The Gettysburg Address - Abraham Lincoln ll English Club 10 - Memorized Speech

Summary

This transcript is a powerful excerpt from Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, delivered during the American Civil War. It reflects on the founding principles of the nation, dedicates the battlefield as a final resting place for fallen soldiers, and calls on the living to continue the unfinished work of those who gave their lives. Lincoln emphasizes the importance of liberty, equality, and democracy, reaffirming that the government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall endure.

Takeaways

• 😀 The nation was conceived in liberty and dedicated to the principle that all men are created equal.
• 😀 The country is in the midst of a great civil war, testing whether such a nation can endure.
• 😀 The speech takes place on a battlefield where sacrifices were made for the nation to survive.
• 😀 The dedication of the battlefield is not just for the fallen soldiers, but for the ongoing work of the nation.
• 😀 The soldiers who fought and died consecrated the ground through their sacrifices.
• 😀 The speech emphasizes that words cannot truly honor the sacrifices made by the soldiers.
• 😀 The living are called to continue the unfinished work that the fallen soldiers advanced.
• 😀 The speech urges the living to dedicate themselves to the cause for which the soldiers gave their lives.
• 😀 The ultimate goal is for the nation to experience a rebirth of freedom and resolve that the sacrifices were not in vain.
• 😀 The speech concludes with a call for a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, which will not perish from the earth.

Q & A

What is the significance of the phrase 'Four score and seven years ago' in this speech?

'Four score and seven years ago' refers to a period of 87 years, with 'score' meaning 20 years. This phrase places the speech in the context of the American Revolution, which occurred 87 years prior to the Gettysburg Address, emphasizing the historical foundation of the nation and its commitment to liberty.

What is the central theme of Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address?

The central theme of the Gettysburg Address is the dedication of the battlefield at Gettysburg as a memorial for those who died during the Civil War, while reaffirming the principles of equality, freedom, and national unity.

How does Lincoln define the purpose of the Civil War in the address?

Lincoln presents the Civil War as a test of whether a nation 'conceived in liberty' and 'dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal' can survive. It is a struggle to determine whether the United States can endure as a nation based on these principles.

Why does Lincoln say that the ground at Gettysburg cannot be consecrated by human effort?

Lincoln argues that the battlefield is already consecrated by the actions of the soldiers who fought and died there, and no words or ceremonies can add to the sanctity of the ground. It is the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers that has consecrated the land far beyond any human attempt.

What does Lincoln mean when he says, 'The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here'?

Lincoln acknowledges that while his words may not be remembered for long, the actions of the soldiers who fought at Gettysburg will endure in history. This highlights the enduring impact of sacrifice and service over rhetoric.

What is Lincoln's call to action for the living in this speech?

Lincoln urges the living to dedicate themselves to the unfinished work of those who died, to continue their efforts in ensuring that the cause of freedom and equality remains alive and that the nation lives up to the ideals for which the soldiers fought.

How does Lincoln express the idea of national renewal in the address?

Lincoln speaks of a 'new birth of freedom,' implying that the sacrifices of the fallen soldiers should inspire a renewal of the nation's commitment to liberty and equality. He envisions a rebirth of the nation's dedication to these ideals.

What role does the concept of democracy play in Lincoln's address?

Democracy is central to Lincoln's message, particularly in the phrase 'government of the people, by the people, for the people.' Lincoln emphasizes that the government must remain rooted in the will and welfare of the people, and it must not perish from the earth.

How does Lincoln frame the deaths of soldiers in the context of the larger national struggle?

Lincoln frames the deaths of the soldiers as a noble sacrifice for the survival of the nation and its core principles. He suggests that their devotion to the cause will inspire the living to ensure that their sacrifice was not in vain.

What is the rhetorical effect of Lincoln's use of repetition, such as in the phrases 'we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow'?

The repetition emphasizes the limitations of human power in the face of the soldiers' sacrifice. It serves to elevate the actions of the soldiers, making their contributions to the nation seem greater than anything the living can do through words or ceremonies.