Summary:
“The Lady’s Dressing Room” is a satirical poem written by Jonathan Swift in 1732. The poem humorously critiques the unrealistic expectations men have about women’s beauty by exposing the unglamorous reality of a lady’s dressing room. The poem follows a man named Strephon, who sneaks into his lover Celia’s dressing room, expecting to find an elegant and magical space. Instead, he is horrified by the filth, unpleasant odors, and various beauty products that reveal the effort behind a woman’s appearance.
Swift uses irony and exaggerated descriptions to mock both men’s idealized views of women and the artificiality of beauty standards. The poem also reflects themes of disillusionment, vanity, gender expectations, and the conflict between appearance and reality. Through this humorous yet critical portrayal, Swift exposes the gap between how women are perceived and the reality of their daily grooming rituals.
MCQs:
- Who wrote The Lady’s Dressing Room?
A) Alexander Pope
B) Jonathan Swift
C) John Milton
D) Samuel Johnson
Answer: B) Jonathan Swift - In which year was The Lady’s Dressing Room published?
A) 1710
B) 1725
C) 1732
D) 1745
Answer: C) 1732 - Who is the main male character in the poem?
A) Strephon
B) Damon
C) Belinda
D) Celadon
Answer: A) Strephon
The Lady’s Dressing Room - What does Strephon discover in Celia’s dressing room?
A) Expensive jewelry
B) A love letter
C) Filth, beauty products, and bad smells
D) A hidden treasure
Answer: C) Filth, beauty products, and bad smells - What is the main theme of the poem?
A) The beauty of nature
B) The contrast between appearance and reality
C) The power of love
D) The importance of wealth
Answer: B) The contrast between appearance and reality - How does Strephon feel after discovering the truth about Celia’s dressing room?
A) More in love with her
B) Disillusioned and disgusted
C) Inspired to write poetry
D) Indifferent
Answer: B) Disillusioned and disgusted - What literary device is prominently used in the poem?
A) Metaphor
B) Satire
C) Personification
D) Hyperbole
Answer: B) Satire - What does Swift criticize in this poem?
A) The monarchy
B) The dishonesty of women
C) Unrealistic beauty standards and gender expectations
D) The power of love
Answer: C) Unrealistic beauty standards and gender expectations - How does the poem challenge romanticized ideas about women?
A) By showing them as perfect and ideal
B) By revealing the effort and mess behind their beauty
C) By portraying them as goddesses
D) By comparing them to angels
Answer: B) By revealing the effort and mess behind their beauty - What is the tone of The Lady’s Dressing Room?
A) Romantic and emotional
B) Humorous and satirical
C) Tragic and depressing
D) Serious and philosophical
Answer: B) Humorous and satirical
| Question | Answer |
| Poem Name | The Lady’s Dressing Room |
| Poet Name | Jonathan Swift |
| Year Published | 1732 |
| Main Themes | Appearance vs. reality, vanity, gender expectations, satire |
| Literary Devices | Satire, irony, vivid imagery, exaggeration |
| Main Characters | Strephon (a curious man), Celia (his lover) |
| Tone | Humorous, ironic, and critical |
| Criticism | Unrealistic beauty standards and male idealization of women |