety into the world
of fashion. As the poet says-

Belinda smilled and all the world was gay

This hypnotizing beauty with her sparkling cross and her white breast attains such a
height that it can cover up her flirtation and faults-

if to her share some female errors full

Look an her face and you will forget them all

But in spite of this heavenly beauty, the contradiction of the contemporary society
strongly reflects in her as pope models Belindas character on the real life person
person of miss. Arabella Fermor. She comes up with all the frivolity, superficiality
and pretensions of the 18th century Swish-English society. The impeccable qualities
and the grace of her character are balanced by these unfixed and non specified
faults.

The description of Belindas morning beautification ritual revels her devotion

to her religion of Narcissism. After leaving her bed at noon her main agenda is to
decorate herself with expensive beautifying articles. Thus the toilet table becomes
like a church to her and her cosmetics like her offerings to the goddess of beauty.
This immortal devotion leads her to the confusion of values, where she places Bible
with her loads of beauty accessories and love letters-

here files of pins extend their shining rows

Puffs , Powders, Patches ,Bibles,Billet-doux

The bible is seen as a trinket for the adornment of her dressing table, along with
other beauty products. The main force of this passage is satire but alongside the
satire Pope reveals a hint of fascination with the charm and delicacy of Belinda and
her cosmetic devotion. This cosmetic devotion leads her beauty to be more
seductive and takes the consciousness of the young lovers in a sway, which
increases her self-importance and stirs up her vanity-

Favors to none, to all she smiles extends

Oft she rejects but never once offends

This revels another trait of Belindas character that she is very much polite. She
breaks the heart of the young lovers but does not want to reject them harshly. She
loves to hear their prayer for her love. But she has no intention to give her heart.

The above analysis of Belindas character sketch shows that Pope criticizes the
vanities and frivolities of eighteenth century women. He censures Belindas false
glamour and inversions of values. The shallowness of her character and the
superficiality of her nature have been skill fully exposed in these two cantos. These
two cantos also sharply contrast her bright appearance. Thus Popes attitude to
Belinda is very mixed and complicated mockingly yet tender, admiring and yet
critical. Infect through the character of Belinda pope waves various layers of irony.
Though he certainly pokes fun of womens cosmetic concerns and tendency toward
triviality, but also makes a significant distinction between what may be called
innate femaleness and learned female behavior