English 11 / Unit 3: Voices of Freedom
3.4 Abraham Lincoln's Speeches
Notes
Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) led the nation through the Civil War and is known for brief, powerful speeches.
- The Gettysburg Address (Nov. 19, 1863), about 270 words, opens "Four score and seven years ago" (87 years, pointing back to 1776). It honors fallen soldiers and calls on the living to ensure "government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish."
- Lincoln redefines the war as a struggle for the principle that "all men are created equal."
- Second Inaugural Address (March 4, 1865): a call for reconciliation: "With malice toward none, with charity for all."
- Devices: parallelism ("of the people, by the people, for the people"), biblical rhythm, and short, balanced sentences.
- Worked example: "Four score and seven years ago" avoids plain "87" and links to the Declaration, giving the speech a solemn tone.
Practice
"Four score and seven years ago" refers to about:
A score is twenty: 4 x 20 + 7 = 87.
The phrase "of the people, by the people, for the people" is an example of:
The repeated structure creates rhythm and emphasis.
In his Second Inaugural Address, Lincoln's phrase "with malice toward none, with charity for all" mainly expresses:
The speech looks toward reunion and compassion.
Ready for more? Take the Unit 3 test.