Man the Word 'Man' Is Used Throughout

¶ … Man The word 'man' is used throughout Pope's poem and refers to humankind as a whole, not necessarily the male species. As Pope states in the beginning of Epistle I, his intent is to "But vindicate the ways of God to man" (Pope pp). He sets out to demonstrate a Christian-based cosmogony, or rather his theory of how the universe was created (Cody pp). Pope draws on the contemporary scientific discoveries of the day, especially those of Isaac Newton (Cody pp).

This first Epistle concerns the nature of man and his place within the universe, while Epistle II deals with man as an individual, his basic nature and state of being (Cody pp). Epistle III concerns man, the individual, in relation to human society as a whole, as well as to the political and social classes, and Epistle IV, concerns humankind's pursuit of happiness (Cody pp).

Alexander Pope's "Essay on Man" is a work that illustrates the importance of faith in God, and belief that His plan is actually divine order, regardless of how chaotic it might seem to humans (Cody pp). Because human beings cannot possibly comprehend the total essence of universal order, and thus can only understand partial truths, they must therefore rely on hope and faith to guide them (Cody pp).

In the second verse of Epistle I, Pope writes, "Then say not man's imperfect, Heaven in fault; Say rather man's as perfect as he ought: His knowledge measured to his state and place; His time a moment, and a point his space. If to be perfect in a certain sphere, What matter, soon or late, or here or there? The blest to-day is as completely so, As who began a thousand years ago. (Pope pp).

In Epistle II, Pope describes man as rather fumbling through life, wondering where he actually stands in the world, and writes in the first verse, "He hangs between; in doubt to act, or rest; In doubt to deem himself a god, or beast; In doubt his mind or body to prefer; Born but to die, and reasoning but to err" (Pope pp).

In Epistle III, verse five, Pope writes of man's place within society, "Great Nature spoke; observant men obeyed; Cities were built, societies were made: Here rose one little state: another near Grew by like means, and joined, through love or fear" (Pope pp). Speaking of how war and commerce changes the relationship between societies, "What war could ravish, commerce could bestow, And he returned a friend, who came a foe .. Thus States were formed; the name of king unknown, 'Till common interest placed the sway in one" (Pope pp).

In Epistle IV, Pope explains that happiness is equal in God's eye, "Heaven breathes through every member of the whole One common blessing, as one common soul. But fortune's gifts if.