Alexander Pope's "An Essay on Criticism"

Paper Summary:

This paper analyzes Alexander Pope's statements on the quality of criticism in reference to "An Essay on Criticism." It examines Pope's doubts of the expertise of other critics as well as the quality of their criticisms. The paper also breaks down Pope's definition of a good and fair critic.

From the Paper:

"There was no doubt that the use of wit and reason required very intensive learning. Pope used nature, a spring of water, as an illustration which could help clear the critic's brains from their shallow judgment. The inexperienced and immature critics tended to take a short view. Therefore, they missed the entire point of the work they were reviewing. Pope's concrete example was to climb the Alps. This climbing required intensive labor, however, when one had reached the top, one could see all the surroundings below."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "An Essay on Criticism." The Critical Tradition. Ed. David H. Richter Boston, MA: Bedford Books. 1998. 208-217.
• Arnold, Matthew. "The English Poets: Chaucer to Donne." 1880. Literature Criticism from 1400 to 1800. Vol. 3. Ed. James E. Person, Jr. Detroit: Gale Research Company, 1989. 284-279.
• Chesterton, G. K. "Pope and the Art of Satire." 1902. Literature Criticism from 1400 to 1800. Vol. 3. Ed. James E. Person, Jr. Detroit: Gale Research Company, 1989. 285-287.
• Ruffhead, Owen. "The Life of Alexander Pope." 1769. Literature Criticism from 1400 to 1800. Vol. 3. Ed. James E. Person, Jr. Detroit: Gale Research Company, 1989. 268-269.
• Ruskin, John. "The Relation of Art to Morals." 1870. Literature Criticism from 1400 to 1800. Vol. 3. Ed. James E. Person, Jr. Detroit: Gale Research Company, 1989. 278-279.

More papers on Alexander Pope's "An Essay on Criticism":

• Essay # 138126 : "ALexander Pope"
• Essay # 30686 : "Pope and Defoe on Women."
• Analytical Essay # 53431 : "Early English Literary Criticism"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: