summarry of the poem HUMAN FOLLY by (Alexander Pope)
Answers
The poet begins by saying that whatever the enthusiasm, learning, popularity or wealth one’s neighbor has no one would like to change places with his neighbor. These lines suggest that every person is satisfied with his lot and takes pride in it. Illustrating this point of view the poet writes that the knowledgeable person is contented with his process of research and explorations of nature. The foolish person finds happiness in his ignorance that he possesses. The wealthy person is joyful with his ample wealth given to him by God. The poor man is satisfied and feels that inspite of his poverty God will take care of him or protect him.
The poet then talks of a blind beggar who was dancing and the handicapped who sang. Then there was the drunkard, who portrayed himself as the new and the man one as a king. The poet mentions the chemist (a scholar in Chemistry), who inspite of his starvation is thoughtful about his future; and the poet who feels blessed in his poetic imagination. People find one or the other thing to provide them some unique solace in every situation. Pride is a universal human trait. Every man has some enthusiasm in him according to his age. Hope always remains with us throughout our life and even after death. For example a child is easily amused by a little toy like a rattle and even by a straw. Interests change with age; some ‘livelier plaything’ gives happiness to a person in his youth. Honour, wealth and power give pleasure to a grown-up man while beads of rosary and prayer-books are his favourites in old age. In this way man is pleased with one or the other toy even till his old age. This cycle goes on till death overpowers a man and the game of life is over.
Hence, in this poet has aptly summed up the frivolous nature of human life. True wisdom lies in seeing the futility of the pursuits of man. The words in the last line “life’s poor play is o’er” reminds of Shakespeare’s ‘All the World’s a stage’ speech.
Answer:
'Human Folly' is an excerpt from Pope's famous classical poem 'Essay on Man.' Alexander Pope is well-known for his wit and expression. Pope uses a highly concise, elegant, and epigrammatic manner in this piece, 'Human Folly,' to summarise his ideas on the human situation.
Explanation:
The poet begins by stating that no one would like to swap places with his neighbour, regardless of his zeal, knowledge, popularity, or fortune. These phrases imply that everyone is content with his or her situation in life and takes pride in it. The poet illustrates this point of view by writing that the knowing individual is satisfied with his process of investigation and exploration of nature. The foolish individual is content with the ignorance he possesses. The wealthy guy rejoices in his abundant wealth, which God has bestowed upon him. The impoverished man is content and believes that despite his poverty, God would take care of or protect him.
The poet then describes a blind beggar dancing and a crippled person singing. Then there was the alcoholic, who pretended to be the new and the man one to be the king. The poet cites a scientist (a chemical scholar) who, despite his poverty, is concerned about his future; and a poet who feels blessed in his lyrical imagination. In every scenario, people find something to give them with some special consolation. Pride is a common human characteristic. Every man, regardless of age, has some level of excitement. Hope is something that we carry with us throughout our lives and even after we die.
As a result, this poet has eloquently summarised the trivial essence of human life. True knowledge is seen in the futility of man's efforts. The closing phrase, "life's pitiful show is o'er," is reminiscent of Shakespeare's "All the World's a Stage" speech.
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