Gettysburg Address - A Rhetorical Analysis

“Gettysburg Address” – A Rhetorical Analysis The “Gettysburg Address” is a speech that was delivered by President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on November 19, 1863. The speech has gone down in history as one of the most famous and influential speeches in American history, and it is often studied in schools and universities as a prime example of excellent rhetorical technique. One of the most notable aspects of the “Gettysburg Address” is its brevity, as it is only about two minutes long. Despite its short length, however, the speech is packed with rhetorical devices and techniques that Lincoln uses to great effect. One of the key rhetorical devices that Lincoln uses in the “Gettysburg Address” is the use of parallelism. This is the repetition of a grammatical structure in successive clauses or sentences in order to create emphasis and clarity. For example, Lincoln says, “We cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground.” The repetition of the word “cannot” helps to emphasize the point that the ground on which the soldiers fought and died is sacred and cannot be made any more so through any earthly ceremony or ritual. Repetition is an important rhetorical device that Lincoln employs in the “Gettysburg Address”. He repeats the phrase “now we are engaged in a great civil war” in order to emphasize the gravity and importance of the conflict in which the country was then engaged. He also repeats the phrase “it is for us the living” to emphasize the responsibility of those who were still alive to honor the sacrifice of those who had died. Lincoln also uses rhetorical appeals in the “Gettysburg Address.” One of these is the appeal to ethos, or the appeal to the speaker's credibility and authority. Lincoln establishes his ethos by reminding his audience that he is the President of the United States and that he has been called upon to dedicate the cemetery. He also refers to the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, two key documents in American history, in order to further establish his credibility. The “Gettysburg Address” also contains an appeal to logos, or the appeal to reason and logic. Lincoln uses logos when he explains the reasons for the Civil War and the importance of preserving the Union. He argues that the war was being fought in order to ensure that “government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” This appeal to the principles of democracy and self-governance is meant to persuade his audience of the righteousness of the cause. Finally, Lincoln makes an appeal to pathos, or the appeal to emotion, in the “Gettysburg Address.” He does this by invoking the sacrifices of the soldiers who had died at Gettysburg and by calling on his audience to honor their memory. He says, “It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.” This appeal to the emotions of his audience is meant to move them to action and to inspire them to continue the work of the fallen soldiers. One of the most famous lines in the “Gettysburg Address” is “government of the people, by the people, for the people.” This phrase has become so well-known that it is often referred to simply as “the Gettysburg slogan.” This line is an example of anaphora, a rhetorical device that involves the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences. The repetition of the word “people” helps to emphasize the democratic principles on which the country was founded and to inspire the audience to fight for those principles. The “Gettysburg Address” is also notable for its use of alliteration, the repetition of the same sound at the beginning of successive words. For example, Lincoln says, "It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.” The repetition of the “f” sound in “for,” “fought,” and “far” helps to create a sense of unity and continuity, as if the work of the living and the work of the dead are all part of the same effort. In addition to its rhetorical devices and appeals, the “Gettysburg Address” is significant for its political implications. At the time it was delivered, the Civil War was in full swing, and Lincoln was faced with the daunting task of uniting a divided nation and preserving the Union. The “Gettysburg Address” was an attempt to do just that, as it called on the people of the North and South to come together in the face of a common enemy and to remember the sacrifices that had been made for the cause of the union. The “Gettysburg Address” has had a lasting impact on American history and politics. It has been quoted and referenced by politicians and leaders throughout the years, and it continues to be studied and admired for its eloquence and rhetorical power. Its message of democracy, unity, and the importance of honoring those who have sacrificed for their country is one that resonates deeply with Americans and has helped to shape the nation's identity and values.