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ANALYSIS OF FIRST EPISTLE OF ALEXANDER POPE'S "AN ESSAY ON MAN."
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Paper Abstract:
Discuses Pope's image of the universe. Theme of ambivalent position of man in attempting to play God. Satirical depiction of man as a "mock hero." Pope's purpose in the poem as desiring mankind to conform to the universal scheme. Poetic techniques employed including tone, structure, use of antithesis, imagery, paradox.

Paper Introduction:
In the first epistle of An Essay on Man, Alexander Pope presents a secularized and objective perspective of humanity and nature, which is freed from the bias of specific religions or supernatural beliefs (Kallich 3; Mack 525). According to Pope’s image of the universe, God has created a harmonious world consisting of different components, of which man is only a part. Therefore, in God’s “great chain” (Pope 1.33), man only occupies a “rank” in the structure (Pope 2.48). Throughout the epistle, Pope highlights the pride of men who aspire to be angels (Pope 4.126) and the ultimately to play the role of “God of God” (Pope 4.122). Through his egocentric perspective of the world, man believes that the world is created only to satisfy his own needs and desires (Pope 5.131-40). However, according to Pope, in reality, God’s actions serve a larger purpose that extends

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Pope's abstract and conceptual ideas are delivered withintensity and clarity because they are concretized in images (Kallich 1 7).Thus, man's vulnerability in the grand scheme of things is magnified whenhe is compared with the frolicking lamb that is ignorant of his impendingslaughter (Pope 3.81-4). Furthermore, any imbalance caused by the imperfectrevolt against the divine circle will ultimately result in the completedisintegration of the universe: "... Pope's Essay on Man is impressive for itsencapsulation of a world that has dimensions that are beyond thecomprehension and perception of the greatest human being. Especially for Pope's contemporary readers, these diverse images havea tremendous effect because they come from familiar sources (Kallich 11 -1). Duringcertain periods, man can delude himself into thinking that nature iscreated for man's use. Furthermore, the use of antitheses is particularly apt for Pope'stheme of nature that "subsists by elemental strife" (Pope 5.169)(Kallich82). Thus, through the use ofantitheses, Pope successfully conveys the grandiose scope of the universeand God's unlimited vision, thus emphasizing Man's limited perception(Kallich 8 ). Therefore, in God's "great chain" (Pope 1.33), man only occupies a"rank" in the structure (Pope 2.48). Ed. First, the poem is full of archetypal images, such as the image of thescales of justice (4.113). Antithesis can enable the poet to deliver hisintent powerfully with sharp and concise lines (Kallich 73). Using man as asatirical target, Pope depicts him as a "mock-hero" full of aspirations whodesires to assert his power, but constantly falls miserably short of hisgoals (2.52-5)(Gedalof 188). This image occurs immediately within thefirst few lines of the poem when Pope highlights the universe where "otherplanets circle other suns" and systems run into other systems (Pope 1.25-6). Through hisegocentric perspective of the world, man believes that the world is createdonly to satisfy his own needs and desires (Pope 5.131-4 ). One of these motifs is the image ofthe cosmic circles (Kallich 46). According to him, it is the "Passion" and the tension of theseopposing forces that generates the "general Order" (5.17 ). However, in other instances, nature unleashes itsfury in the forms of droughts and earthquakes (Pope 5.131-44). Other images come from the familiar day-to-day environment, such as the variety of animals and insects present inthe epistle (Kallich 13 -1). New York: Columbia UP, 1974.Mack, Maynard. Maynard Mack. The concluding lines of his first epistle epitomizesthe power of paradox in capturing the essence of a complex issue: "AllNature is but Art.../All Chance, Direction.../All Discord, Harmony..."(1 .289-91)(Solomon 157-8). Infact, juxtaposition is used frequently to illuminate the oppositionaldifferences that characterize the universe. However, this is not a simple satirical portrait to put man backin his proper position. For example, man's fateis contradictory: "This hour a slave, the next a deity" (Pope 2.68). The paradox described above succinctlycaptures the fact that a singular perspective cannot fully encapsulate thediversity and complexity of life and nature (Solomon 169). Alexander Pope: A Life. As with the employment ofantithesis, Pope illuminates the central opposing forces that animate theuniverse, and this poem (Solomon 158). Therefore, manshould recognize that he is only one part of God's scheme and not thecentral nor the primary component. Sometimes,the persona seems to be giving an objective depiction of the universe fromthe vantage point of God: "Beast, bird, fish, insect, what no eye cansee,/No glass can reach; from Infinite to thee,..." (Pope 8.239-4 ). Furthermore, Man's inferiority is also contrasted withGod's superiority: "Man.../In human works, though laboured on with pain,/Athousand movements scare one purpose gain;/In God's, one single can its endproduce;" (Pope 2.51-5). The contrast between these entities isincreased by the direct juxtaposition of these concepts (Gedalof 197). For example, even while he wishes tosoar through the skies like an angel, he also yearns for the strength ofbulls (6.173-6). Tuscaloosa: U Of Alabama P, 1993. Pope points out that because man possesses a limitedperception of the world, he considers tempests and earthquakes to betragedies. can apart contain the whole?" (Pope 1.32) and "'Tis but a part we see, and not awhole" (Pope 2.6 ). Through these images, Popeclearly establishes the reality that God has created an incredibleuniverse, which has surpassed the efforts of humankind. "Doctrinal to an Age: Notes towards a Revaluation of Pope's Essay on Man." Essential Articles for the Study of Alexander Pope. Therecurrent word "submit" (Pope 5.164; 1 .285) in this epistle encapsulatesthe perspective of Pope that man should conform to the way of the world. In epistle I, Pope celebrates the dramatic nature of the universe thatis not composed solely of all similar entities, but filled with opposingforces. Thus, Pope successfully highlights the folly and pride ofman. Therefore, Pope's purpose in this poem is to remindman to accept his position in the universal scheme, instead of craving formore power or resources. In other instances, the persona thunders at thereader with a dramatic voice that intermingles fury with mockery: "Is thegreat chain.../...upheld by God, or thee?/Presumptuous Man!..." (Pope 1.33-5). Although the above discussion of the antithesis presents an over-simplified use of this technique, Pope actually employs it to achievecomplex objectives. Apart from highlighting thelimitations of human perception vis-ŕ-vis that of God, Pope indirectlycriticizes theologians and other learned writers who seek to impose aunivocal perspective on life. "The Implicit Mock-Heroic in Pope's Essay on Man." Genre XIII (Summer 198 ): 187-2 1.Kallich, M. This bounty of nature is vividly described (5.133-4 ). Epistle oneopens with vivid scenes of contrasting entities: the Wild that is full ofweeds (symbolizing evil) and flowers (symbolizing good); and a Garden thatappears innocent enough until it is revealed that it is tempting with"forbidden fruit" (Pope 1.7-8). In a complexway, the struggle between opposites has a synthesizing force of creating auniverse that is filled with life and vitality (Kallich 82-3). Apart from the alternating tones, certain recurrent motifs alsoprovide a structural unity to the poem. Therefore, Pope challenges the prevalentcertainty of many adherents of Christianity that they can increase theirchances of a good afterlife by doing good works. However, Pride quickly disappears when the merciless Nature assertsits power with droughts and earthquakes (5.142-3). Furthermore, the reader is literally drawn into thepoem, not solely as a passive spectator, but also as an active participantin this grandiose drama of the universe (Solomon 84-5). In the first epistle of An Essay on Man, Alexander Pope presents asecularized and objective perspective of humanity and nature, which isfreed from the bias of specific religions or supernatural beliefs (Kallich3; Mack 525). Furthermore, the landscape ranges from"latent tracts" to "giddy heights" (1.11). DeKalb: Northern Illinois UP, 1967.Keener, Frederick M. The centralantithesis in this poem is the opposition between God and Man (...of Godabove, or Man below)(Pope 1.17), along with their corresponding images. Thus, heasserts that man can only discover the reality of his fate when he dies,not before because "what future bliss, [God] gives not the to know" (Pope3.93). The Rape of the Text: Reading and Misreading Pope's Essay on Man. An Essay on Pope. W. In contrast, Pope extols the innocence and simplicity of the Indianwho respects the natural order because "[h]e asks no Angel's wing, noSeraph's fire" (Pope 3.11 ). In a humorous portrait, Pope shows theinsatiable desire of man who wants every positive attribute even thoughthey are irreconcilable (Gedalof 189). In the next section, Pride acts like a king who indulges inthe richness of nature. Without these visualimages, the significance of the Pope's message would be infinitelydiminished. Nonetheless, Popehas come close in taking the reader on an extraordinary journey all overthe universe, from the wilderness to the planets in the skies. From Pope's point of view, any part of the universe that revoltsagainst its role threatens the existence of the universe, because it is"[inverting] the laws of Order" and "sinning against th'Eternal Cause"(4.129-3 )(Kallich 51). In Pope's call for humankind to conform to the universal scheme, heis also indirectly attacking the theologians and religious leaders whoclaim to know about the afterlife or divine power (Solomon 98). Following this astrological picture, Pope presents the reader with animage of the cosmic frame with "bearings and the ties," forging "strongconnexions, nice dependencies" (Pope 1.29-3 ). Replete with images, epistle I is representative of the poem's vividand dramatic power. Hamden: Archon, 1964, 329-345.Gedalof, Allan J. In order to capture the epic vision of the universe and man's complexrole, Pope employs a plethora of poetic, dramatic and satirical techniques.One of the chief structural characteristics of this poem is the radical andrapid shift between dramatically different tones (Keener 64). New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1972.Solomon, Harry M. Ed. Norton, 1985.Pope, Alexander. Wimsatt. Like adivine representative from the court of God, the persona unveils theawesome beauty of the surrounding landscape from the wilderness and thegarden to the great expanse of the skies replete with stars and planets(Pope 1.17-3 )(Kallich 45). New York: W. William K. For example, the use of antitheses in this poemsuccinctly captures the ambivalent position of man. Throughout the epistle, Popehighlights the pride of men who aspire to be angels (Pope 4.126) and theultimately to play the role of "God of God" (Pope 4.122). Heav'n's First Law: Rhetoric and Order in Pope's Essay on Man. According to Pope, allthat man can do is hope (3.91)(Kallich 98). Even the vice of Pride is animated so that thereader can see him leaving his proper place and surging towards the skies(Pope 4.123-4). By incorporating these dramatic shifts in tonality, Pope heightens thedramatic intensity of the poem and captures the sheer scope of his subject-matter-the universe. In addition, Pope uses the technique of antithesis to symbolize thediversity of life and nature that confronts man (Kallich 79). Godis representative of the Whole, while Man is related only to the Part(Kallich 74). However, in the overall scheme of the universe, they haveoccurred for a good reason (Pope 5.143-6)(Kallich 1 ; Cameron 332).Ultimately, man is "as perfect as he ought" to be (Pope 2.7 ) and placed ina perfect position "in a certain sphere" (Pope 2.73)(Kallich 15). Furthermore,through the use of antitheses and vivid images, Pope juxtaposes effectivelythe contrast between human desire for higher aspirations and the actualreality. However,according to Pope, in reality, God's actions serve a larger purpose thatextends beyond the needs and desires of humanity; rather, He ensures theultimate well-being of all the creatures and entities of the universe (Pope9.267-8 )(Kallich 8). Another structural principle that binds the poem tightly is thetechnique of antithesis. Through theuse of antitheses, Pope produces a satirical effect in his mockery of man'spresumptuous belief of his own importance (Kallich 42-3). Towards the end of EpistleI, the "ethereal frame" is mentioned again in reference to the universe(Pope 9.27 ). Using a variety of poetic and dramatic techniques, Pope succeeds inpainting a panoramic view of the universe from the human perspective, thushighlighting the small role of man in God's divine scheme. Therefore, the reader is bombarded with alively, though dizzying impression of this immense world that is way beyondhis power to envision, let alone control. Alexander Pope: Selected Poetry & Prose. M. These relationships recur throughout epistle 1: "... Furthermore, many of the scientific discoveriesabout the Earth and planets found in the age of Enlightenment also findtheir place in this poem (1.24-8). Although Pope mocks at man's ability to play God, he emphasizes theimportant position man plays in the overall scheme of things (2.7 -2) (Mack543). According to Pope's image of the universe, God has created aharmonious world consisting of different components, of which man is only apart. Through this poem, Pope seeks to illuminate the ambivalent positionof man and expose his pride in attempting to play God. Works CitedCameron, J. Paradox is also used by Pope to illuminate the inherent complexity ofhis subject-matter. the Whole must fall./Let Earthunbalanc'd from her orbit fly,..." (Pope 8.25 -1).

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