Today there are countless authers who attempt to create great literary works, however none come close to Abraham Lincoln and his powerful “The Gettysburg Address”. His 272 word speech is arguably the most-quoted, most-memorized piece of oratory in American history. Lincoln managed to author the greatest work of literature in American Literature by crafting a terse speech with persuasive literary devices, along with a moving and an enduring message. Great literature does not just happen, nor is it great by default by the mere fact that it was authored by a famous individual. No, great literature is timeless and placeless. The themes and the messages conveyed by the story, poem, or speech are important, no matter what era or place the reader …show more content…
The democratic principles outlined in the 272 word speech weaved an inspirational message, that has been applauded by varying audiences across the world. In the 1940s “large numbers of foreign nations first began talking about the speech as setting an ideal for governments to strive toward" (Hudson). The current Constitution of France, that was written in 1958, even established the French Government as a "gouvernement du peuple, par le peuple et pour le peuple"("government of the people, by the people, and for the people"), a literal translation of Lincoln 's words (Andrews). The 16th President of the United States become one of the most beloved individuals in America and internationally, yet his work, more specifically “The Gettysburg Address” inspired one of the greatest man of the Civil Rights period: Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil rights advocates, including King, often cited Lincoln 's address to further their fight for social and political equality (Delbanco). The “I Have Dream” speech is credited to parallel “The Gettysburg Address” in it’s powerful call for an equal and united country. Both speeches had a deep impact on American History, but it was Lincoln 's short and profound address that continues to be the foundation for other works in American
At 7:30am, on Wednesday, July 1st, 1863, at the intersection of Knoxlyn Rd and US Rt. 30 Chambersburg Pike, a shot was fired by Lieutenant Marcellus Jones. This shot would not be forgotten, as it was the beginning of what would turn into one of the biggest turning points of the Civil War; The Battle of Gettysburg. This three day streak of combat would later be referred to as the “High Water Mark of the Rebellion.” With the outcome being an overall Union victory, the Battle of Gettysburg would mark the point at which the Union would place the Confederacy on the defensive and end General Robert E. Lee’s most ambitious attempt to seize Union territory. The Battle of Gettysburg was so critical, in fact, that it lead to one of the most vital documents written in United States history, the Gettysburg Address. How exactly did this battle guide President Abraham Lincoln to write the Gettysburg Address is a common question among many.
President Abraham Lincoln used many rhetorical devices to explain the effects of the civil war. Lincoln wanted the north and south to put their differences behind them and unite, to become a single unified country. Many people were surprised by Lincoln’s second inaugural speech, it was shorter than his first. He didn’t take very long to get his point a crossed about how the war would make him feel. Lincoln had hope that the country would turn around. That it would unify against all evils or troubles.
As we can only imagine, one can not erase the vivid images, of the Civil War from their memories, after seeing the fallen bodies and the fields of ash and smoke. The lasting images we view through photographs reminds us of the war that divided the nation, during tumultuous times. As the war came to an end, President Abraham Lincoln was elected for his second term in office. During, Lincoln's second inaugural speech he persuades his audience, to understand that the war was a catastrophe for all. The healing that is needed from this catastrophe will not begin, until the reformation of the once standing brotherhood, in order to, maintain peace and prosperity as a nation. To help persuade the audience, Lincoln's use of rhetorical strategies, evokes the audience to consolidate as one.
For centuries, it has always been an individual's responsibility to address the aftermath of major events. Thus, on November 19, 1863, in the aftermath of the Battle of Gettysburg, Edward Everett stood upon the bloody field in front of representatives from all over the United States, to give the speech that provides this sense of purpose; henceforth, "The Gettysburg Oration" entitled this speech. The Battle of Gettysburg was the largest battle fought in the Civil War. This decisive battle, horrid in its nature, was fought between the United States of America and the Confederate States of America. Both sides were not only fighting for their lives, but for their ideas, as well. There are a few people who would look back at this battle as a victory
The Gettysburg Address was not successful when it was first presented to those who attended the dedication for the fallen of the Battle of Gettysburg. Lincoln surprised all at the event with his speech by its shortness. The address is considered to be the definition on the ideas that the United States was founded upon. Before the Civil War began the United States were seen as only a collection of states. The Gettysburg address was an attempt to unite the nation. Lincoln passed on his belief that the nation must be united and that a “new birth of freedom” would be created, or the nation would “perish from the world” if the Union failed.
In 1863, Abraham Lincoln delivered an iconic speech paying respects to the soldiers who fought the Battle Of Gettysburg. His words oozed with emotions that resonated with people of a nation that have been burned out by the tragedy of war. He conducts a call- to-action for the American citizen to honor those who lost their lives, as they move forward and regain their strength and unity. He uses moves such as diction, allusion, contrast, as well as repetition to articulate his thoughts in a clear effective speech. His credibility can be found in his admiration and respect for these servicemen throughout the speech; Nevertheless the rest of the speech he successfully expresses a series of emotional appeals, ones that pertain to America’s responsibilities.
Whenever tragedy strikes, people often look for someone with the eloquence and the empathy to reassure them and help them seek some form of comfort. This was especially evident when President Barack Obama was to speak on behalf of the victims and loved ones of said victims on the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary massacre on December 14. Obama’s use of rhetoric in relations to sympathizing with those affected by the tragedy is used as he fervently relates to it on being himself a parent and expresses it as such through the speech. Some have related and compared this to Lincoln’s renown Gettysburg Address. Either way, Obama does achieve the purpose that was sought out by Lincoln regarding the attempt to mitigate the despair of the loss
Four and a half months after the Union defeated the Confederacy at the Battle of Gettysburg, Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863. He gave the Union soldiers a new perspective on the war and a reason to fight in the Civil War. Before the address, the Civil War was based on states’ rights. Lincoln’s speech has the essence of America and the ideals that were instilled in the Declaration of Independence by the Founders. The sixteenth president of the United States was capable of using his speech to turn a war on states’ rights to a war on slavery and upholding the principles that America was founded upon. By turning the Civil War into a war about slavery he effortlessly ensured that no foreign country would recognize the South as an independent nation, ensuring Union success in the war. In his speech, Lincoln used the rhetorical devices of juxtaposition, repetition, and parallelism, to touch the hearts of its listeners.
While the Gettysburg Address is fairly short in length at around 300 words, this famous speech delivered by President Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1963 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is both enduring and meaningful for all Americans today, almost exactly 146 years later. The first paragraph of his speech sets the tone, in which Lincoln does not directly mention the bloody Battle of Gettysburg, in which 50,000 soldiers lost their lives. Instead, he refers in the opening phrase, “Four score and seven years ago,” to the founding of America through another important written document, the Declaration of Independence in 1776. I believe Lincoln wanted the country to focus on preserving this country, and in his speech reminded all American citizens that this nation was “conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.” I believe Lincoln wanted all Americans, Union and Confederate, to focus on preserving the nation, and he did not want to upset everyone by dwelling on the bloody Battle of Gettysburg t...
The speech “Gettysburg address” was written November 19 1863, almost four years after the first shots of the civil war happened in fort sumter . This speech was so impactful and it was only two minutes long. This two minute speech was one of many impactful speeches in history. Abraham Lincoln wrote the speech “ Gettysburg address” . During the civil war a lot of the soldiers had died. Family members were grieving over the loss of loved ones, and friends. Abraham Lincoln made this speech for the people who lost family members or loved ones in the war. This speech honored those who have fallen on the battlefield and remind those why we had a civil war. Abraham Lincoln reminded the soldiers what they were fighting for in the first place , that they can move forward from the loss of soldiers in “ Gettysburg Address “ using repetition and diction .
On July 1st, 1863 Confederate General Robert E. Lee and Union General George C. Meade transformed Gettysburg, Pennsylvania into a battleground for the Civil War,the battle ended July 3rd, 1863. David Wills was charged by Pennsylvania 's Governor Andrew Curtin to clean up after the battle, part of the battlefield was converted into a gravel site for the soldiers. Later on November 2nd, 1863 President Abraham Lincoln received an invitation from Wills to speak at the dedication ceremony for the soldiers who lost their lives.
The Gettysburg Address is a prominent speech in the history of Abraham Lincoln’s writings and in the American history in whole. Abraham Lincoln is considered to be the first and most successful politician who could integrate the political issue in the biblical sense and scratch it tightly to the Declaration of Independence ideals. The Gettysburg Address expresses clearly this talent in
On November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln delivered ‘’The Gettysburg Address’’. Abraham Lincoln’s purpose in ‘’The Gettysburg Address’’ was to persuade listeners to finish what those who fought for died for by treating everyone else equally. ‘’The Gettysburg Address’’ is the most compelling speech due to its use of rhetorical
How can a speech gain complete resonance, or agreement from its audience in a short amount of time? Abraham Lincoln's most famous speech was a great example for gaining the audience's spirits. ''The Gettysburg Address'' was given on November 19, 1863, after the Union won the Battle of Gettysburg. In the speech, Lincoln emphasized the importance and necessity of the Civil War, which was, in his point of view, still worth fighting, despite the horrors of the war. Lincoln did not only argue for his point straightforwardly and list several reasons to support it, but also skillfully apply to audience's rising patriot emotion along with the speech. At the end os the speech, Lincoln successfully gave his audience the passion to keep on fighting the Civil War. By building up his audience's loyal and intensity feelings as well as the speech's climax at the same time, Lincoln's strong argument and expression let people realize and remember what was worth them to fight, the Union. By fully gaining people's minds and attention, Lincoln heartened his audience, touched their deep emotion, and won his audience's resonances with him and his idea that this war is still worth fighting.
Depending on the generation, who is analyzing the meaning of the address, will vary. Historians have been trying to analyze President Abraham Lincoln’s address; some say he was trying to remind the people on what basis the country was established, which was liberty and equality. Eric Foner mentions in the book “Give Me Liberty! An American History” that Lincoln with his speech “identified the nation’s mission with the principle that “all men are created equal,” spoke of the war as bringing about a “new birth of freedom,” an defined the essence of democratic government” (529). Some say this was the beginning of Democracy. Adam Goodheart states, “Invoking the images of rebirth, and stressing the ideals of the Declaration of Independence, he gave Americans a new understanding of the war’s – and the nation’s purpose” (4). Mike Wereschagin mentions, “Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address planted a marker in the country’s unfolding history. The speech recast was as a struggle for something larger than the country over which it was fought”(1). As there are many different opinions on Presidents Lincoln intent regarding this address, at the end they all seem to have some connection based on how it is