Rhetorical Analysis Of Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address
The Civil War rid the United States of peace and solidarity. Abraham Lincoln, in his Second Inaugural Address, expands on the country’s war motives and fight to restore the values that it stands for. With his usage of syntax, diction, and religious allusion, Lincoln seeks to mend the divided nation. President Lincoln’s careful use of inclusive words and phrases strengthen the feeling of unity throughout his address. The word choice highlights his attempts to remain impartial concerning his views on the war. Instead of using labels such as “the North” and “the South”, Lincoln connects his audience with words like “all”, “both”, and “our.” He steers away from creating more division and instead presents the work needed to repair the nation as a duty for everyone, no matter their differences in opinion or belief. Lincoln uses …show more content…
In the beginning of his address, Lincoln leans toward factual rhetoric instead of the more emotional appeal which he presents later on by reminding the audience, “slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest, [all] knew that this interest was somehow the cause of the war.” He opens by reiterating the opposing standpoints of the nation early on, but advances by expressing need for unity. Throughout the speech, the causes of the war are rarely mentioned to highlight Lincoln desire for his people to focus on a solution rather than the cause of their problems. After asserting the cause, Lincoln utilizes diction, like previously mentioned, to instill solidarity among the nation, but closes his speech with special requests for his citizens. He asks the audience to “bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his wife and his orphans.” With syntax, the president manages to overshadow war motives with reasons for peace and ends his speech with a call for
Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address Rhetorical Devices
678 Words | 3 PagesHe knows how many Americans are wishing for a speedy reconciliation: “Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away.” Through the use of internal rhyme, this simple statement takes on the essence of a child’s prayer- a prayer of desperate desire for peace. Also, by using the word “we” Lincoln connects with his audience through the appeal of pathos. Here is the mighty President of the United States begging for peace alongside everyone else. The audience is now more willing to acknowledge his own pleas for attitudes of hope and dignity at the end of the Civil
Lincoln Second Inaugural Address Summary
325 Words | 2 PagesOne thing that really interested me about Lincoln “Second Inaugural Address” is that it was not a typical speech celebrating the end of the war. Instead of talking about themes such as victory or triumph, specifically over the institution of slavery, Lincoln tone is remarkable sad and melancholy. This is perhaps due to his desire to unite the country. He furthers this point by arguing that both sides “read the same bible, and prayed to the same God.” One consists theme of this speech is that both sides should essentially drop their malice and try to be compassionate towards one another.
Rhetorical Analysis Of Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address
680 Words | 3 PagesAfter reading the Emancipation Proclamation, the Gettysburg Address, and Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address, it seems that Lincoln’s original goal of saving the Union has changed. Now, in addition to saving the Union, Lincoln wants to free the slaves thereby making the Union a model for other countries. After reading the documents, there is a perceptible shift in his rhetoric from his First Inaugural Address to his Second Inaugural Address. He now mentions nations in his speech. Lincoln’s speeches clearly show his change in stance towards his original goal by including language that intermixes his multiple goals together.
Allusions In Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address
611 Words | 3 PagesFour years prior to his second Inaugural Address, President Lincoln had given a speech about war, “an impending civil war.” Now, after four years of such conflict, the President is issuing a speech of reconciliation, trying to convince his people to come back together with their Southern brethren, and try and heal the grievously wounded nation. A gifted rhetorician, the President used three primary literary tool s to make his point: parallel structure to illustrate similarities between Northerner and Southerner, allusions to the Bible to highlight the Christian values so important to both, and personification to paint the war as an evil enemy, and the nation as a wounded friend. In the second paragraph, Lincoln concludes with the parallel statements “one… would make war rather than let the nation survive… the other would accept war rather than let it parish, and the war came.”
Rhetorical Analysis Of Lincoln's First Inaugural Address
2265 Words | 10 PagesLincoln’s Rhetoric at his First Inauguration Lincoln’s “first inaugural address” was a final plea for unity before four more states would secede from the union and begin the most devastating war in our nations history. In this essay I will show the various rhetorical methods he used, and lay bare the arguments he brought forth over 8 score years ago. Before we get into his speech, however, it’s important to briefly discuss the context in which this speech was taking place. The year was 1861, and debate between the north and south over slavery was approaching its peak. Seven states had already seceded from the union, and six more were waving, and this speech was Lincolns final opportunity to avoid the civil war that had been building since
Gettysburg Address Rhetorical Essay
561 Words | 3 PagesBy repeating “all” Lincoln brings a sense of unity to his audience. They aren’t from two different sides, they are
Civil War Dbq
871 Words | 4 PagesLincoln expressed that if his plans were not working or benefiting his campaign to unify the states then he would “do less” Lincoln was willing to modify his strategy of reaching his main goal because the reunion of the southern and the northern states was an imperative aspect of building a strong country and remaining a global superpower. This paramount shift in goals and his display of potential revision were direct demonstrations of how Lincoln’s goals were not completely fixed from the start of the
Abraham Lincoln First Inaugural Speech Analysis
592 Words | 3 PagesThe language Lincoln used was not only perfect to the American people, but it was also dictated perfectly. Throughout this selection of speech, Lincoln reaffirms his love for his country and his lasting desire to preserve it and unite it. However, his compassion and love are what wins the American’s over. Lincoln uses that compassion for his country to derail the issue of going to a Civil War. Lincoln does not use a plan of action in this selection of speech, her rather uses his language skills and reminds the American people of the problems that American will face if we have a Civil War.
Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address Rhetorical Analysis Essay
492 Words | 2 PagesLincoln does quite a couple compare and contrast scenarios for the two parts of the divided nation, but always ends up putting the north on top. Another appeal is hidden in the big section where Lincoln addresses God’s will and what he desires. He states that the Union upheld God’s law while the south rebelled against it, thus, once again praising the
Rhetorical Devices In The Gettysburg Address
658 Words | 3 PagesDuring the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln faced the challenge of fusing two opposing sides into a unified America once again. Despite the bloody battles and fierce beliefs of both sides, President Abraham Lincoln solemnly carries out his purpose, to honor fallen soldiers in his speech, The Gettysburg Address, without staking blame or resentment towards either side. With an honorary and prideful tone created by repetition, allusion, and patriotic word choice, Lincoln persuades the people of America to adopt the goal of abolishing slavery under the guise of honoring soldiers. To first introduce his rhetoric, Lincoln opens with an allusion to the Declaration of Independence. Lincoln declares that this longstanding document created by the founding fathers instilled that “all men are created equal” (Qtd. in Lincoln).
Rhetorical Analysis Of Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address
799 Words | 4 PagesIt is seen clearly in his word choice that Lincoln calls for a lasting and fair peace, but not only between the North and South. He also calls the American people to apply this concept of peace with other countries and in foreign policy. Throughout his Second Inaugural Address, President Abraham Lincoln employs a variety of rhetorical strategies to promote unity between Americans. As Lincoln once said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”
Rhetorical Analysis Of Lincoln's Inaugural Address
464 Words | 2 PagesPresident Abraham Lincoln, in his inaugural address, addresses the topic of the civil war and its effects on the nation and argues that America could be unified once more. He supports his claim by using massive amounts of parallel structure and strong word choice. Lincoln ‘s purpose is to contemplate the effects of the civil war in order to unite the broken America once again. He adopts a very hopeful tone for his audience, the readers of the inaugural address and others interested in the topic of American history and the civil war.
Metaphors In The Gettysburg Address
808 Words | 4 PagesOn November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln gave a speech that, unbeknownst to him, would become one of the most recognized speeches in the history of the United States. The empowering speech was given in the midst of the gruesome civil war that began between the north and the south over the long-conflicted morality of slavery. Through one of the most highly remembered speeches of our history, The Gettysburg Address, Lincoln commemorates the dead and wounded soldiers at the site of the battle in Gettysburg through references to history, unificating diction and metaphors of life and death to unite the nation in a time of separation and provide a direction for the future of the country. Lincoln begins his essay utilizing historical references in order to illustrate to the public the basis of what the nation was founded upon. Through this, he reminds Americans the morals and ideals that the people are willing to spill blood for.
Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address Rhetorical Analysis
642 Words | 3 PagesLincoln urges the people to “strive on to finish the work we are in,” “to bind up the nation's wounds,” he is trying to get the United Sate Citizens to become one again to unite and be one strong country, showing that even after a huge war that the country can remain strong and unified and that this war will allow for a strong brotherhood in the US. Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address is significant because Lincoln offered and objective point of view. Lincoln did not speak of the unloyalty of the South nor did he praise the North. Rather, Lincoln used multiple points to show that the Unification should be the main focus of his speech not that the states should be divided because of
Rhetorical Analysis Of The Gettysburg Address
502 Words | 3 PagesAbraham Lincoln in the speech, The Gettysburg Address, constructs a point of achieving a "just and lasting peace" between the North and South without retribution. Lincoln supports his assertion by justifying his beliefs of unity between the states. Lincoln's purpose is to influence the people to not allow what has been done to go to waste. He wants his audience to realize that this division will only persist if no one settles the current issues in society. Lincoln speaks in a sympathizing, determined tone to address the Americans who are mourning the loss of their loved ones and to the rest of Americans who he wants to see a change from.
More about Rhetorical Analysis Of Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address
Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address Rhetorical Devices
678 Words | 3 PagesLincoln Second Inaugural Address Summary
325 Words | 2 PagesRhetorical Analysis Of Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address
680 Words | 3 PagesAllusions In Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address
611 Words | 3 PagesRhetorical Analysis Of Lincoln's First Inaugural Address
2265 Words | 10 PagesGettysburg Address Rhetorical Essay
561 Words | 3 PagesCivil War Dbq
871 Words | 4 PagesAbraham Lincoln First Inaugural Speech Analysis
592 Words | 3 PagesLincoln's Second Inaugural Address Rhetorical Analysis Essay
492 Words | 2 PagesRhetorical Devices In The Gettysburg Address
658 Words | 3 PagesRhetorical Analysis Of Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address
799 Words | 4 PagesRhetorical Analysis Of Lincoln's Inaugural Address
464 Words | 2 PagesMetaphors In The Gettysburg Address
808 Words | 4 PagesLincoln's Second Inaugural Address Rhetorical Analysis
642 Words | 3 PagesRhetorical Analysis Of The Gettysburg Address
502 Words | 3 Pages