Pope/An Essay on Man/1 Epistle I The subtitle of the first epistle is Of the Nature and State of Man, with

Respect to the Universe, and this section deals with mans place in the cosmos. The introduction begins with an address to Henry St. John, Lord Bolingbroke, a friend of the poet from whose fragmentary philosophical writings Pope likely drew inspiration for An Essay on Man. Pope urges his friend to leave all meaner things and rather embark with Pope on his quest to vindicate the ways of God to man (1, 16). Section I argues that man can only understand the universe with regard to human systems and constructions because he is ignorant of the greater relationships between Gods creations. Section II states that man is imperfect but perfectly suited to his place within the hierarchy of creation according to the general order of things. Section III demonstrates that man's happiness depends on both his ignorance of future events and on his hope for the future. Section IV claims that mans sin of pridethe attempt to gain more knowledge and pretend to greater perfectionis the root of mans error and misery. By putting himself in the place of God, judging perfection and justice, man acts impiously.

Pope/An Essay on Man/2 Section V depicts the absurdity of mans belief that he is the sole cause of the creation as well as his ridiculous expectation of perfection in the moral world that does not exist in the natural world. Section VI decries the unreasonableness of mans 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 [...] / Is, not to act of think beyond mankind (189-90). Section VII shows that throughout the visible world, a universal order and gradation can be observed. This is particularly apparent in the hierarchy of earthly creatures and their subordination to man. Pope refers specifically to the gradations of sense, instinct, thought, reflection, and reason. Reason is superior to all. Section VIII indicates that if Gods rules of order and subordination are broken, the whole of creation must be destroyed. Section IX illustrates the madness of the desire to subvert Gods order. Section X calls on man to submit to Gods power. Absolute submission to God will ensure that man remains Safe in the hand of one disposing Powr (287). After all, Whatever is, is right (294).

Pope/An Essay on Man/3 Epistle II The subtitle of the second epistle is Of the Nature and State of Man, with Respect to Himself as an Individual and treats on the relationship between the individual and Gods greater design. Section I argues that man should not pry into Gods affairs but rather study himself, especially his nature, powers, limits, and frailties. Section II shows that the two principles of man are self-love and reason. Self-love is the stronger of the two, but their ultimate goal is the same. Section III describes the modes of self-love (i.e., the passions) and their function. Pope then describes the ruling passion and its potency. The ruling passion works to provide man with direction and defines mans nature and virtue.Section IV indicates that virtue and vice are combined in mans nature and that the two, while distinct, often mix. Section V illustrates the evils of vice and explains how easily man is drawn to it. Section VI asserts that mans passions and imperfections are simply designed to suit Gods purposes. The passions and imperfections are distributed to all individuals of each order of men in all societies. They guide man in every state and at every age of life.