Alexander Pope and The Augustan Age - Essay Example

Alexander Pope and The Augustan Age Is it possible to reconcile Pope's optimistic principle that ' Whatever is, is right' (An Essay on Man) with the pessimism apparent in the works of several Augustan writers? The Augustan age or Neoclassicism is generally regarded a long and prolific era in the history of British literature and culture. This age has made an indelible mark in history with its intellectual remarks and embellished writers. The neoclassical writers turned back to the classics— taking materials from classical literature and attempting to follow classical models and classical examples. The intellectual curiosity of the neoclassical writers with regard to the outside world is also notable. Neoclassicism extended its hands to the acquisition and spreading of knowledge which helped in gaining the name the epoch of ‘the Enlightenment’ (Scribd n. d.). “This general thirst for knowledge immediately influenced literature: its aesthetic function rapidly diminished and literature was considered primarily as a means of education, becoming mostly didactic and moral” (Scribd. n. d.). This thirst for knowledge has been clearly expressed in the literary works published during this time. Majority of the writers published writings, either with religious contents or they shared their pessimistic perception with the literary world. Rationalism was another feature of this age and the writers of this time articulated their interest in human beings and in observing human activities. It is this observation that enabled the writers to have an overview or observation of life. “Imagination was controlled- it was enclosed in the frame of probability and verisimilitude; a sober air of attempted objectivism dominated in the works of Defoe and Pope, Fielding and Smollett, and even those of Swift” (Scribd. n. d.). People, during this time believed that God was the Creator and Christ has divine power. As the Creator or Constructor of Nature, God is not intervening in the human affairs. People suspected the religion, especially the fanatic Puritan attitudes. This is the fact that leads the researcher to the perception that Alexander Pope’s statement, “Whatever is, is Right” is reconciling with the Pessimism apparent in Neoclassical age. Considering the Augustan age, one can see that it was Oliver Goldsmith who first designated the early 18th century as the Augustine age. It has also been named as the Age of Pope and the outstanding works of John Dryden, his contemporary was another feature of this age. One can find the fact that English literature, in Augustine age, had acquired its glorious status through the writings of Pope, Addison, Swift, Johnson, and Burke. Literary critics have often commented that among the English satirists, Pope occupies a great place. Because of his physical constitution, Pope often ridiculed individual weaknesses of Englishmen as well as female sex. As a believer of Roman Catholic religion, Pope had subjected for the contempt and hatred of many English people. Catholic people were deeply burdened with various taxes and were prohibited from acquiring real property. One can comprehend Pope’s style through the words of Paul Baines when he rightly observed Poe’s style of writing. According to the author, “Pope’s handling of seemingly opposed moods (insolence, elegance, majesty, the ludicrous, pathos) is not only a sign of wonderful versatility, but is the mark of a truly creative engagement with the world” (Baines, 2000. P.159) Such restrictions later forced him to think about pessimism and the ways to attack Protestantism through the medium of writing. Above all, Pope’s life was a series of petty machinations, trickeries and deceptions. Revenge and pessimism are the only expression of such a man of irritable and suspicious nature. Literature has often been regarded as the interpretation of life and a means for criticizing the follies and foibles of society. Majority of the writers during Augustine age used literature as powerful weapon to portray the seamy side of English society. The works of Richard Steel and Addison have explored the gay fopperies; ball dances club sittings, cock-hunting and religious deterioration. The Tatler and The Spectator portrayed the culture of coffee houses and paved the way for serious literary discussions. A kind of rational outlook and visible influence of French were the considerable features of the writings in Augustine Age. Respectability and structured conformity played a vital role in literature. Boundless imagination and overflowing enthusiasm were vanished in Augustine age. Rational thinking and wit took precedence over imagination. People in English society repress their real emotions and this hypocrisy has often revealed in literature. One of the most vibrant elements in the writings of Augustine Age is the replacement of imagination into reason. One can see eminent poets like Pope and Dryden replacing individual convictions with social convictions. Dryden’s satires are unique in literature and they are filled with rich political vigor, personal animosity and anti-Puritan spirit. Similar features are certain with Jonathan Swift, another Augustan writer. Swifts irony and sarcasm are identifiable in his major work Gulliver’s Travels. He draws out the reactions of geographical explorations and the opposition of people against the colonial attitude in this novel. The words of Raymond D. Tumbleson (1998) are helpful in recognizing Swift as writer. According to Tumbleson, “Swift is radical because he is a reactionary” (p.164). Thus it makes clear Swift’s reaction against the social injustice of his time. The 18th century witnessed many outstanding works in English literature. This period came to be known as the Augustan age, neoclassical and the age of reason. The writers like Alexander pope, Jonathan swift, Daniel Defoe and John Gay had a strong influence by rendering great literary achievements to this period. Their works exhibited great qualities of order, clarity and stylistic decorum that were formulated in the major critical documents of the age (The Augustan Age, 2001). An analysis of both the novels, Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe and Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift will make it clear that there is strong relationship between these works. One can find various aspects which are common or similar in both the novels. Reasons may be diverse but it is sure that both the writers were prompted by their own experiences in life and their attitude towards the society they were belonging to. Above all they were forced to follow the common features of their literary age. These factors prompted them to portrait their heroes as trained military soldiers and they have been the common great quality of clear thought when they are exposed to tensions and troubled times. As Daniel Defoe was knowledgeable and proficient in seamanship, he could understand what skills should be attributed to the soldier and how to adapt to the situation especially when desolated. In all these areas Defoe could contribute much from his own experience. Being a strong believer in God Defoe believed that it is nothing but the providence of god that shapes the lives of human beings and if anything happens unusually, that is god’s way. Similar to Defoe’s hero, Gulliver also is a man possesses adventure and a mentally sound individual. He also possesses the ability to see the poor humanities of mankind. It is clear that both Robinson and Gulliver are changing characters. They realized the achievements, failures, and stupidity of mankind through solitude, trauma, conquest and failure and thus they could see the hidden details of life as well (JarJarBinks, 2004). The rational skepticism of this time brings out its basic difference with Renaissance. Comparing to Renaissance, one can see that Neoclassicism was little more standardized and conventional. It followed the diction and style of classical writers. The political sphere in Augustan age has also exerted influence in molding the literary output of that epoch. The political occurrences of this era clearly indicate that the “eighteenth-century politicians were merely rationalizations of self ambition and base motives” (Dickinson, 1979 p.2). Man involved in political field only with the desire to acquire and exercise power. The political thinkers and ideologists evoked political ideologies to satisfy their ambition and their personal dignity. The analysis of the political scenario of Augustan age reveals that there is no casual relationship between political thought and political action. This leads to the inference that Augustan culture had many peculiarities when comparing it with other ages. Many writers have aptly commented on this peculiarity. Blanford Parker (1998), in his book entitled, The triumph of Augustan poetics: English literary culture from Butler to Johnson, makes an evaluation of the Augustan culture when he writes thus, “…Augustan culture in England, like the classical French culture of the eighteenth century, is the culture of narrow class of progressive individuals” (p.24). The progressive thoughts of these individuals could bring tremendous changes in this era. Commercialization in literature in the eighteenth century has been subjected for the severe criticisms from the great writers of that time. Tyler Cowen (2000) in his book, In praise of commercial culture, makes a clear assessment of the pessimistic approach of the writers. The author could find out the eighteenth century writers as commenting over the cultural decline of the age. Cowen regards Alexander Pope as a ‘leading literary pessimist’ (p.75) who opposed the commercialization of writing. Cowden writes, “The pessimists claimed that fame no longer motivates great writers in a commercialized world” (p.74). Thus it is quite evident that the eighteenth century pessimists opposed many social evils of that time. Regarding Pope’s ‘Essay on Man’ and his religious concept, one can agree with the observation of Leopold Damrosch (1987) in his book, In praise of commercial culture, when the author accurately commented thus, “At the deepest level, Pope’ religious yearnings are for ethical harmony rather than dogmatic certainty, and the ‘Essay on Man’ is an attempt to establish just as much belief as will adequately ground ethics” (p.161). Pope has effectively used his ‘Essay on Man’ to express his philosophical concepts. According to Damrosch (1987), “If Pope had never written the Essay on Man, an extended review of his philosophical ideas might not readily suggest itself.” To conclude, one can infer that the eighteenth century was an era which had marked with a note on pessimism. Majority of the writers during this period were moved by the characteristics of this age. When the majority moved with the tide, some attempted to prevent the general flow of social, political current. Though there were some peculiarities, like rationalism, and the imitation of the classical literature, neoclassical writers preached the ways of religion and God. They strongly believed that God is the creator or constructor who does not have interest in the daily affairs human beings. As God is omnipotent God knows everything. After reading through the principle of Alexander Pope with regard to his concept, ‘Whatever is, is right,’ one can understand that Pope was really attempting ‘To vindicate the ways of God to man’ (Pope, 1828 p.67). The age was marked with the conflict between the Roman Catholics and the Protestants. The Protestants never spared the opportunity to suppress the Roman Catholics. As a Roman Catholic, Alexander Pope severely criticized Protestantism through his satires other writings. It is the bitter experiences of their life that led the writers of Augustan age to present their writings with pessimism. While reading through the poems of Pope, one can identify him as handling opposite moods, may be influenced with the features of his age. He attacked Protestantism through his Pessimistic approach. One can also find the element of revenge in his writings. The same feature is identifiable in the writings of Swift and Dryden. Swift’s ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ and Defoe’s ‘Robinson Crusoe’ express the sober side of life. The portrayal of the seamy side of life was quite common in the writings of those days. The works of Addison and Steele clearly indicate the rational outlook of this epoch. Rationalism can also be included among the characteristics of this age. The people and writers of this age were forced to hide or suppress real emotions and keep hypocritical faces. Dryden’s satires were notable with anti-puritan spirit, political vigor and personal animosity. The comparison of the writings published during this era reveal the common features like isolation, suffering, optimism and so on. Pope and other writers believed in the providence of God that shapes the life of human beings. All these factors lead the researcher to the conclusion that Alexander Pope’s statement, “Whatever is, is Right” is reconciling with the Pessimism apparent in Neoclassical writers. Works cited: Brückmann Carr Patricia. A manner of correspondence: a study of the Scriblerus Club. Illustrated Edition, McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP, 1997. Print Blanford Parker. The triumph of Augustan poetics: English literary culture from Butler to Johnson Cambridge University Press, 1998. Print Baines Paul. The complete critical guide to Alexander Pope, Routledge, 2000. Print Cowen Tyler. In praise of commercial culture. Illustrated Edition, Harvard University Press, 2000. Print Dickinson. H. T. Liberty and property: political ideology in eighteenth-century Britain, Publisher Taylor & Francis, 1979. Print “General view of neo-classicism.” Scribd.com (n. d.). Web. 10 August 2010 JarJarBinks. “Robinson Crusoe and Gulliver's Travels - The Soldier Within.” Jul 5, 2004. Web. August 10, 2010 Leopold Damrosch. The imaginative world of Alexander Pope. Illustrated Edition, University of California Press, 1987. Print Pope Alexander. An essay on man: in four epistles to H. St. John, Lord Bolingbroke. S. Andrus, Original from Harvard University, 1828. Print Tumbleson D. Raymond. Catholicism in the English Protestant imagination: nationalism, religion, and literature, 1660-1745. Illustrated Edition, Cambridge University Press, 1998. Print “The Augustan Age.” Ruth Nestvold, 2001. Web. 10 August 2010 Read More