I think the best way to characterize Belinda is to use the toilet scene. The toilet scene is an incredibly high brow description of Belinda getting herself ready to go out.
The first thing that I want to point out is that Belinda must be wealthy. She has servants that help her do her hair and makeup. That's not the norm. It wasn't then, and it isn't now. Having servants makes you wealthy.
...
I think the best way to characterize Belinda is to use the toilet scene. The toilet scene is an incredibly high brow description of Belinda getting herself ready to go out.
The first thing that I want to point out is that Belinda must be wealthy. She has servants that help her do her hair and makeup. That's not the norm. It wasn't then, and it isn't now. Having servants makes you wealthy.
The busy Sylphs surround their darling Care;
These set the Head, and those divide the Hair,
Some fold the Sleeve, while others plait the Gown;
And Betty's prais'd for Labours not her own.
I've always thought that Belinda is incredibly vain as well. I realize that women put on makeup to improve their looks. That doesn't make all women vain. But Belinda is vain, because the beautification of herself is likened to a form of worship.
A heav'nly Image in the Glass appears,
To that she bends, to that her Eyes she rears;
Th' inferior Priestess, at her Altar's side,
Trembling, begins the sacred Rites of Pride.
Self worship is essentially the definition of narcissism. Honestly, if Pope was writing this poem today, he would have found a way to describe selfie pictures being taken of Belinda.
I would also have to say that Belinda is quite sweet. . . while things are going her way. But if things don't go according to plan, or somebody messes with her looks, watch out. For example, she goes into crazy rage mode when Lord Petre cuts off one of her curls.
No comments:
Post a Comment