An Essay on Man

Lines 1-16 are a dedication to Henry St. John, a friend of Pope’s. The speaker urges St. John to abandon the “meaner things” (Line 1) in life and turn his attention toward the higher, grander sphere by reflecting on human nature and God.

In section 1 (Lines 17-34), the speaker argues that humans cannot see the universe from God’s perspective. Therefore, people cannot understand the entirety of the universe. The universe is composed of “worlds unnumber’d” (Line 21); only God can see how everything is connected through “nice dependencies” (Line 30). The speaker compares these connections to a “great chain” (Line 33).

In section 2 (Line 35-76), the speaker says that humans are “presumptuous” (Line 35) in believing that they are at the center of the universe. The speaker appoints God as the universe’s center. The speaker argues that everything is supported by God’s existence and reason, not by the existence or actions of humans. Humans are small and weak and lesser than God. Just as the oak tree is larger than the weeds surrounding it, and Jupiter’s moons are smaller than Jupiter, humans are smaller and frailer than God. The speaker compares the relationship between humans and God to the relationship between a horse and his master, saying that all human behaviors and emotions are part of God’s larger vision.