Backround
Purpose
The Gettysburg Address, delivered by President Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863, was a speech at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The purpose of the address was to commemorate the Union soldiers who had died in the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War. It was also a call to the living to ensure that the dead soldiers’ sacrifices were not in vain and to resolve that the nation would have a new birth of freedom, ensuring that the government of the people, by the people, for the people, would not perish from the earth (David, 2020).
Audience
The Gettysburg Address’s audience was the immediate crowd gathered at the dedication ceremony and the broader American public. The speech was intended to unite the war-torn nation and honor those who fought for freedom and equality.
Persona
Lincoln presents himself as a humble, thoughtful, and dedicated leader in his persona. He does not claim the spotlight but instead focuses on the soldiers’ valor and the great task remaining before the nation.
Analysis
Tone
The tone of the Gettysburg Address is solemn and respectful but also inspirational. Lincoln expresses sorrow for the loss of life, yet he imbues his words with hope and determination.
Structure
The structure of the speech is concise and not easily categorized into one specific type. It begins with a reference to the past, moves to the present circumstances, and looks forward to future tasks.
Evidence
Lincoln claims that the war is a test of whether a nation with the principles of the United States can endure. He supports this by alluding to the nation’s founding principles and the current struggle to uphold them.
Language
The language of the Gettysburg Address is notable for its use of metaphors, such as referring to the nation as being “conceived in Liberty” and “dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”
The speech is rich with parallelism, notably in the famous opening line, “Four score and seven years ago,” and in the closing line, “of the people, by the people, for the people.” Alliteration is present in phrases such as “we cannot dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground.” Antithesis is effectively used with phrases like, “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.” Repetition is a key feature in phrases such as “we can not.”
Special Features
One thing that jumps out is the brevity of the speech; it is remarkably succinct yet powerful. In its elegant simplicity and depth of meaning, the Gettysburg Address has become one of the most famous speeches in American history, demonstrating the profound impact that can be made with just a few carefully chosen words.
Reference
David, A. (2020). Examining the Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln. Enslow Publishing, LLC.