Essay on Criticism

As a student, I am constantly learning new things and obtaining knowledge that I had not once had. The irony in learning new things is that it only makes me realize how many other things I need to learn as well. Learning how to solve a math equation can be incredibly difficult and sometimes frightening. Realizing that the equation I just learned to solve will lead me to a harder and much more confusing equation, is even more frightening. Obtaining knowledge is a long journey that never seems to end. Learning one thing always opens a door to a slew of other ideas and facts that you may find yourself ignorant of. In Alexander Pope’s “An Essay on Criticism”, Pope explains poetically that the more you learn, the more you realize you don’t know anything.

“An Essay on Criticism” is written in iambic pentameter and arranged into five separate paragraphs. Pope, the narrator of the poem, begins the poem by stating, “A little learning is a dangerous thing.” This very first sentence sets the theme of the poem, which is that acquiring knowledge will lead you on a never-ending journey of learning. An allusion is made to the muses drinking from a spring, “Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian Spring.” This is addressed to young writers and a paradox is used, “a little learning is a dangerous thing.” Pope states that the best writing comes from the young because they are constantly learning about the world around them and do not restrain their thoughts

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and imaginations, “in fearless youth we attempt the heights of arts.” Although Pope believes that the youth have broad imaginations, he finds them to be incredibly naпve, “shorts views we take, nor see the lengths behind.” Youngsters do not look past their own actions to see the consequences. Pope continues to explain that the youth does not look past what something obviously is, “the first clouds and mountains seem to be the last”, but only sees what is right in front of them. Pope finds the youth incapable of creating great art because they are not wise enough to understand the depth of life.

The second stanza is dedicated to art in its’ entirety. He explains that one aspect of something that is beautiful does not make the entire object beautiful, “tis not a lip, or eye, we call beauty.” A woman may have beautiful eyes, but does not make her entirely beautiful, and a rose may have a pretty petal, but that does not make the whole rose pretty. This can apply to writing as well; a single word in a poem does not make the poem meaningful and beautiful, it is all of the words put together that makes a poem great.

In the third stanza, Pope explains that thoughts and opinions are not always easily expressed, “what oft was thought, be ne’er so well expressed.” It is easy for a person to understand what is in their heart and know in their mind how they want to express it, but when it comes to communicating their thoughts, their words do not always do justice to their true feelings. The metaphor, “shade more sweetly recommend the lights”, is used to explain that writing styles must vary so the writer can fully interpret the meaning of it. Pope criticizes the opinions that some people have about art