Lincoln uses a large amount of figurative language, employing imagery, metaphors, and personification, to reinforce his points. When Lincoln says, “... and the war came” (line 27), he personifies the war by saying it is approaching the Union and the Confederacy. In line 46, Lincoln uses a metaphor when he says, “It may seem strange that any men should dare ask a just God’s assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men’s faces,” comparing earning a living to getting paid to kill other men. He uses this figurative language to point out how ridiculous it is to ask God’s help in such a violent task. Lincoln also uses strong imagery with descriptive words such as, “sweat” and “wringing.” Lincoln used a combination of imagery and
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“The progress of our arms, upon which all else chiefly depends” (line 11), makes the American people believe they have a moral right to bear arms and fight for what they believe in. Nostalgia ensues on line 16 when Lincoln refers to four years ago when the Civil War was a only a tension yet to be put into the action of war. Lincoln references the cause of the war, the use by the South of slaves for personal and regional economic gain, saying, “All knew that this interest was somehow the cause of the war” (line 31) and both sides had different views on the morality of slavery. “Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God” (line 42), which compares the two sides of the war, showing a similar belief system, and made sure that “let us judge not, that we are not judged” (line 47). “Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away” (line 61) is said to connect with every audience member. His ends his last paragraph with a call to action, saying, “With malice toward none, with charity for all…to care for him who shall have borne the battle” (line …show more content…
He frequently uses one technique in particular, juxtaposition, to do so. For example, he stated, ”Both parties deprecated war, but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive, and the other would accept war rather than let it perish, and the war came” (lines 24-27). One side is intent on starting war to get their way, no matter the impact on the nation, while the other side only accepts war in order to save it. This contrast between the North and South showed the audience just how dramatic the violent division in the United States had become. Lincoln also used many other syntactical elements to reunite the country. He used parallelism when he said, “Neither party expected for the war the magnitude or the duration which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with, or even before, the conflict itself should cease” (line 37). By repeating the structure and theme of his sentences when talking about the North and South, Lincoln highlights the inherent similarities between the two. He identifies surprising similarities between two sides that are commonly characterized as polar opposites, showing that there is more potential for peace than one may expect. Throughout his speech, Lincoln uses balanced and comparative syntax to make a plea to the nation, a plea for peace in
“The progress of our arms, upon which all else chiefly depends” (line 11), makes the American people believe they have a moral right to bear arms and fight for what they believe in. Nostalgia ensues on line 16 when Lincoln refers to four years ago when the Civil War was a only a tension yet to be put into the action of war. Lincoln references the cause of the war, the use by the South of slaves for personal and regional economic gain, saying, “All knew that this interest was somehow the cause of the war” (line 31) and both sides had different views on the morality of slavery. “Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God” (line 42), which compares the two sides of the war, showing a similar belief system, and made sure that “let us judge not, that we are not judged” (line 47). “Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away” (line 61) is said to connect with every audience member. His ends his last paragraph with a call to action, saying, “With malice toward none, with charity for all…to care for him who shall have borne the battle” (line …show more content…
He frequently uses one technique in particular, juxtaposition, to do so. For example, he stated, ”Both parties deprecated war, but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive, and the other would accept war rather than let it perish, and the war came” (lines 24-27). One side is intent on starting war to get their way, no matter the impact on the nation, while the other side only accepts war in order to save it. This contrast between the North and South showed the audience just how dramatic the violent division in the United States had become. Lincoln also used many other syntactical elements to reunite the country. He used parallelism when he said, “Neither party expected for the war the magnitude or the duration which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with, or even before, the conflict itself should cease” (line 37). By repeating the structure and theme of his sentences when talking about the North and South, Lincoln highlights the inherent similarities between the two. He identifies surprising similarities between two sides that are commonly characterized as polar opposites, showing that there is more potential for peace than one may expect. Throughout his speech, Lincoln uses balanced and comparative syntax to make a plea to the nation, a plea for peace in