Question

Alexander Pope was born in 1688 to a London linen merchant. There was little in his early life to indicate that he would eventually become a master of poetry and satire. As a child, he suffered from tuberculosis of the spine, and the disease stunted his growth at 4 feet 6 inches. His painful physical problems did not allow him to attend formal classes, but he educated himself by reading literature and poetry. One of his favorite authors was the classical Greek poet Homer, author of The Iliad and The Odyssey. As an adult, Alexander Pope was celebrated for his clever poems and letters. Pope's Essay on Man was one of his most famous poems, and it is quoted often even today. He also ecame well-known for writing satire, a form of writing that attempts to ridicule other people's words or behavior. He wrote his satire The Dunciad to mock those who criticized his work. Pope had many friends who were writers and poets. One of his most famous friends was Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver's Travels. Pope's poor health continued throughout his life, and he passed away at the age of 56. He was buried in the Twickenham Church graveyard. Which sentence best states the main idea of this article?

A. Alexander Pope suffered from tuberculosis of the spine.
B. Alexander Pope was fond of reading Homer's works.
C. Alexander Pope was famous for his poetry and satire.
D. Alexander Pope's poem "Essay on Man" is often quoted.

Answer 1

The main idea of the article is that Alexander Pope was notably famous for his poetry and satire, and he authored celebrated works such as 'An Essay on Man' and 'The Dunciad,' despite physical challenges due to his health condition.

Step-by-step explanation:

The main idea of the article about Alexander Pope is that he was famous for his poetry and satire. Despite suffering from tuberculosis of the spine, which stunted his growth and prevented him from attending formal classes, Pope educated himself through extensive reading and went on to become a celebrated poet. He is known for his works such as 'An Essay on Man' and 'The Dunciad,' and his mastery of the heroic couplet is particularly noteworthy. His satirical work often mocked his critics, and he maintained collaborations with other writers, including the well-known Jonathan Swift. Pope's health issues persisted throughout his life, but they did not hinder his literary contributions, which have left a lasting impact on English literature.