Analysis Paper 2: “Big Enough to be Inconsistent”
Big Enough to be Inconsistent, written by George M. Fredrickson, was a very insightful reading about Lincoln’s personal character. Overall, the author argued that Lincoln has many versions of himself which depends on the person judging him. Fredrickson also says that we must analyze Lincolns decisions in the light that they were made. In his objective writing, Fredrickson shocked me on this highly sensitive social topic. Although slavery and racial tensions has been a huge topic of conversation in the past, and now, this is an important article as it brings our former leader under questions, showing people that you cannot take political leaders’ decisions at face value.
Author Claims
Lincoln is known as “The Great Emancipator” and is regarded as the “Father of Equality”, but it was not until his personal writings were discovered that people began …show more content…
1). A quote from Bennett, author of Forced into Glory: Abraham Lincoln’s White Dream, clearly shows the social perspective of the topic: “[Lincoln’s] actions fostered the illusion that racial justice and equality had been achieved or were readily achievable” (pg. 22). The whole writing surrounds Lincoln’s moral character which was highly influenced by the social dynamics of the Civil War era. These dynamics influenced his statements and decisions in office. Other historians, mentioned by Guezlo and Striner, felt that “[Lincoln’s] public recognition of black rights and interests was induced by irresistible pressures from within his own party” (pg. 28). Again, at the mention of people’s rights, one can determine that Frederickson is analyzing the situation through a social
Big Enough to be Inconsistent, written by George M. Fredrickson, was a very insightful reading about Lincoln’s personal character. Overall, the author argued that Lincoln has many versions of himself which depends on the person judging him. Fredrickson also says that we must analyze Lincolns decisions in the light that they were made. In his objective writing, Fredrickson shocked me on this highly sensitive social topic. Although slavery and racial tensions has been a huge topic of conversation in the past, and now, this is an important article as it brings our former leader under questions, showing people that you cannot take political leaders’ decisions at face value.
Author Claims
Lincoln is known as “The Great Emancipator” and is regarded as the “Father of Equality”, but it was not until his personal writings were discovered that people began …show more content…
1). A quote from Bennett, author of Forced into Glory: Abraham Lincoln’s White Dream, clearly shows the social perspective of the topic: “[Lincoln’s] actions fostered the illusion that racial justice and equality had been achieved or were readily achievable” (pg. 22). The whole writing surrounds Lincoln’s moral character which was highly influenced by the social dynamics of the Civil War era. These dynamics influenced his statements and decisions in office. Other historians, mentioned by Guezlo and Striner, felt that “[Lincoln’s] public recognition of black rights and interests was induced by irresistible pressures from within his own party” (pg. 28). Again, at the mention of people’s rights, one can determine that Frederickson is analyzing the situation through a social