Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address Essay

â€Å"So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.†-Baha’u’llah. In his Second Inaugural Address, Abraham Lincoln sincerely suggests that all humans are more similar than assumed in order to reveal the causes of the Civil War and to italicize the fact that the nation should unite as one. The similarities of the North and South caused the war. Although both parties â€Å"deprecated† and â€Å"dreaded† war, one side â€Å"accepted† war while the other â€Å"made† war. Lincoln’s use of parallelism emphasizes the similarities between both parties, which ultimately are proven to be the main cause of the war. Along with parallelism, anaphora also plays a large role within Lincoln’s comparisons of the two parties. He often repeats words such as â€Å"both† and â€Å"neither,† which again, emphasizes the fact that both parties do, indeed, have similarities. Because both sides are so similar, they fail to acknowledge the fact that war is not needed; the bitter feelings toward war in which they both possess are the very feelings that keep them at war. The parties’ comparisons create friction, which in turn â€Å"rends† them â€Å"by war.† Lincoln appeals to authority by repeatedly referring to God. Lincoln suggests that the two sides are very similar because they both believe in the same higher power. Since both parties believe in the same higher power, it would be easier to come to an understanding, and hopefully, end the war. Lincoln’s use of antithesis compares and contrasts the two parties’ bitter feelings about war, and war itself. Their bitter feelings toward war created a war. Because the North and the South were so similar, it created friction, which was the main cause of the Civil War. Regardless of similarities or differences, the nation should unite as one. The only way to â€Å"heal the nation’s wounds† would be to come together as one nation. Lincoln appeals to beliefs of unity. Lincoln’s continuous reference to God and His relationship to everyone creates a feeling of oneness throughout the nation. Lincoln posits that everyone is the same in God’s eyes, and therefore He treats them the same way, regardless of what side of the nation they reside. Again, Lincoln uses anaphora to emphasize the idea  of oneness. He uses words such as â€Å"both,† â€Å"neither,† â€Å"we,† and â€Å"all† for these purposes. Lincoln only uses singular words, such as â€Å"I,† once to avoid further separation of the nation. In order for the â€Å"scourge of war† to cease, the nation should transition from being two separate halves, to one whole. Lincoln’s appeals to beliefs of fairness suggest that neithe r side was in total control. The nation should be equal. He also uses positive diction to give the audience a sense of hope. Regardless of how similar or different the nation is, it should still be united. The Civil War is a prime example of how one side’s misunderstanding of another can create friction. â€Å"United we stand; divided we fall.†- Aesop. Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address Essay The United States Civil War was initially clashed to bring the rebellious South back in to the Union according to Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address. In his speech Lincoln says, â€Å"..to saving the Union without war,† he means here that at his first inaugural address, everyone was trying to desperately avoid a civil war, but still would do anything to help their cause. Lincoln then goes on to say, â€Å"..accept war rather than let it perish.† Here is talking about how the North changed in the sense that they would do anything to help their cause, even if it means war. Lincoln’s reason for why the war was originally started was the fact that the North knew war was the only option to preserve the Union See more: Satirical essay about drugs Although President Abraham Lincoln originally said the cause of the war was to defend the Union, he then states that the new purpose of the war was to free the slaves. He says, â€Å"These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest. All knew that this interest was, somehow, the cause of the war.† Lincoln specifically states here that slaves have all always been one of the greatest controversies of his time, and they ended up being the true purpose of the Civil War. Freeing slaves had always been an issue in America, only now, bloodshed was being cast in order to defend or uphold it. Lincoln’s post war plans for the Union are evident in this line, â€Å"let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him†¦to achieve†¦everlasting peace.† Abraham Lincoln brilliantly writes here that even if he beats up or wounds the South, he wants them back, as a part of the country. Also, not only does he want the South back, but he wants them to come back right away. Lincoln’s main goal was keeping the Union together, and he made sure his post-war plans continued this idea. Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address Essay In Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address, he uses many different kinds of rhetorical strategies to unite a broken nation. During the time of the speech, it is four years into the Civil War and it is about to end. In this speech, Lincoln uses allusion, parallel structure, and diction to unify the North and the South. A rhetorical strategy that is seen throughout Lincoln’s speech is allusion. He uses God and the Bible to show that the people both from the North and also the South have the same values. Lincoln says, â€Å"Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding. Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God’s assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men’s faces, but let us judge not, that we be not judged.† What Lincoln said was from the Bible, and most people could relate because many of the citizens were very religious. Lincoln also states, â€Å"†¦ Let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds†¦Ã¢â‚¬  That was also an allusion to the Bible, impacting the people to help fix the nation and to help come together as a nation. Religion was very important t o many citizens of that time, so the religious allusion used in the speech was very effective. Another strategy used in Lincoln’s address was parallel structure. The parallel structure emphasized what his goals were for the nation. For example, he says, â€Å"to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.† Abraham Lincoln’s goal was to establish peace again within the two sides and to rebuild the nation. Another example of allusion was at the beginning of the speech when Lincoln said, â€Å"All dreaded it, all sought to avert it.† He said, â€Å"all† to bring together both sides, saying that neither one wanted to fight, but now they have to come together to fix the â€Å"broken nation.† Lastly, Abraham Lincoln uses diction to create a feeling of unity between  the people. In his speech, Abraham says, â€Å"Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God.† Lincoln uses the word â€Å"both† often in his speech, which unifies the North and the South. It also says in his speech, â€Å"†¦let us strive on to finish the work we are in†¦Ã¢â‚¬  That statement reminds everyone that they’re all in it together by saying â€Å"us.† Diction throughout Abraham Lincoln’s speech adds onto the unity that was created by parallel structure and allusion. In Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address, he uses religious allusion, encouraging parallel structure, and repetitive diction to unify the North and the South. Lincoln’s goal when giving this speech was not to celebrate the North’s win, but to unify and to create peace between the broken nation.