An Essay on Man by Alexander Pope An Essay on Man is an attempt to vindicate, as Milton had attempted to justify, God's ways towards man. Both attempt to explain God to man, but come to different conclusions. Milton states that man can overcome God's plan through faith and decency. On the contrary, Pope emphasizes that man must accept what life gives him without trying to change his destiny. Milton tries to "justify the ways of God to men" (Paradise Lost, 1.26) through example. Paradise Lost focuses on the fall of man and its consequences. After the fall of man, Adam and Eve must endure their punishments and achieve redemption. They can no longer live within the confines of Eden; but through faith and belief they will persevere. God gives Adam and Eve free will and the use of reason. Although they choose poorly and are punished with the pain and suffering of humanity, God allows Adam and Eve to live; although not as they were used to in Heaven. They must live life as we know it; with its weaknesses, its aspirations, the inevitable defeats; but with the knowledge of being able to overcome "Leave this Paradise, but you will possess / A Paradise within you, happier" (Paradise Lost, 12.586-587). Similar to Milton, Pope seeks to "vindicate the ways of God to man" (An Essay on Man, p. 2264.16), yet draws a different conclusion. The Pope believes that "Our error lies in pride, in reasoning in pride" (An Essay on Man, p. 2266.123). It sets out to demonstrate that no matter how flawed and disturbingly evil the universe may appear; however, it is a work of God and must be accepted. «Then do not say that man is imperfect, Heaven is at fault; / Say rather that man is as perfect as he should be" (An Essay on Man, p. 2265.69-70). It seems imperfect to us only because our perceptions are limited by our moral and intellectual capacity. His conclusion is "And, despite pride, despite the error of reason, / One truth is clear: whatever it is, it is RIGHT" (An Essay on Man, p. 2270.291 - 292) that we must learn to accept the our positions in the universe, in which we can lead happy and virtuous lives.