The Works of Alexander Pope, Volume 2 (of 10) Poetry - Volume 2

"The Works of Alexander Pope, Volume 2 (of 10)" by Alexander Pope is a compilation of poems and essays from the 1700s which has a strong focus on literature. Included is the "Essay on Criticism," a piece that considers how to judge writing, and what makes writing good. The book also has previously unreleased letters and discussion, so one can get a better understanding of Pope's views and ideas when it comes to being an author and critique. The "Essay on Criticism" begins by discussing the difficulty of writing and judging literature, stating that it is often easier to write badly than to judge well. He thinks about how nature influences writing, while cautioning against the dangers of arrogance. Pope pushes for balancing established writing rules with unique, individual voices of an author. This exploration emphasizes the importance of understanding limitations and the back-and-forth between critics and creators.