Essay on man written by alexander pope An essay on man is a poem published by alexander pope in the year 1733-34 it was dedicated to henry saint john first discount bullenbrook hence the opening line says awake saint john it is an effort to rationalize or rather vindicate the ways of God to man a variation of John Milton's claim in the opening lines of paradise lost that he will justify the ways of God to men. It is concerned with the natural order God has decreed for man because man cannot know god's purposes he cannot complain about his position in the great chain of being and must accept that whatever is is right a theme that was satirized by Voltaire in Candide more than any other work it popularized optimistic philosophy through England and the rest of Europe On its publication, an essay on man received great admiration throughout Europe Voltaire called it the most beautiful the most useful the most sublime didactic poem ever written in any language In 1756 ...