Pathos in The Gettysburg Address

The Gettysburg Address: A Deep Dive into Pathos

The Gettysburg Address is kinda one of those speeches everyone in America knows about, right? President Lincoln delivered it during the Civil War, and it's got this way of sticking with people. You might ask, "Why's that?" Well, it's not just the speech's short and sweet style; it's also packed with emotional appeal—what fancy folks call pathos. This essay takes a closer look at how Lincoln used pathos in his address and what kind of impact that had on the folks who heard it.

Pathos in Action

So let's dig into how Lincoln worked his magic with words. Right from the start, he hits you with some vivid imagery. He talks about "four score and seven years ago," which is like saying "87 years back." He's reminding everyone about the core values—liberty and equality—that their dads or granddads fought for. It's like he's saying, "Hey, remember why we started this whole thing?" And by mentioning "our fathers," he makes everyone feel connected to those early days.

Lincoln doesn't stop there. When he mentions the soldiers from the Battle of Gettysburg, calling them "brave men, living and dead," he creates this gut-punch moment. He adds that people might not remember the speech itself but will never forget what these guys did. It’s like an emotional rollercoaster—you're filled with grief, then gratitude, and finally determination to keep their legacy alive.

A Call for Unity

What else did Lincoln do? Oh yeah, he made everyone feel like they were in it together. He used words like "us" and "we" to build this sense of unity. It was like he was pulling everyone into one big group hug to get them all focused on finishing what had been started—the fight for freedom.

And let's not forget how he hammered home the democratic ideals with that phrase, "government of the people, by the people, for the people." He repeated it a few times to really nail down that point. This wasn't just patriotism; it was a reminder that a good government looks out for its citizens.

Wrapping It Up

In closing, The Gettysburg Address is a standout example of using emotions to persuade. Through powerful imagery and language that tugs at your heartstrings, Lincoln gets you on board with fighting for what's right. The speech is timeless because it reminds us of those who gave everything for their country—a message that's still relevant today. Looking at how Lincoln used pathos helps us understand how emotional appeals can make communication more powerful—even if we're just writing a simple note or giving a speech.

References

1. Burns, K., & Novick, L. (2017). *The Civil War*. PBS.
2. Holzer, H. (2004). *Lincoln at Cooper Union: The Speech That Made Abraham Lincoln President*. Simon & Schuster.
3. Wills, G. (1992). *Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words That Remade America*. Simon & Schuster.
4. McPherson, J.M. (1988). *Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era*. Oxford University Press.
5. White, R.C., Jr. (2009). *A. Lincoln: A Biography*. Random House.