Abraham Lincoln's 'Gettysburg Address': The Rhetoric of American Civil Religion

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Language Arts, Public Speaking, Rhetoric
Cover of the book Abraham Lincoln's 'Gettysburg Address': The Rhetoric of American Civil Religion by Katharina E. Thomas, GRIN Verlag
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Katharina E. Thomas ISBN: 9783640930838
Publisher: GRIN Verlag Publication: June 3, 2011
Imprint: GRIN Verlag Language: English
Author: Katharina E. Thomas
ISBN: 9783640930838
Publisher: GRIN Verlag
Publication: June 3, 2011
Imprint: GRIN Verlag
Language: English

Seminar paper from the year 2009 in the subject Rhetoric / Elocution / Oratory, grade: 1,3, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, course: Allgemeine Rhetorik, language: English, abstract: Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address has played a powerful role in shaping American public discourse over the centuries. It has become one of the central documents in the evolution of American civil religion - imbued with religious and biblical language and imagery, backed by the ethos of its orator, its rhetoric sanctifies the founding documents and itself becomes part of the canon of 'holy writ' of American civil religion. This is all the more remarkable considering the fact that Lincoln was originally only supposed to deliver a few appropriate remarks at the dedication of the Gettysburg battlefield as a cemetery for the fallen soldiers. The main speaker, Edward Everett, had already given a long speech when Lincoln's turn came. The situation which thus presented itself to the orator posed a considerable challenge, as the audience was already weary. It is therefore all the more fascinating to see how Lincoln succeeded in his short, dense speech - which did not even give the photographer sufficient time to take his picture - in molding American identity by fusing 'organic union with transcendent purpose by utilizing the religious symbolism of the Christian tradition' (White 97). This paper will examine how the Gettysburg Address came to be one of the central documents of American civil religion, which had a significant influence on all future public discourse.First, it will provide a brief discussion of Abraham Lincoln as an orator. This aspect is important insofar as it is necessary to determine what role his personal ethos played in the Gettysburg Address. The main part will offer a close reading of the Gettysburg Address, focusing on an in-depth analysis of the rhetorical strategies and stylistic devices Lincoln employs. This part is concerned especially with the question of how these strategies contribute to the enduring significance of the Gettysburg Address as a central document of American civil religion.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Seminar paper from the year 2009 in the subject Rhetoric / Elocution / Oratory, grade: 1,3, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, course: Allgemeine Rhetorik, language: English, abstract: Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address has played a powerful role in shaping American public discourse over the centuries. It has become one of the central documents in the evolution of American civil religion - imbued with religious and biblical language and imagery, backed by the ethos of its orator, its rhetoric sanctifies the founding documents and itself becomes part of the canon of 'holy writ' of American civil religion. This is all the more remarkable considering the fact that Lincoln was originally only supposed to deliver a few appropriate remarks at the dedication of the Gettysburg battlefield as a cemetery for the fallen soldiers. The main speaker, Edward Everett, had already given a long speech when Lincoln's turn came. The situation which thus presented itself to the orator posed a considerable challenge, as the audience was already weary. It is therefore all the more fascinating to see how Lincoln succeeded in his short, dense speech - which did not even give the photographer sufficient time to take his picture - in molding American identity by fusing 'organic union with transcendent purpose by utilizing the religious symbolism of the Christian tradition' (White 97). This paper will examine how the Gettysburg Address came to be one of the central documents of American civil religion, which had a significant influence on all future public discourse.First, it will provide a brief discussion of Abraham Lincoln as an orator. This aspect is important insofar as it is necessary to determine what role his personal ethos played in the Gettysburg Address. The main part will offer a close reading of the Gettysburg Address, focusing on an in-depth analysis of the rhetorical strategies and stylistic devices Lincoln employs. This part is concerned especially with the question of how these strategies contribute to the enduring significance of the Gettysburg Address as a central document of American civil religion.

More books from GRIN Verlag

Cover of the book femina natus est? Die Funktion des Geschlechtswechsels in den Metamorphosen des Ovid by Katharina E. Thomas
Cover of the book Informationsmanagement als Basis für 'Persönliches Informationsmanagement' by Katharina E. Thomas
Cover of the book Verschiedene Typen von Familienpolitik und ihre Wirkung auf das Geburtenverhalten by Katharina E. Thomas
Cover of the book Stellenwert der Musik bei der Identitätsbildung von Jugendlichen by Katharina E. Thomas
Cover of the book Primärprävention zur Vermeidung von Jugendkriminalität by Katharina E. Thomas
Cover of the book Die Bildungspolitik unter Karl dem Großen und Alkuin von York by Katharina E. Thomas
Cover of the book Frühaufklärungssysteme by Katharina E. Thomas
Cover of the book Effektive Einführung zielsprachlicher Lexik im Spanischunterricht. Ist die Theorie in der Schulpraxis anwendbar? by Katharina E. Thomas
Cover of the book IFRS für kleine und mittlere Unternehmen by Katharina E. Thomas
Cover of the book Der Hintergrund volkswirtschaftlicher Steuerungsinstrumente: Schulkritische Theorie und historische Schulkritik by Katharina E. Thomas
Cover of the book Einkommensverteilung und Armut im Wohlfahrtsstaat Deutschland. Determinanten, Beschaffenheit, Ausprägung by Katharina E. Thomas
Cover of the book The first Opium War and its impacts on China by Katharina E. Thomas
Cover of the book Warum die Konstruktion einer gemeinsamen (sprachlichen) Wirklichkeit zwischen Berater und Klient den Erfolg einer Beratung bestimmt by Katharina E. Thomas
Cover of the book Die Währungsreform 1948 by Katharina E. Thomas
Cover of the book Internet als Chance für die Demokratie by Katharina E. Thomas
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy