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Alexander Pope Essay
The Rape of the Lock
Context
Alexander Pope was born in London in 1688. As a Roman Catholic living during a time of Protestant consolidation in England, he was largely
excluded from the university system and from political life, and suffered certain social and economic disadvantages because of his religion as well. He
was self–taught to a great extent, and was an assiduous scholar from a very early age. He learned several languages on his own, and his early verses
were often imitations of poets he admired. His obvious talent found encouragement from his father, a linen–draper, as well as from literary–minded
friends. At the age of twelve, Pope contracted a form of tuberculosis that settled in his spine, leaving him stunted and...show more content...
After the publication of The Rape of the Lock, Pope spent many years translating the works of Homer. During the ten years he devoted to this arduous
project, he produced very few new poems of his own but refined his taste in literature (and his moral, social, and political opinions) to an incredible
degree. When he later recommenced to write original poetry, Pope struck a more serious tone than the one he gave to The Rape of the Lock. These
later poems are more severe in their moral judgments and more acid in their satire: Pope's Essay on Man is a philosophical poem on metaphysics,
ethics, and human nature, while in the Dunciad Pope writes a scathing exposГ© of the bad writers and pseudo–intellectuals of his day.
Characters
Belinda – Belinda is based on the historical Arabella Fermor, a member of Pope's circle of prominent Roman Catholics. Robert, Lord Petre (the Baron
in the poem) had precipitated a rift between their two families by snipping off a lock of her hair.
The Baron – This is the pseudonym for the historical Robert, Lord Petre, the young gentleman in Pope's social circle who offended Arabella Fermor
and her family by cutting off a lock of her hair. In the poem's version of events, Arabella is known as Belinda.
Caryl – The historical basis for the Caryl character is John Caryll, a friend of Pope and of the two families that had become
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Analysis Of Alexander Pope 's ' Frankenstein '
Throughout history, humans have been fascinated the inherent bond that exists between ourselves and Nature. During the eighteenth century, known
also as "the Reformation" period, there was a push in European society towards science and reason being the epicenter of culture. During this time,
Alexander Pope wrote the poem 'Essay on Man' which was intended to be an outline of perennial, universal truths. The emphasis was primarily on the
nature of reason rather than Nature itself. After this time period came the Romantic period, lasting from 1785–1832. It was in 1818 that Mary Shelley
wrote 'Frankenstein', also known as 'The Modern Prometheus', an imaginative tale about a monster created by man. The relationships between Nature
and the characters are dynamic in that they change frequently. They appear, in many instances, to be a vehicle for expressingemotion. By examining and
writing about the way humans interact with the Nature surrounding them, Pope and Shelley made it possible to analyze and highlight common
relationships between humans and Nature during their lifetime; for Pope and his peers, it was more about reason and ___ (word for only coming to
conclusions based on ur five senses), while during Shelley's time period, people tended to have a more emotional relationship with Nature.
Shelley utilized imagery, metaphor, simile, and personification relative to Nature, frequently paired with tone, in many scenes throughout Frankenstein.
Whether it be to uplift or depress
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Analysis of Alexander Pope's An Essay on Man
Analysis of Alexander Pope's An Essay on Man
There are three main issues that Pope talks about in his long poem "An Essay on Man." First, the poet evokes a timeless vision of humanity in which
the universe is connected to a great chain that extends from God to the tiniest form of life. Secondly, Pope discusses God's plan in which evil must exist
for the sake of the greater good, a paradox not fully understandable by human reason. Thirdly, the poem accuses human beings of being proud and
impious. Pope feels that man claims more insight into the nature of existence then he possesses.
In "An Essay on Man" Pope is trying to make clear the relationship of humanity to the universe, himself, society and also to happiness. He states...show
more content...
Man knows that he possesses free will. In order for him to make the right choices, man must know that there is a choice to make between good and
evil, and that he has to accept responsibility for his choices. Pope discuses the presence of evil throughout the universal chain: "If the great end be
human happiness then nature deviates; and can man do less?" (330). This implies that there is beauty in nature, but there is also evil when nature
destroys towns, homes and human life. If nature can be evil, how can man be expected never to be evil? Man has the power of good to help feed the
hungry, care for the sick, and comfort the dying. Yet, man chooses to exercise his evil side: destroying, killing and bringing down those that are weaker.
In addition to discussing evil, Pope also suggests that human beings are full of pride and impiety. "All this dread order break–for whom? For thee?
Vile worm!" laments Pope, "Oh madness! Pride! impiety!" (332). He is saying that man sees himself as the center of the universe around which all
things revolve. Humanity cares about nothing but itself. Pope draws us into the poem by reminding us that we too have tendencies to make
assumptions and that we all have our own desire to see the universe revolving around us. Pope discusses humanity's downfall, writing: "In pride in
reasoning pride, our error lies" (329). Here, Pope puts forth the
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Summary of Alexander Pope's Poem 'An Essay Man'
An Essay on Man Summary Alexander Pope's poem "An Essay on Man" begins with an introduction related to how Pope wants his friend, Lord
Bolingbroke to abandon all of his plans in order to assist him in a mission meant to "vindicate the ways of God to man". Section 1: The first
section emphasizes the fact that man "can judge only with regard to our own systems", as people do not have the ability to comprehend the
greater scheme of things. Pope wants his readers to understand that humanity is "ignorant of the relations of systems of things". The poet
apparently wants to relate to how the relationship between God and mankind is complex and to how it would be pointless for people to try to
understand divinity by trying to associate it with values that they are familiar with. Section 2: The second section claims that man should "not be
deemed imperfect" and that people are perfect when considering the position that they need to have. The "general Order of Things" is responsible
for the place that people occupy there and there is a strict hierarchy that the world works in regard to. Section 3: The third section claims that
society works in accordance with a paradox, as people are happy partly because of their "ignorance of future events" and partly because of their
"hope of a future". Happiness is strongly connected to these two values and it is essential for people to take on such attitudes in order to be as happy
as they possibly can. Section 4: The fact that people
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An Essay On Man By Alexander Pope
As the eighteenth–century moved forward, the socio–economic classes in England became more divided than ever. For authors, this expanded what
they were able to write about, as the desire to be prosperous was beginning to take over the morality behind getting to the top social classes. In an
excerpt from Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes, Hobbes suggests that morality and economics are innate qualities of humans, as the species was designed
to compete over such things. In an excerpt from Second Treatise on Government by John Locke, Locke argues that social norms have a greater
strong–hold on morality than the drive for economics, though they both do drive humans. In "An Essay on Man" by Alexander Pope, Pope suggests to
readers that morality and economics are linked to God's plan for every human being. The relationship between economics and morality are explored by
Hobbes, Locke, and Pope throughout their respective works. Hobbes combines morality and economics by tackling the innate qualities of human
beings. According to Hobbes, humans are selfish creatures who are driven entirely by their own desires to self–preserve. He writes: "And therefore if
any two men desire the same thing, which nevertheless they cannot both enjoy, they become enemies; and in the way to their end...endeavor to destroy
or subdue one another," (Hobbes, 1). This concept applies to economics, as it soon becomes a debate of humans taking what others desire for no reason
other than to just have it. While this is
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Essay On The Human Condition In Candide
Literature is a multidimensional world full of characters, plots, and imagery that brings consistent light to an otherwise habitually dark world. Whether
discussing serious or delightful aspects of the human condition, literature never ceases to teach mankind something of merit. For example, in Voltaire's
Candide, the author discusses existential subjects throughout the novel. He uses tragic events to teach and entertain his audience about the intellectual
depth of the human race.
Candide, the novel, dramatically entertains its audience by describing the traumatic love story of two individuals, Candide and Cunegonde, who
experience harrowing events along the way to their eventual union. Embedded in the entire plot is the recurring element
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Alexander Pope and Christianity
C.M.
The Influence of Christianity in Essay on Man Alexander Pope is an eighteenth century writer who spent most of his life suffering. He had a rare
form of tuberculosis which left him in constant pain. As a result of this disease, he never grew very tall. He was only about four and a half feet tall
and he also experienced migraines (Greenblatt 2714). Despite all of Pope's impediments, he managed to write Essay on Man which portrays an
extremely optimistic outlook on life. Although Pope says that he "avoids all specifically Christian doctrines," it is doubtful that he would have this
same optimistic outlook without his Christian upbringing (2714). Even though Pope's Essay on Man is universal, applying to Christian and...show more
content...
Also, in Romans 3:23, it says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Both of these quote are affirming that all
men sin which therefore means they are imperfect. In Section 4 of Epistle 1 of Essay on Man, it talks about how man is ignorant of the future
which therefore allows him to be hopeful. In line 85 it states, "O blindness to the future! Kindly given" (2716.1.85). Not knowing what our future
holds allows us to instill our faith in God. Even though we do not know what the future holds for us, God does. Since God knows our future, we
put our faith in him that if we live correctly, everything will turn out just how it is supposed to be which is hopefully exactly how we want it to be.
Jeremiah 29:11 declares, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an
expected end" (Jeremiah 29:11). God tells us his plans for us are good. We trust and believe in him so we trust and believe our futures are filled with
greatness. Pride is a sin and brings humans misery in both Essay on Man and The Bible. In Essay on Man, Pope writes, "In pride, in reasoning pride,
our error lies" (2717.1.123). Being prideful is a fault that humans possess. Man is always trying to gain more knowledge and try to reach perfection.
Perfection cannot be achieved so this pride actually
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Comparing Icarus And An Essay On Man
Faced with the complexity of free will, men will succumb to acting on impulse, which is what lures them to the vices of failure. In the second epistle
of "An Essay on Man" by Alexander Pope, the contradictory nature of mankind is explored through various contrasts. To understand mankind as a
whole, one must decipher an individual, in which he will discover that man, by nature, is a paradox. The connotation of the text supports the
Enlightenment ideas of understanding the world, as comprehension of man is the heart of the poem. Unsure of purpose or position in the world,
mankind is destined to spend their time seeking, but never truly finding. "Icarus," by Wendy A. Shaffer, shares the same notion that men are granted an
option. However, following...show more content...
However, the method in which this message is presented varies, in relation to how this is to occur. Pope believes that men relate to the common
maxim: too much of anything can be a bad thing. Men roam the world with "too much knowledge for the skeptic's side, with too much weakness for
the stoic's pride" (Pope 5, 6). The parallelism proves that knowledge shields men from confusion, and weakness prohibits them from remaining strong
willed. Too much of everything is what becomes debilitating. Excerpted from an extensive work, the second epistle of "An Essay on Man," is written
in a series of heroic couplets with a constant ABAB rhyme scheme. Here, structure and message collide to prove that the only consistency in life is the
inconsistency of people. The idea of capricious human nature is paralleled in the image of the melting wings illustrated in "Icarus." All trust was
placed within the wings that flew Icarus to the sun; however, they abandoned him, shifting the magnitude of his pride to solemnity. The wax that
composed his wings "seemed such a strong, solid type but . . . melted away when things got hot" (Shaffer 5, 7). Like the wings, when a situation
becomes "hot," people have the tendency to forsake it (Shaffer 7). The perplexity and uncertainty brought forth by life's decisions allocate a fickle
lifestyle. This is further supported by the fact that "Icarus," was written in a free verse with no rhyme scheme. The lack of structure proves the futility
in believing the best of people, and relates to Icarus's reluctance towards obedience. Like Icarus, people will end up doing whatever pleases them to
mask their confusion. Thus, it is erratic nature that brings about the human tendency to
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Comparison (J. Swift & A. Pope) Essay
The attitudes portrayed in Alexander Pope's An Essay on Man and Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal" towards mankind is strikingly similar. Both
acknowledge the view that man has dominion over the earth, as created and instituted by God. However, the difference is seen in their approaches to
this subject. Pope primarily focuses on man's pride and place in society, whereas Swift discusses how man deals with certain situations reasonably or
unreasonably. Pope and Swift present situations that man has to face in conjunction with illogical conclusions. Besides exhibiting illogical conclusions,
they also show the selfish, prideful, rebellious, jealous, and the ungrateful characteristics of man....show more content...
He indicates that in our attempt to gain more knowledge and wisdom that we press beyond the limits, and that some things mankind is not able to
know. Pope suggest to the reader to submit to the laws of nature, and do not think or act beyond mankind. He has the concept that there is a divine
order and grand scheme of things and to rest in the place that you are in. Pope states:
"All Nature, is but Art, unknown to thee;
All Chance, Direction, which thou canst not see;
All discord, harmony not understood;
All partial evil, universal good:
And spite of Pride, in erring Reason's pride,
One truth is clear, whatever is, is right" (Pope 518. 289–295).
From the religious stand point, the reader can assume that Pope is suggesting that man needs to be content with where he is and count everything as
done in a divine order. He also suggest that it is better to trust in the laws of nature, than to lean to thine own understanding. While seeking wisdom
and knowledge is acceptable, as well as having a sense of pride, man needs to respect and adhere to the boundaries that have been created.
The opposite appears in the work of Jonathan Swift. He presents a situation that clearly needs to be changed. The intent of the narrator, from the
reader's understanding and perception is that he is trying to open
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Reading Something Once Is Like Only Eating the Appetizer
In the poem An Essay on Man, Alexander Pope combines clever wordplay with common sense in an attempt to justify the actions of God to man. In
his poem pope argues that God does not operate in a way in which only humanities interests are considered. He questions the reasoning behind the
doubtfulness of man and argues that we only think of ourselves and refuse to grasp the bigger picture. The way of thinking that Pope displays in his
poem is a brilliant perspective on faith and his simple yet thoughtful poetry is infinitely engaging to the theologically curious, like myself.
The first time I read An Essay on Man I was very intrigued by the amount of thought Pope put into some of his arguments in the defense of God.
"Destroy all creatures for thy sport or gust, Yet cry, if man's unhappy, God's unjust." (263) This quote left a big impression on me the first time I
read Pope's poem. Pope is using man's own actions to justify God's. To take the life of a living being is to assume a Godlike privilege, yet man is
selfish. Man doubts God and becomes angry with God should what they do to animals happen to them. He is showing humanity that by being angry
at God whenever something bad befalls them they are setting a double standard for God. When I think of this quote I think of the circle of life and I
feel like Pope considered God to be an active part of it, a force which kept order and maintains fairness for all.
The
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An Essay on Man vs. Candide
An Essay on Man vs. Candide During the period of Enlightenment, many philosophers began a new way of thinking. For philosopher Alexander
Pope in An Essay on Man, Pope believed that, "Whatever is, is right" (L. 294), in that God is in control and every human being is a part of a greater
design of God. Voltairelater challenged that belief in Candide with the idea that God does not produce order, but instead, we must produce it
ourselves and use reason to give our lives meaning. Pope's position is more optimistic, while Voltaire's position takes on a pessimistic view in that it
does not allow for the belief in some sort of higher purpose. Drawing from personal experience, Pope's belief that we perceive troubles as troubles only
because...show more content...
413). With that notion, Voltaire is right because there is nothing in this world that is perfect or even close to perfect, but it is the best possible
world we have. Voltaire acknowledges that the world we live in includes both good and bad and joy and suffering. I can see the accuracy in
Voltaire's theory where man does have the power to make his own decisions in life, but at the same time I feel that our decisions go into a
pre–developed plan. I have left several hard decisions that I've had to make, decide themselves. Even though I left it up in the air, I eventually
partially made a decision, but I also had the help of a greater force. We might all have several paths laid out for us in the beginning, and depending
on a few drastic choices that we make will determine which of those few paths we end up going down. Voltaire creates the opportunity that man can
make his own difference in the world and be happy by giving man control over his life and not resting it all on God. Voltaire's Candide and
Alexander Pope's An Essay on Man both make foundational points. Pope's essay is more optimistic while Voltaire's is more pessimistic. The flaw in
Pope's essay is that Pope is too
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Alexander Pope's philosophical poem An Essay on Man, published in 1732–134, may even more precisely be classified, to use a German phrase, as
Weltanschauungliche Dichtung (worldviewish poetry). That it is appropriate to understand An Essay on Man as world view in verse, as a work which
depicts humanity's relationship to and understanding of a perplexing and amazing world, is indicated in the statement of the poem's "Design" in which
the author avows that his goal was to examine "Man in the abstract, his Nature and his State." Indeed, Pope sought to fulfill his agenda by describing
in each of the work's four "epistles" the nature and state of man with respect (1) to the universe, (2) to man himself as an individual, (3) to society, and
...show more content...
v). Likewise Cicero stated that "those who achieve [virtue], guiding themselves by magnanimity and uprightness, are always happy" (De Finibus V.
xxiv. 71). Richard Hooker similarly argued that all men desire a happy life based on the unencumbered pursuit and exercise of righteousness or virtue.
In a theological vein, he wrote, "Infinitely happy in himself from all Eternity," God so communicates his goodness as to show "no other design in
creating Mankind than their happiness" (Of "Oh Happiness! our being's end and aim!
Good, Pleasure, Ease, Content! whate'er thy name."
The whole of the fourth epistle is a poetic meditation on the relation of humanity and happiness, and it serves as the culmination of An Essay on Man,
"on which it lies like crown" (Tillotson 50).2 In terms of substance, it is an extended argument to the effect that happiness is not tied to any particular
condition, state, location or possession, but is singularly related to virtue (Atkins 57), a conception which is fundamentally Stoic in origin. As Mack
points out, what the fourth Epistle adds to the argument of the text is "a sustained and brilliant Stoic account of the pre–eminence of virtue over
externals, partly by way of theodicy, vindicating Providence for the unequal distribution of these goods, [and] partly by way of ethics, showing where
true ethical objectives lie" (xxxix). This same author elaborates on the Stoic framework of the entire poem, and on its Stoic conception of
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Alexander Pope's An Essay on Man and Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe
The theme of "man's relationship to God and the universe" presented in Epistle 1 of Alexander Pope's "An Essay on Man" complements Daniel
Defoe's Robinson Crusoe. Crusoe is an inconsistent character who turns to God whenever he is in need, yet fails to maintain respect for nature and for
his fellow man. In the first year of Robinson Crusoe's solitary life on the island, he falls ill and has a terrifying dream that alters his awareness of his
place in the universe and God's control of it. This experience leads him to contemplate his past ingratitude and to embark on a life of piety, reading the
Bible daily, though without a drastic or permanent change in his character....show more content...
In the climax of his fearful dream, Crusoe hears a voice threaten him, "Seeing all these things have not brought thee to Repentance, now thou shalt
die," and he awakens with a tremendous "Impression" on his mind (65). This is a point of change for the sailor, and he meditates on his life and the
unacknowledged influence of God. Pope's essay speaks to this awareness, for his focus is on the presence of God in nature and humanity. In Section 8
he exclaims, "Vast Chain of Being! which from God began, / Natures ethereal, human, Angel, Man, / Beast, Bird, Fish, Insect!" (237–39). According to
Pope, the existence of all things emanates from a God who created all things to be united. This message also speaks to Crusoe, when he first
becomes aware of the link between God and himself. As soon as Crusoe becomes open to God, he begins thinking, "Such as we are all made by some
secret Power, who form'd the Earth and Sea, the Air and Sky; and who is that? . . . It is God" (68). Robinson Crusoe comes to see God as the creator
that Pope has presented him and in this way, Pope's "An Essay on Man" articulates Crusoe's development as a person.
Robinson Crusoe's description of his meals demonstrates man's dependence on nature for survival, proving Pope's belief that "each System" is "Alike
essential to th' amazing Whole" (247–48). In his June 28 entry, Crusoe states that he takes "a
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Man And Leapor's Essay On Woman
Optimism vs. Pessimism in Pope's Essay on Man and Leapor's Essay on Woman
Both Alexander Pope's Essay on Man, Epistle 2 and Mary Leapor's Essay on Woman expound the fatalist contention that neither man nor woman can
"win," as each individual exists in a world of trade–offs. Yet, by each author'ssingular technique of sculpting his ideas with the literary tools of
contrast, argument, and syntax, the cores of the two essays turn back to back, evolving into distinct, but contrary perspectives of Man's (in respect to
mankind) and Woman's existence. Pope asserts that a profusion of trade–offs establish a certain equilibrium point where Man hangs "on this isthmus of
a middle state" (Magill 2629). After defining the boundaries of Man's...show more content...
Pope chooses neither good nor bad connotations ("A being darkly wise, and rudely great") to avoid judging either of man's extremes. Instead he
skillfully chooses each word to avoid judging either extreme as good or bad, right or wrong. "Darkly," on its own, connotes the unseen, the undefined
and is uniquely paired with "wise," a word denoting a grasp on definition or reason. "Rudely great" again combines two impartial words that seem to
stand in a paradox as a unit – "rudely" suggests low class and lack of refinement (but lacks the moral judgment of "crudely") while "great" indicates
superiority, prominence and nobility (without implying self–righteous conceit, as "grand" might have done). Paired, however, each phrase ("Darkly
wise" and "rudely great") carries on its own distinctive hybridized meaning. "Darkly wise," comes to depict an indefinite sensibility and "rudely great,"
denotes an unrefined dignity. Much simpler contrasts between black and white, dark and light, strength and weakness might have sufficed, but,
efforting to capture the depth of Man's character, Pope creates contrasts that escape the banality of common antonyms and espouse the sundry
spectrums of qualities that comprise Man's character. By these contrasts, Pope was able to construct his thesis, case in point, by illustrating the creative
conglomeration that propitiously sets Man apart from God and beast.
Leapor contrasts images to illustrate the perfection of woman and the
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Perfection in Pope’s An Essay on Man
Alexander Pope envisioned a universe perfect by definition. Every facet of this universe is designed solely for its place in the hierarchy of
existence, and is in fact perfect for its particular station. This idea of perfection in completeness is encompassed in the famous concluding words of
the first epistle of Pope's An Essay on Man: "Whatever IS, is RIGHT." This aphorism, however, belies the effort Pope took to solidify his assertion. In
order to substantiate his idea of a perfectly structured universe, Pope delineates–in extremely structured and formal heroic verse–an argument positing
the failure of human reason, fettered as it is by ignorance and pride, in obtaining a proper idea of man's station in the universe. This argument flows
...show more content...
Instead of saying, for instance, that the world is beautiful, but we cannot notice its beauty, that what is seemingly random is in fact purposeful, that
what appears to be discord is in fact harmony, that what is apparently evil in context is in fact good overall, Pope crafts lines so beautiful, purposeful,
harmonic, and good as to appear perfectly representative of the same ideas just expressed: All nature is but art, unknown to thee; All chance, direction,
which thou canst not see; All discord, harmony not understood; All partial evil, universal good (289–92).
The structure of Pope's poem and the perfection of each individual line for its purpose clearly parallel his vision of the universe and consequently
bolster his argument. Although An Essay on Man is brilliantly organized, so are all of Pope's other poems. This structure does not of itself prepare
the reader for the poem's dramatic final assertion or even intimate the idea of a perfect universe. To ground this assertion, Pope writes nine stanzas
before his conclusion, each detailing a particular idea related to those before it and after and supporting his eventual conclusion. When viewed in light
of these nine expository stanzas, Pope's dramatic culmination is not so dramatic after all. The essence
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Alexander Pope's Essay On Man
Alexander Pope's Essay on Man – Man is Never Satisfied
Alexander Pope's Essay on Man is a philosophical poem, written, characteristically in heroic couplet. It is an attempt to justify and vindicate the ways
of God to man. It's also a warning that man himself is not as in his pride, he seems to believe the center of all things. Eventhough not truly
Christian, the essay makes implicit assumption that man has fallen and that he must seek his own salvation. Pope sets out to demonstrate that no
matter how imperfect complex and disturbingly full evil the universe may appear to be, it does function in a rational fashion, according to natural
laws and is in fact considered as a whole perfect work of God. It appears unsatisfy...show more content...
We utter our body parts to make it look perfect to us. The use of weak and blind in the essay tells how man is unsatisfied not be able to see things his
way and hence making him unhappy. If any misfortunes in our life's we still think is the cause of God, as stated in the Essay of man,
"Rejudge his justice, be the God of God (Pope, 122). Life seems chaotic and patternless to man when he is in the midst of it. Man has sun and forest
around him, which he takes advantage of for food shelter and nurturing but on the other hand he blames the nature for destruction and other cause.
"From burning Sun where livid deaths descend" (Pope 142). This line from the essay goes to extend how man questions God's justices. He has never
been satisfied with creation. Everything on this earth was meant to make man happy. Man should learn that nature should take its cause and must learn
how to cope with it. God has ranked man on top of the order of the chain but yet man is unsatisfied. If any misfortune we turn to judge his justice. Is
God who gives and he who takes so man should not be upset if death occur. Just like some trees leaves die to yield fresh ones and mother cockroaches
die to have new ones, man has to view death as right of passage and accept it as part of life rather than to be sad, miserable or disgruntle. Death is part
of creation of God and should be cherish.
God has surrounded man with most essential things
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In the book Candide, by Voltaire and in the "Essay On Man" by Alexander Pope, both authors write about similar ideas. However, they also have
some drastic differences, such as Voltaire's sarcastic over exaggeration of ideas that oppose his to make a point. Both Voltaire and Pope make
conflicting arguments for a general ideology but Voltaire depicts in opinion much stronger. In the Essay on Man, Pope brings up many theories
about the universe, Earth, and The Great Chain of Being. One of the most significant ideas he brings up is the idea that "All partial evil, (is)
universal good"(293). What Pope is trying to say here is that perhaps the suffering of a few benefits everyone in the long run. However, the true
meaning of this quote isn't extremely clear to the eye from the reading, and leaves the reader's mind open. Another one of Pope's ideas is the great
chain of being, and everything's position on it. He believes it is a law of the world and that breaking it would be nearly impossible. He states that:
"Men would be angels, angels would be gods.
Aspiring to be gods, if angels fell,
Aspiring to be angels, men rebel:
And who but wishes to invert the laws
Of order, sins against the Eternal Cause"(125–130).
Pope is essentially saying that if anyone breaks, or tries to break the great chain of being, they are committing a sin against the "Eternal Cause", or the
cause of God. Also, he is saying that all parts of the chain are necessary. If angels didn't exist, men would try to
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Pope Francis: Human Distortionion Of Religion
Pope Francis continues in chapter two with the discussion of religion. He first explains the role of faith in motivating the human being to care for the
poor and the environment. This leads to the biblical accounts that establish human life involving three fundamental relationships with God, with others,
and with the earth. However, these relationships have been broken by sin. Thus, distorting our view and use of God's creation. Human distortion of
creation leads Pope Francis to discuss creation. "Creation is of the order of love," meaning God's love has made everything in nature (LS, no. 77).
With that, God has given every object its own place in the world. We, as humans, have no right in changing the destiny God has for any of His creation.
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The aim of this essay is to analyse the literary devices used in An Essay on Man by Alexander Pope, which lead to the literariness of the text– its
artistry, what makes it literary. To this purpose, I will make use of Victor Skhlovsky's notion of defamiliarization, which he explains in "Art as
Technique", written in the first phase of the Russian Formalism. Defamiliariation is the process by which ordinary language is modified in order to
achieve an effect of "artificiality" and strangeness, drawing attention not to the meaning, but to "the way it says that it has to say" (Bertens 27). Thus,
the formalist approach leaves aside the refferential function of a literary text ("the way it reflects the world we live in" – Bertens 26) and focuses...show
more content...
The symmetrical, circular character of the world is emphasised in an antimetabole in the third Epistle: "Made beast in aid of man, and man of beast."
(L 24) – by the means of inverting the two opposed terms, they actually come in each other's completion. The entire world is ordered by a rigorous
plan, and similes underline the idea of the universe as a continuing flow of matter and ideas ("the nature of creation is unity" – Clark 87), in perfect
balance: "Like Bubbles on the sea of matter borne, / They rise, they break, and to that sea return." The world is intriguingly called "Mighty maze! but
not without a plan", the metaphor defamiliarizing the way in which the world appears, making it appear complex and above everyday reality and casual
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Alexander Pope's Essay on Man

  • 1. Alexander Pope Essay The Rape of the Lock Context Alexander Pope was born in London in 1688. As a Roman Catholic living during a time of Protestant consolidation in England, he was largely excluded from the university system and from political life, and suffered certain social and economic disadvantages because of his religion as well. He was self–taught to a great extent, and was an assiduous scholar from a very early age. He learned several languages on his own, and his early verses were often imitations of poets he admired. His obvious talent found encouragement from his father, a linen–draper, as well as from literary–minded friends. At the age of twelve, Pope contracted a form of tuberculosis that settled in his spine, leaving him stunted and...show more content... After the publication of The Rape of the Lock, Pope spent many years translating the works of Homer. During the ten years he devoted to this arduous project, he produced very few new poems of his own but refined his taste in literature (and his moral, social, and political opinions) to an incredible degree. When he later recommenced to write original poetry, Pope struck a more serious tone than the one he gave to The Rape of the Lock. These later poems are more severe in their moral judgments and more acid in their satire: Pope's Essay on Man is a philosophical poem on metaphysics, ethics, and human nature, while in the Dunciad Pope writes a scathing exposГ© of the bad writers and pseudo–intellectuals of his day. Characters Belinda – Belinda is based on the historical Arabella Fermor, a member of Pope's circle of prominent Roman Catholics. Robert, Lord Petre (the Baron in the poem) had precipitated a rift between their two families by snipping off a lock of her hair. The Baron – This is the pseudonym for the historical Robert, Lord Petre, the young gentleman in Pope's social circle who offended Arabella Fermor and her family by cutting off a lock of her hair. In the poem's version of events, Arabella is known as Belinda. Caryl – The historical basis for the Caryl character is John Caryll, a friend of Pope and of the two families that had become Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 2. Analysis Of Alexander Pope 's ' Frankenstein ' Throughout history, humans have been fascinated the inherent bond that exists between ourselves and Nature. During the eighteenth century, known also as "the Reformation" period, there was a push in European society towards science and reason being the epicenter of culture. During this time, Alexander Pope wrote the poem 'Essay on Man' which was intended to be an outline of perennial, universal truths. The emphasis was primarily on the nature of reason rather than Nature itself. After this time period came the Romantic period, lasting from 1785–1832. It was in 1818 that Mary Shelley wrote 'Frankenstein', also known as 'The Modern Prometheus', an imaginative tale about a monster created by man. The relationships between Nature and the characters are dynamic in that they change frequently. They appear, in many instances, to be a vehicle for expressingemotion. By examining and writing about the way humans interact with the Nature surrounding them, Pope and Shelley made it possible to analyze and highlight common relationships between humans and Nature during their lifetime; for Pope and his peers, it was more about reason and ___ (word for only coming to conclusions based on ur five senses), while during Shelley's time period, people tended to have a more emotional relationship with Nature. Shelley utilized imagery, metaphor, simile, and personification relative to Nature, frequently paired with tone, in many scenes throughout Frankenstein. Whether it be to uplift or depress Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 3. Analysis of Alexander Pope's An Essay on Man Analysis of Alexander Pope's An Essay on Man There are three main issues that Pope talks about in his long poem "An Essay on Man." First, the poet evokes a timeless vision of humanity in which the universe is connected to a great chain that extends from God to the tiniest form of life. Secondly, Pope discusses God's plan in which evil must exist for the sake of the greater good, a paradox not fully understandable by human reason. Thirdly, the poem accuses human beings of being proud and impious. Pope feels that man claims more insight into the nature of existence then he possesses. In "An Essay on Man" Pope is trying to make clear the relationship of humanity to the universe, himself, society and also to happiness. He states...show more content... Man knows that he possesses free will. In order for him to make the right choices, man must know that there is a choice to make between good and evil, and that he has to accept responsibility for his choices. Pope discuses the presence of evil throughout the universal chain: "If the great end be human happiness then nature deviates; and can man do less?" (330). This implies that there is beauty in nature, but there is also evil when nature destroys towns, homes and human life. If nature can be evil, how can man be expected never to be evil? Man has the power of good to help feed the hungry, care for the sick, and comfort the dying. Yet, man chooses to exercise his evil side: destroying, killing and bringing down those that are weaker. In addition to discussing evil, Pope also suggests that human beings are full of pride and impiety. "All this dread order break–for whom? For thee? Vile worm!" laments Pope, "Oh madness! Pride! impiety!" (332). He is saying that man sees himself as the center of the universe around which all things revolve. Humanity cares about nothing but itself. Pope draws us into the poem by reminding us that we too have tendencies to make assumptions and that we all have our own desire to see the universe revolving around us. Pope discusses humanity's downfall, writing: "In pride in reasoning pride, our error lies" (329). Here, Pope puts forth the Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 4. Summary of Alexander Pope's Poem 'An Essay Man' An Essay on Man Summary Alexander Pope's poem "An Essay on Man" begins with an introduction related to how Pope wants his friend, Lord Bolingbroke to abandon all of his plans in order to assist him in a mission meant to "vindicate the ways of God to man". Section 1: The first section emphasizes the fact that man "can judge only with regard to our own systems", as people do not have the ability to comprehend the greater scheme of things. Pope wants his readers to understand that humanity is "ignorant of the relations of systems of things". The poet apparently wants to relate to how the relationship between God and mankind is complex and to how it would be pointless for people to try to understand divinity by trying to associate it with values that they are familiar with. Section 2: The second section claims that man should "not be deemed imperfect" and that people are perfect when considering the position that they need to have. The "general Order of Things" is responsible for the place that people occupy there and there is a strict hierarchy that the world works in regard to. Section 3: The third section claims that society works in accordance with a paradox, as people are happy partly because of their "ignorance of future events" and partly because of their "hope of a future". Happiness is strongly connected to these two values and it is essential for people to take on such attitudes in order to be as happy as they possibly can. Section 4: The fact that people Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 5. An Essay On Man By Alexander Pope As the eighteenth–century moved forward, the socio–economic classes in England became more divided than ever. For authors, this expanded what they were able to write about, as the desire to be prosperous was beginning to take over the morality behind getting to the top social classes. In an excerpt from Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes, Hobbes suggests that morality and economics are innate qualities of humans, as the species was designed to compete over such things. In an excerpt from Second Treatise on Government by John Locke, Locke argues that social norms have a greater strong–hold on morality than the drive for economics, though they both do drive humans. In "An Essay on Man" by Alexander Pope, Pope suggests to readers that morality and economics are linked to God's plan for every human being. The relationship between economics and morality are explored by Hobbes, Locke, and Pope throughout their respective works. Hobbes combines morality and economics by tackling the innate qualities of human beings. According to Hobbes, humans are selfish creatures who are driven entirely by their own desires to self–preserve. He writes: "And therefore if any two men desire the same thing, which nevertheless they cannot both enjoy, they become enemies; and in the way to their end...endeavor to destroy or subdue one another," (Hobbes, 1). This concept applies to economics, as it soon becomes a debate of humans taking what others desire for no reason other than to just have it. While this is Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 6. Essay On The Human Condition In Candide Literature is a multidimensional world full of characters, plots, and imagery that brings consistent light to an otherwise habitually dark world. Whether discussing serious or delightful aspects of the human condition, literature never ceases to teach mankind something of merit. For example, in Voltaire's Candide, the author discusses existential subjects throughout the novel. He uses tragic events to teach and entertain his audience about the intellectual depth of the human race. Candide, the novel, dramatically entertains its audience by describing the traumatic love story of two individuals, Candide and Cunegonde, who experience harrowing events along the way to their eventual union. Embedded in the entire plot is the recurring element Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 7. Alexander Pope and Christianity C.M. The Influence of Christianity in Essay on Man Alexander Pope is an eighteenth century writer who spent most of his life suffering. He had a rare form of tuberculosis which left him in constant pain. As a result of this disease, he never grew very tall. He was only about four and a half feet tall and he also experienced migraines (Greenblatt 2714). Despite all of Pope's impediments, he managed to write Essay on Man which portrays an extremely optimistic outlook on life. Although Pope says that he "avoids all specifically Christian doctrines," it is doubtful that he would have this same optimistic outlook without his Christian upbringing (2714). Even though Pope's Essay on Man is universal, applying to Christian and...show more content... Also, in Romans 3:23, it says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Both of these quote are affirming that all men sin which therefore means they are imperfect. In Section 4 of Epistle 1 of Essay on Man, it talks about how man is ignorant of the future which therefore allows him to be hopeful. In line 85 it states, "O blindness to the future! Kindly given" (2716.1.85). Not knowing what our future holds allows us to instill our faith in God. Even though we do not know what the future holds for us, God does. Since God knows our future, we put our faith in him that if we live correctly, everything will turn out just how it is supposed to be which is hopefully exactly how we want it to be. Jeremiah 29:11 declares, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end" (Jeremiah 29:11). God tells us his plans for us are good. We trust and believe in him so we trust and believe our futures are filled with greatness. Pride is a sin and brings humans misery in both Essay on Man and The Bible. In Essay on Man, Pope writes, "In pride, in reasoning pride, our error lies" (2717.1.123). Being prideful is a fault that humans possess. Man is always trying to gain more knowledge and try to reach perfection. Perfection cannot be achieved so this pride actually Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 8. Comparing Icarus And An Essay On Man Faced with the complexity of free will, men will succumb to acting on impulse, which is what lures them to the vices of failure. In the second epistle of "An Essay on Man" by Alexander Pope, the contradictory nature of mankind is explored through various contrasts. To understand mankind as a whole, one must decipher an individual, in which he will discover that man, by nature, is a paradox. The connotation of the text supports the Enlightenment ideas of understanding the world, as comprehension of man is the heart of the poem. Unsure of purpose or position in the world, mankind is destined to spend their time seeking, but never truly finding. "Icarus," by Wendy A. Shaffer, shares the same notion that men are granted an option. However, following...show more content... However, the method in which this message is presented varies, in relation to how this is to occur. Pope believes that men relate to the common maxim: too much of anything can be a bad thing. Men roam the world with "too much knowledge for the skeptic's side, with too much weakness for the stoic's pride" (Pope 5, 6). The parallelism proves that knowledge shields men from confusion, and weakness prohibits them from remaining strong willed. Too much of everything is what becomes debilitating. Excerpted from an extensive work, the second epistle of "An Essay on Man," is written in a series of heroic couplets with a constant ABAB rhyme scheme. Here, structure and message collide to prove that the only consistency in life is the inconsistency of people. The idea of capricious human nature is paralleled in the image of the melting wings illustrated in "Icarus." All trust was placed within the wings that flew Icarus to the sun; however, they abandoned him, shifting the magnitude of his pride to solemnity. The wax that composed his wings "seemed such a strong, solid type but . . . melted away when things got hot" (Shaffer 5, 7). Like the wings, when a situation becomes "hot," people have the tendency to forsake it (Shaffer 7). The perplexity and uncertainty brought forth by life's decisions allocate a fickle lifestyle. This is further supported by the fact that "Icarus," was written in a free verse with no rhyme scheme. The lack of structure proves the futility in believing the best of people, and relates to Icarus's reluctance towards obedience. Like Icarus, people will end up doing whatever pleases them to mask their confusion. Thus, it is erratic nature that brings about the human tendency to Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 9. Comparison (J. Swift & A. Pope) Essay The attitudes portrayed in Alexander Pope's An Essay on Man and Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal" towards mankind is strikingly similar. Both acknowledge the view that man has dominion over the earth, as created and instituted by God. However, the difference is seen in their approaches to this subject. Pope primarily focuses on man's pride and place in society, whereas Swift discusses how man deals with certain situations reasonably or unreasonably. Pope and Swift present situations that man has to face in conjunction with illogical conclusions. Besides exhibiting illogical conclusions, they also show the selfish, prideful, rebellious, jealous, and the ungrateful characteristics of man....show more content... He indicates that in our attempt to gain more knowledge and wisdom that we press beyond the limits, and that some things mankind is not able to know. Pope suggest to the reader to submit to the laws of nature, and do not think or act beyond mankind. He has the concept that there is a divine order and grand scheme of things and to rest in the place that you are in. Pope states: "All Nature, is but Art, unknown to thee; All Chance, Direction, which thou canst not see; All discord, harmony not understood; All partial evil, universal good: And spite of Pride, in erring Reason's pride, One truth is clear, whatever is, is right" (Pope 518. 289–295). From the religious stand point, the reader can assume that Pope is suggesting that man needs to be content with where he is and count everything as done in a divine order. He also suggest that it is better to trust in the laws of nature, than to lean to thine own understanding. While seeking wisdom and knowledge is acceptable, as well as having a sense of pride, man needs to respect and adhere to the boundaries that have been created. The opposite appears in the work of Jonathan Swift. He presents a situation that clearly needs to be changed. The intent of the narrator, from the reader's understanding and perception is that he is trying to open Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 10. Reading Something Once Is Like Only Eating the Appetizer In the poem An Essay on Man, Alexander Pope combines clever wordplay with common sense in an attempt to justify the actions of God to man. In his poem pope argues that God does not operate in a way in which only humanities interests are considered. He questions the reasoning behind the doubtfulness of man and argues that we only think of ourselves and refuse to grasp the bigger picture. The way of thinking that Pope displays in his poem is a brilliant perspective on faith and his simple yet thoughtful poetry is infinitely engaging to the theologically curious, like myself. The first time I read An Essay on Man I was very intrigued by the amount of thought Pope put into some of his arguments in the defense of God. "Destroy all creatures for thy sport or gust, Yet cry, if man's unhappy, God's unjust." (263) This quote left a big impression on me the first time I read Pope's poem. Pope is using man's own actions to justify God's. To take the life of a living being is to assume a Godlike privilege, yet man is selfish. Man doubts God and becomes angry with God should what they do to animals happen to them. He is showing humanity that by being angry at God whenever something bad befalls them they are setting a double standard for God. When I think of this quote I think of the circle of life and I feel like Pope considered God to be an active part of it, a force which kept order and maintains fairness for all. The Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 11. An Essay on Man vs. Candide An Essay on Man vs. Candide During the period of Enlightenment, many philosophers began a new way of thinking. For philosopher Alexander Pope in An Essay on Man, Pope believed that, "Whatever is, is right" (L. 294), in that God is in control and every human being is a part of a greater design of God. Voltairelater challenged that belief in Candide with the idea that God does not produce order, but instead, we must produce it ourselves and use reason to give our lives meaning. Pope's position is more optimistic, while Voltaire's position takes on a pessimistic view in that it does not allow for the belief in some sort of higher purpose. Drawing from personal experience, Pope's belief that we perceive troubles as troubles only because...show more content... 413). With that notion, Voltaire is right because there is nothing in this world that is perfect or even close to perfect, but it is the best possible world we have. Voltaire acknowledges that the world we live in includes both good and bad and joy and suffering. I can see the accuracy in Voltaire's theory where man does have the power to make his own decisions in life, but at the same time I feel that our decisions go into a pre–developed plan. I have left several hard decisions that I've had to make, decide themselves. Even though I left it up in the air, I eventually partially made a decision, but I also had the help of a greater force. We might all have several paths laid out for us in the beginning, and depending on a few drastic choices that we make will determine which of those few paths we end up going down. Voltaire creates the opportunity that man can make his own difference in the world and be happy by giving man control over his life and not resting it all on God. Voltaire's Candide and Alexander Pope's An Essay on Man both make foundational points. Pope's essay is more optimistic while Voltaire's is more pessimistic. The flaw in Pope's essay is that Pope is too Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 12. Alexander Pope's philosophical poem An Essay on Man, published in 1732–134, may even more precisely be classified, to use a German phrase, as Weltanschauungliche Dichtung (worldviewish poetry). That it is appropriate to understand An Essay on Man as world view in verse, as a work which depicts humanity's relationship to and understanding of a perplexing and amazing world, is indicated in the statement of the poem's "Design" in which the author avows that his goal was to examine "Man in the abstract, his Nature and his State." Indeed, Pope sought to fulfill his agenda by describing in each of the work's four "epistles" the nature and state of man with respect (1) to the universe, (2) to man himself as an individual, (3) to society, and ...show more content... v). Likewise Cicero stated that "those who achieve [virtue], guiding themselves by magnanimity and uprightness, are always happy" (De Finibus V. xxiv. 71). Richard Hooker similarly argued that all men desire a happy life based on the unencumbered pursuit and exercise of righteousness or virtue. In a theological vein, he wrote, "Infinitely happy in himself from all Eternity," God so communicates his goodness as to show "no other design in creating Mankind than their happiness" (Of "Oh Happiness! our being's end and aim! Good, Pleasure, Ease, Content! whate'er thy name." The whole of the fourth epistle is a poetic meditation on the relation of humanity and happiness, and it serves as the culmination of An Essay on Man, "on which it lies like crown" (Tillotson 50).2 In terms of substance, it is an extended argument to the effect that happiness is not tied to any particular condition, state, location or possession, but is singularly related to virtue (Atkins 57), a conception which is fundamentally Stoic in origin. As Mack points out, what the fourth Epistle adds to the argument of the text is "a sustained and brilliant Stoic account of the pre–eminence of virtue over externals, partly by way of theodicy, vindicating Providence for the unequal distribution of these goods, [and] partly by way of ethics, showing where true ethical objectives lie" (xxxix). This same author elaborates on the Stoic framework of the entire poem, and on its Stoic conception of Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 13. Alexander Pope's An Essay on Man and Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe The theme of "man's relationship to God and the universe" presented in Epistle 1 of Alexander Pope's "An Essay on Man" complements Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe. Crusoe is an inconsistent character who turns to God whenever he is in need, yet fails to maintain respect for nature and for his fellow man. In the first year of Robinson Crusoe's solitary life on the island, he falls ill and has a terrifying dream that alters his awareness of his place in the universe and God's control of it. This experience leads him to contemplate his past ingratitude and to embark on a life of piety, reading the Bible daily, though without a drastic or permanent change in his character....show more content... In the climax of his fearful dream, Crusoe hears a voice threaten him, "Seeing all these things have not brought thee to Repentance, now thou shalt die," and he awakens with a tremendous "Impression" on his mind (65). This is a point of change for the sailor, and he meditates on his life and the unacknowledged influence of God. Pope's essay speaks to this awareness, for his focus is on the presence of God in nature and humanity. In Section 8 he exclaims, "Vast Chain of Being! which from God began, / Natures ethereal, human, Angel, Man, / Beast, Bird, Fish, Insect!" (237–39). According to Pope, the existence of all things emanates from a God who created all things to be united. This message also speaks to Crusoe, when he first becomes aware of the link between God and himself. As soon as Crusoe becomes open to God, he begins thinking, "Such as we are all made by some secret Power, who form'd the Earth and Sea, the Air and Sky; and who is that? . . . It is God" (68). Robinson Crusoe comes to see God as the creator that Pope has presented him and in this way, Pope's "An Essay on Man" articulates Crusoe's development as a person. Robinson Crusoe's description of his meals demonstrates man's dependence on nature for survival, proving Pope's belief that "each System" is "Alike essential to th' amazing Whole" (247–48). In his June 28 entry, Crusoe states that he takes "a Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 14. Man And Leapor's Essay On Woman Optimism vs. Pessimism in Pope's Essay on Man and Leapor's Essay on Woman Both Alexander Pope's Essay on Man, Epistle 2 and Mary Leapor's Essay on Woman expound the fatalist contention that neither man nor woman can "win," as each individual exists in a world of trade–offs. Yet, by each author'ssingular technique of sculpting his ideas with the literary tools of contrast, argument, and syntax, the cores of the two essays turn back to back, evolving into distinct, but contrary perspectives of Man's (in respect to mankind) and Woman's existence. Pope asserts that a profusion of trade–offs establish a certain equilibrium point where Man hangs "on this isthmus of a middle state" (Magill 2629). After defining the boundaries of Man's...show more content... Pope chooses neither good nor bad connotations ("A being darkly wise, and rudely great") to avoid judging either of man's extremes. Instead he skillfully chooses each word to avoid judging either extreme as good or bad, right or wrong. "Darkly," on its own, connotes the unseen, the undefined and is uniquely paired with "wise," a word denoting a grasp on definition or reason. "Rudely great" again combines two impartial words that seem to stand in a paradox as a unit – "rudely" suggests low class and lack of refinement (but lacks the moral judgment of "crudely") while "great" indicates superiority, prominence and nobility (without implying self–righteous conceit, as "grand" might have done). Paired, however, each phrase ("Darkly wise" and "rudely great") carries on its own distinctive hybridized meaning. "Darkly wise," comes to depict an indefinite sensibility and "rudely great," denotes an unrefined dignity. Much simpler contrasts between black and white, dark and light, strength and weakness might have sufficed, but, efforting to capture the depth of Man's character, Pope creates contrasts that escape the banality of common antonyms and espouse the sundry spectrums of qualities that comprise Man's character. By these contrasts, Pope was able to construct his thesis, case in point, by illustrating the creative conglomeration that propitiously sets Man apart from God and beast. Leapor contrasts images to illustrate the perfection of woman and the Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 15. Perfection in Pope’s An Essay on Man Alexander Pope envisioned a universe perfect by definition. Every facet of this universe is designed solely for its place in the hierarchy of existence, and is in fact perfect for its particular station. This idea of perfection in completeness is encompassed in the famous concluding words of the first epistle of Pope's An Essay on Man: "Whatever IS, is RIGHT." This aphorism, however, belies the effort Pope took to solidify his assertion. In order to substantiate his idea of a perfectly structured universe, Pope delineates–in extremely structured and formal heroic verse–an argument positing the failure of human reason, fettered as it is by ignorance and pride, in obtaining a proper idea of man's station in the universe. This argument flows ...show more content... Instead of saying, for instance, that the world is beautiful, but we cannot notice its beauty, that what is seemingly random is in fact purposeful, that what appears to be discord is in fact harmony, that what is apparently evil in context is in fact good overall, Pope crafts lines so beautiful, purposeful, harmonic, and good as to appear perfectly representative of the same ideas just expressed: All nature is but art, unknown to thee; All chance, direction, which thou canst not see; All discord, harmony not understood; All partial evil, universal good (289–92). The structure of Pope's poem and the perfection of each individual line for its purpose clearly parallel his vision of the universe and consequently bolster his argument. Although An Essay on Man is brilliantly organized, so are all of Pope's other poems. This structure does not of itself prepare the reader for the poem's dramatic final assertion or even intimate the idea of a perfect universe. To ground this assertion, Pope writes nine stanzas before his conclusion, each detailing a particular idea related to those before it and after and supporting his eventual conclusion. When viewed in light of these nine expository stanzas, Pope's dramatic culmination is not so dramatic after all. The essence Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 16. Alexander Pope's Essay On Man Alexander Pope's Essay on Man – Man is Never Satisfied Alexander Pope's Essay on Man is a philosophical poem, written, characteristically in heroic couplet. It is an attempt to justify and vindicate the ways of God to man. It's also a warning that man himself is not as in his pride, he seems to believe the center of all things. Eventhough not truly Christian, the essay makes implicit assumption that man has fallen and that he must seek his own salvation. Pope sets out to demonstrate that no matter how imperfect complex and disturbingly full evil the universe may appear to be, it does function in a rational fashion, according to natural laws and is in fact considered as a whole perfect work of God. It appears unsatisfy...show more content... We utter our body parts to make it look perfect to us. The use of weak and blind in the essay tells how man is unsatisfied not be able to see things his way and hence making him unhappy. If any misfortunes in our life's we still think is the cause of God, as stated in the Essay of man, "Rejudge his justice, be the God of God (Pope, 122). Life seems chaotic and patternless to man when he is in the midst of it. Man has sun and forest around him, which he takes advantage of for food shelter and nurturing but on the other hand he blames the nature for destruction and other cause. "From burning Sun where livid deaths descend" (Pope 142). This line from the essay goes to extend how man questions God's justices. He has never been satisfied with creation. Everything on this earth was meant to make man happy. Man should learn that nature should take its cause and must learn how to cope with it. God has ranked man on top of the order of the chain but yet man is unsatisfied. If any misfortune we turn to judge his justice. Is God who gives and he who takes so man should not be upset if death occur. Just like some trees leaves die to yield fresh ones and mother cockroaches die to have new ones, man has to view death as right of passage and accept it as part of life rather than to be sad, miserable or disgruntle. Death is part of creation of God and should be cherish. God has surrounded man with most essential things Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 17. In the book Candide, by Voltaire and in the "Essay On Man" by Alexander Pope, both authors write about similar ideas. However, they also have some drastic differences, such as Voltaire's sarcastic over exaggeration of ideas that oppose his to make a point. Both Voltaire and Pope make conflicting arguments for a general ideology but Voltaire depicts in opinion much stronger. In the Essay on Man, Pope brings up many theories about the universe, Earth, and The Great Chain of Being. One of the most significant ideas he brings up is the idea that "All partial evil, (is) universal good"(293). What Pope is trying to say here is that perhaps the suffering of a few benefits everyone in the long run. However, the true meaning of this quote isn't extremely clear to the eye from the reading, and leaves the reader's mind open. Another one of Pope's ideas is the great chain of being, and everything's position on it. He believes it is a law of the world and that breaking it would be nearly impossible. He states that: "Men would be angels, angels would be gods. Aspiring to be gods, if angels fell, Aspiring to be angels, men rebel: And who but wishes to invert the laws Of order, sins against the Eternal Cause"(125–130). Pope is essentially saying that if anyone breaks, or tries to break the great chain of being, they are committing a sin against the "Eternal Cause", or the cause of God. Also, he is saying that all parts of the chain are necessary. If angels didn't exist, men would try to Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 18. Pope Francis: Human Distortionion Of Religion Pope Francis continues in chapter two with the discussion of religion. He first explains the role of faith in motivating the human being to care for the poor and the environment. This leads to the biblical accounts that establish human life involving three fundamental relationships with God, with others, and with the earth. However, these relationships have been broken by sin. Thus, distorting our view and use of God's creation. Human distortion of creation leads Pope Francis to discuss creation. "Creation is of the order of love," meaning God's love has made everything in nature (LS, no. 77). With that, God has given every object its own place in the world. We, as humans, have no right in changing the destiny God has for any of His creation. Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 19. The aim of this essay is to analyse the literary devices used in An Essay on Man by Alexander Pope, which lead to the literariness of the text– its artistry, what makes it literary. To this purpose, I will make use of Victor Skhlovsky's notion of defamiliarization, which he explains in "Art as Technique", written in the first phase of the Russian Formalism. Defamiliariation is the process by which ordinary language is modified in order to achieve an effect of "artificiality" and strangeness, drawing attention not to the meaning, but to "the way it says that it has to say" (Bertens 27). Thus, the formalist approach leaves aside the refferential function of a literary text ("the way it reflects the world we live in" – Bertens 26) and focuses...show more content... The symmetrical, circular character of the world is emphasised in an antimetabole in the third Epistle: "Made beast in aid of man, and man of beast." (L 24) – by the means of inverting the two opposed terms, they actually come in each other's completion. The entire world is ordered by a rigorous plan, and similes underline the idea of the universe as a continuing flow of matter and ideas ("the nature of creation is unity" – Clark 87), in perfect balance: "Like Bubbles on the sea of matter borne, / They rise, they break, and to that sea return." The world is intriguingly called "Mighty maze! but not without a plan", the metaphor defamiliarizing the way in which the world appears, making it appear complex and above everyday reality and casual Get more content on HelpWriting.net