Perfect Misunderstanding
Perfect Misunderstanding: As Understood by Epistle I of "An Essay on Man" Alexander Pope's "An Essay on Man" is a crowning achievement, as it enjoys, simultaneously, the arching comprehensiveness of a distinguished volume, and the judicious simplicity of poetry. Brimming with sensuous body, yet tapered with metered rhyme, "Essay on Man," presents itself as a literary aesthetic that is difficult for the reader not to revel in. The actual content of the work justifies the author's extreme attention to detail and the many nuances discharged throughout the work. It is, in one sense, a methodic categorization explaining the science of human nature, and in another sense, it is a touching, yet poignant reflection on Man's relationship with the Universe. One of the major thematic points of the works is based upon the idea that "whatever is, is right." Pope's understanding of this idea is made evident in the first epistle: "Of systems possible if 'tis confessed/That wisdom infinite must form the best" (l. 43-44). The reference to "wisdom infinite" to be interpreted as 'Nature' or 'God,' Pope makes it quite clear early in the work that Man was created in a state of relative perfection, his instinctual abilities, and physical
The author uses this apparent cynicism to portray the worldly or 'tutored' humans as too smart for their own good, as it is a beautiful mind and free spirit that is able to experience God in every facet of nature. Pope, in keeping with the utopian vision, does communicate that utopia does not always mean peaceful and serene; it does, however, always mean that everything should be allowed to be (and accepted) 'as it is. First, he sarcastically references the "poor Indian" whose earthly sensibilities sees "God in clouds, or hears him in the wind" (l. Pope makes sure, even, to cover the subtle beginnings of prideful lusting (those who merely desire to know that which is impossible to understand): "And who but wishes to invert the laws/Of ORDER, sins against th' eternal cause" (l. No matter that ultimate happiness and genuine accord with the greater Creation lay in this 'benighted' state. Pope contends that the human's consideration of his or her own strengths and weaknesses is highly presumptuous, as it is neither their place to question God's judgment, nor is prudent to judge oneself more 'belonging' that another of God's creations. Simply stated, there would be no need for God's presence or judgment if Man had the ability to deem certain conditions too harsh or detrimental to his existence. This notion of corrective-ness, inherently lends itself to the belief that humans are a flawed creation. But humans, ever the arrogant and insolent 'first-borns,' will never be contented with not knowing the very purpose for which they were created. Having already prefaced these ideas with the gradations of Order (spirit, man, brute), Pope is astonished that humans do not use those animals created to benefit them to the utmost of their abilities, while at the same time, yearning for themselves the very attributes the animals possess. To sustain his opinion that Man is better served being content with his God-given abilities and talents, Pope presents this theoretical question: "Heaven from all creatures hides the book of fate,/All but the page prescribed, their present state;/From brutes what men, from men what spirits know:/Or who could suffer being here below?" (l. Humans should, like the frolicking lamb, be satisfied with the knowledge they are able to acquire and realize that they were created for a purpose they will never have the ability to understand.
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