An Epistle of Man: Social Commentary in Poetry Form

Alexander Pope dishing out

An Essay on Man: Epistle 1 is a social commentary written as a poem. The author uses personification, hyperboles, metaphors, and his opinions to tell us about the limits of man. He shows us the central theme that humans are created to have limits, and that we should not try to go over those limits. He proves this through many points where he states outright that we should not try to be like God.

The author uses personification, hyperboles, metaphors, and his opinions to tell us about the limits of man.

Human VS. God Shows Us the Limits of Man

One of the things that Alexander Pope says is, “What can we reason, but from what we know” (Pope 1.2). This is to explain human nature. Humans are controlled by their minds. Our minds are what we use to think and reason. When Pope says, “What can we reason, but from what we know?”, he’s saying that our minds are limited. With limited minds, there is only so much that we can think of. We can’t suddenly think of stuff we never knew about. On the contrary, God’s knowledge is limitless, thus, He can reason with everything, and His thoughts are limitless.

In section two, Pope says, “So man, who here seems principal alone, perhaps acts second to some sphere unknown” (section 2 line 22). He is trying to say that even though we are weak and incapable, we are part of a bigger plan, of a bigger being. This bigger being, God, has limitless knowledge and therefore knows better than we do, so we should listen to Him and do what He says. We should not try to leave “this sphere unknown” because we are part of God’s plan, and we should do what He says. Since He has no limits, it is only reasonable that we do what He says, since we are so insignificant compared to Him.

Section six describes the unreasonableness of man’s complaints against Providence; God is good, giving and taking equally. If man had the omniscience of God, he would be miserable: “The bliss of man (could pride that blessing find), is not to act or think beyond mankind” (section 6 lines 17-18). Why should we try to go above our limits if all it does is hurt us? Pope is saying that this does not make sense. If we comply to God’s requests, we will be safe and happy, so it is dumb to go against His will, especially if all that is going to happen to us is bad things.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this poem reflects the status of human. It says that we are created with limits, and that we should not try to go over these limits, because all that would do is cause us trouble. This piece of social commentary offers us Alexander Pope’s opinion on how we should act and do what God asks from us.