Throughout history, the arts and literature have been a form of rationalization of
             the minds and thoughts of an artist or writer. The progression or regression of
             knowledge over a period of time can be chronicled or mapped with the use of the
             literature and arts of these artists. More specifically, the major shift in thinking
             from 18th-century Neoclassicism to 19th-century Romanticism can be seen in the
             works of Alexander Pope and William Wordsworth. A deliberation on the works
             of these two authors show the differences, if not complete opposites between the
             The purpose of a poem can vary from poet to poet, but for the Neoclassic
             poet the main purpose was to educate the reader. During this time, Newton and
             other famous intellects were springing forth new ideas. Ideas such as explanations
             being formed in terms of moving particles. Pope shares this idea with the reader
             in "An Essay on Man" (stanza2?): "A thousand movements scarce one purpose
             gain". Pope's manner of writing is very straightforward. He makes firm
             statements instead of questionable presumptions and he does this as if he is
             teaching something with a purpose. This Neoclassic quality of teaching is seen in
             portions of his poem such as, "His knowledge measured to his state and place, his
             time a moment, and a point his space." (lines71-73) These uses of ideas and
             teaching in the poem make the poem less pleasurable for the reader to read as it
             allows no room for imagination and personal reflection. This is likely
             intentionally done by Pope as it was common in his time to write with a direct
             purpose rather than to please the reader.
             The purpose in writing for the Romantic poet is quite different from that of
             the Neoclassic poet. The Romantic poet wrote to please the reader rather than to
             educate. This can be seen in Wordsworth's poem "Ode: Intimations of
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