Essence of Man

A detailed Summary of Essence of Man


In Alexander Pope's "An Essay on Man", he depicts man's recognition of his actual role in the universe versus his perceived role that is dominated by pride, passion, and envy. Pope writes that man "Is the great chain, that draws all to agree, / And drawn supports, upheld by God, or thee?" (I.I. 33-34) In this excerpt Pope implies that man is part of a scheme, the great chain of being, that has its place in the universe:

"So Man, who here seems principal alone,

Perhaps acts second to some sphere unknown,

Touches some wheel, or verges to some goal;

'Tis but a part we see, and not a whole." (I.II. 57-60)

Here Pope suggests that despite man's inability to grasp a firm understanding of the totality of the universal plan everything made by God has its purpose; and it is made according to His design.

Likewise, if man could conceptualize that he was created exactly the way God intended:

"And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and our all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the ea


Pope, Alexander. "An Essay on Man." The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces, Seventh Edition. Volume Two. Norton & Company, 1999.

When Pope ask the question, "Shall he alone, whom rational we call, / Be pleased with nothing, if not blessed with all?" (I.VI. 186-187) he implies that man would like to have all of the power and become the "God of God" (I.V. 121).

When Pope ask the question, "Shall he alone, whom rational we call, / Be pleased with nothing, if not blessed with all?" (I.VI. 186-187) he implies that man would like to have all of the power and become the "God of God" (I.V. 121).

Likewise, if man could conceptualize that he was created exactly the way God intended:

The King James Bible. Cleveland: The World Publishing Company, 1967.



Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 22644
Approximate Pages = 91 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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