Study Questions
1,X
	Group Discussion and Journal This section from a much longer poem explores the position of people in the universe. It suggests that there may be a large plan for all people and nature, but people cannot fully know or understand that plan or the power that made the plan ("All are but parts of one stupendous whole,/Whose body nature is, and God the soul" --from the stanza before this one). Does this poem suggest that we can completely comprehend what is happening to us and in our lives? Why not? Why does Pope say "All nature is but art"?  Does this poem suggest that we can relate to nature and find our true selves there? Unlike the Romantic poems we've read, what does this poem suggest about our relationship with nature? Pope asserts that disorder in the world may actually be part of the order of the world, but that our human minds cannot understand that order. He also suggests that some phenomena which seem random might actually have a clear purpose and cause. When he says that "All partial evil [is] universal good," what does he mean? Application & Wild Association Do you agree with the final statement that "Whatever IS, is right"? Explain your reasons.
II, I
	Group Discussion and Journal Pope's poem asserts that we can never really know or understand God, since he is too far above our human mental abilities. So Pope says that we should "Know then thyself." Why does he think that the "proper study of mankind is Man"? This excerpt both praises and criticizes people. Can you find examples of both? What human qualities does he praise? What human characteristics does he criticize? Why does the poet assert that people are "The glory, jest, and riddle of the world"? Application & Wild Association Do you agree or disagree with Pope's view of humanity? Explain your answer.