The Rape of the Lock, and Other Poems
- First published
- 1714
- Reading level
- Plain English
- Price
- Free
About the book
"The Rape of the Lock, and Other Poems" by Alexander Pope is a mock-heroic narrative poem first published in 1712. This celebrated example of high burlesque transforms a trivial social incident—a nobleman secretly snipping a lock of a young lady's hair—into an elaborate epic parody complete with supernatural guardians and classical conventions. Pope treats the ensuing family feud with wit and elegance, elevating drawing-room drama to mythological proportions while gently satirizing the vanities and sensibilities of eighteenth-century aristocratic society.
- English poetry
- Young women
- Catholics
Updated September 2026. Public domain in the USA. Text and summary from Project Gutenberg eBook #9800. The Rape of the Lock, and Other Poems on Wikipedia.
