Rhetorical Analysis Of The Gettysburg Address

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In a country divided, President Abraham Lincoln would face one of the most challenging times in US history. He would task himself with preserving the union of his country and ensuring the blessings of liberty to all those whom he served. The success of these tasks would define President Lincoln to this day. In a valiant effort to persevere the nation, as the it was ripping itself apart, President Lincoln spoke to the people of the United States concerning a recent battle of the Civil War of the United States. This speech became known as the Gettysburg Address; it is one of President Lincoln’s most famous piece. It is famous because it highlights the motif of his Presidency, the importance of equality, liberty, and the preservation of the union. Although this speech was well written, it was powerful and moving, partly due to President …show more content…

One can imagine that these words are filled, by Lincoln, with sorrow and disappointment. His disappointment stems from a nation that refuses to accept that all men are equal and that many would allow the nation to be torn apart by this idea. Lincoln reveals his disappointment early when he orates that “all men are created equal.” He has demonstrated throughout history up to this point that he holds this belief of equality. His sorrow stems from the death of numerous Americans on both sides during this war and especially during the Battle of Gettysburg. His sadness is evident throughout the piece as he reminds his audience that they are there for the brave men who died there. Both emotions probably arise from his working class background. As a member of the working class, Lincoln probably spent a lot of time working beside men of all races. This would have taught him the value of all men and the value of life. This could have led to his seemingly radical thoughts of the time that the freedoms all Americans enjoy were not only for land owing white

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