Review And Asses

1. Which phrases in Lincoln’s speeches do you find the most memorable?

That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.-that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion

2. a) Briefly describe the occasion for each of LIncoln’s speeches.

Well the first one was to make the battlefield of Gettysburg into a cemetery for the dead heroes. And the second one was when he became President the second time.

b) Beyond the stated reason, what was Lincoln’s underlying purpose in “The Gettysburg Address”?

To give the dead a proper honor, and to let the people know that they would be remember and had not died in vain but for the honor of their country and for a war they believed in.

c) What was his main purpose in the “Second Inaugural Address”?

To thank the people for his election and to talk about how he felt about the war, that it was caused by the slavery and that the South would do anything to separate the country and seceed, and that is why there was a war, and but that they had to keep faith in God and his reasons.

3. a) What vision of the nation does LIncoln describe at the close of both speeches?

A country with no civil war, just peace and equality for everyone.

b) In what way does an expression of this vision further his purpose?

When he speaks about his vision, he shares it with the audience and gives the audience the chance to piture it themselves.

4. a) How does Lee define secession?

“Nothing but revolution”

b) In you own words, explain Lee’s argument against secession.

According to Lee, the people who made the Constitution had put a lot of effort in to making it perfect so that it never had to be broken, and so that they could have a government established. Secession to him is not following that and that the Constitution can only be dissolved by revolution, and that it would cause anarchy.

5. a) What gift has Lee’s son given to him?

Everett’s “Life of Washington”

b) Explain the line of reasoning that links Lee’s acknowledgment of his son’s gift to an argument against secession.

He thanks his son for his gift, and then compares what the book says about Washington and his deeds to what was happening at the moment with the war, and how different it was and how disappointed he would be when his work which was to form a country was divided.

6. In what ways, if any, are Lincoln’s speeches different from modern presidential addresses?

They are very short and uses a lot of complicated and fancy words. They are also full of metaphors and phrases. The speeches now are in a way more informal because they are not as adorned.

1. Using a chart like the one shown here, analyze the diction of each writer.

Lincoln:

Purpose: To welcome his second period as President and to commemorate a cementery.

Audience: The whole country

Diction: formal

Lee:

Purpose: To return the letter to his son

Audience: His son

Diction: Not as formal

2.  In what ways does each writer’s diction reflect and suit his audience and purpose?

Because Lincoln is speaking to a lot of people he uses more formal diction to suit his audience, and he is speaking serious things. Lee is only talking to his son so he is informal and just wants to express himself.

3. a) What words does Lincoln use to describe the war?

great civil war, insurgent

b) What words does Lee use to describe the war?

Terrible, anarchy, aggression.

4. a) Based on the ideas and insights revealed in these selections, what personal qualities do you think Lee and Lincoln share?

none of them wanted the war, but knew that sooner or later it would come so they just had to stand up for their home, but with no evil toward the other side, because they had a lot of love for their country even if it was in a difficult condition.

b) In what ways do they differ?

Lee is willing to figth himself, Lincoln will not. Lee ackowledges that the north has made aggression but that it isn’t a reason for secession. Lincoln blames it on the South’s inability to see that slavery was wrong.

5. Which voice do you find more engaging, Lincoln’s or Lee’s?

Licoln. His speeches are very persuasive and he gives a very strong speech which involves his audience and really touches them. That is why he is considered such a great speaker.

6. Using background knowledge, explain why President Lincoln wrote such a short speech for his address at Gettysburg.

Becuase they weren’t sure if he was going to go or not, or if he was going to be able to stay a long time, so they just asked him to give a few words.

7. Why did Lincoln connect the honoring of the Gettysburg dead with the goal of continuing the war toward a Union victory?

He gave the dead people honor and that way reminded the people that they had died for a reason, which was the Union and that even though they had given their lives their spirits would live forever and it would inspire people to fight even more.

8. In the “Second Inaugural Address”, why did Lincoln suggest that both the war and an end to slavery were part of God’s plan?

Because he says that God had done things how he wanted, and that even though he had allowed slavery before he now wanted to remove it, and that if people were not wiling to do it peacefully the war would serve as a reason and punishment.

9. Why was Lee so opposed to secession?

Because he felt it was against the purpose of the Constitution and that by secession the government and the country would separate and that “there was no greater calamity for the country than a dissolution of the Union”.