Analysis of lincoln's Gettysburg Speech

1.

ANALYSIS OF LINCOLN'S
GETTYSBURG SPEECH
NOVEMBER 19, 1863

2.

Historical reference
Abraham Lincoln gave his famous speech on November 19, 1863,
during the dedication of the soldiers' cemetery in Gettysburg,
Pennsylvania. It is given particular significance by the fact that a few
months earlier one of the bloodiest battles of the civil war took place
here, which became a turning point. The parties suffered huge losses,
but the initiative passed into the hands of the northern states - the
Union, and the Confederate troops were forced to retreat.

3.

The speech delivered
by
Lincoln
on
November 19, 1863 at
the opening of the
Gettysburg Cemetery,
despite its brevity, still
remains a standard of
oratorical skill.
The complete text of the
Gettysburg speech, carved
on the pedestal of the
Lincoln Monument in
Washington DC.

4.

ANALYSIS
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this
continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the
proposition that all men are created equal.
When analyzing the speech of this paragraph, Lincoln emphasized
the word "nation". What is a nation for the people? This is human
value as the highest form of social unity. And this was precisely what
was a kind of anchor for the Americans of that time.

5.

The phrase "conceived in Liberty" is also important. Freedom is a
fundamental value that is well emphasized in Lincoln's statement.
Concepts such as freedom, equality, nation, brotherhood were very
powerful tools in the statements of many politicians of that time. In
Lincoln's speech, these words are key and supporting. As a result,
there is a hidden play on the values and beliefs of people who are
already emotionally vulnerable.
The phrase “our fathers” is addressed to OUR fathers, followed by
emphasizing OUR fundamental values. In addition "our" is a deictic
unit.

6.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation,
or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We
are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate
a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here
gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting
and proper that we should do this.

7.

"We are met on a great battle-field of that war." Pathos is clearly expressed
in this phrase. Moreover, the performance actually took place on a former
battlefield, which later became a memorial. The atmosphere of the place and a
certain effect of the presence of the dead literally oozed from all sides, creating
great emotional pressure on people. The subsequent words "we have come to
dedicate a portion of that field" also confirm this.
Framing is built around focusing on the sacrifice of soldiers killed in battle
“who here gave their lives that that nation might live” in order to perpetuate
their actions and focus on the consequences in order to avoid similar things in the
future.

8.

"It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this." Attention is paid
to the construction “should” in this phrase.
When analyzing the speech of this paragraph, Lincoln emphasized several
words at once. These include deictic units such as "we" and "here" and constant
emphasis on the word “that”.
The leading role is given to the pronoun of solidarity “we”, which is repeated
and characterized separately by the specification of the audience. Thus, the social
group to which the utterance belongs is presented as a single whole (in this case,
the nation) and general intentions are attributed to it.

9.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not
hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have
consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little
note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did
here. 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. It is rather for us to
be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored
dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full
measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have
died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and
that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from
the earth.

10.

From the very first phrase in this paragraph “but, in a larger sense, we can not
dedicate—we can not consecrate—we can not hallow—this ground,” there is
a contrast thanks to the conjunction “but.” The phrase carries pathos. The words
dedicate, consecrate, hallow refer to something sacred, something hidden, which
also evokes strong emotions.
"The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can
never forget what they did here." Here the emphasis is on THEIR positive
activities, which cannot be compared with OUR words. There is an increase in
the significance of the dead. There is also a contrast thanks to the conjunction
“but”. And according to persuasive language part before "but" is canceled.

11.

An interesting note is how Lincoln characterizes US, specifically in the
phrase “it is for us the living” and THEIR “they who fought here”.
The last words, in my opinion, play the main role. "It is rather for us to
be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from
these honored dead we took increased devotion to that cause for which
they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly
resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation,
under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government
of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the
earth." Lincoln talks about creating a better future, gives opportunity and
hope for the realization of this future, which will subsequently motivate
people to take action. The semantic field in the form of “freedom” is again
used, as well as the repetition of the word “people”.
Deictic units were also used there.

12.

Thus, it can be concluded that Lincoln's speech is largely
aimed at the kinesthetic archetype of people. The speech is
prevailed by anchoring, framing, the use of deictic units and
pathos, which subsequently causes a strong emotional
outburst from the audience.

13.

SOURCES
Theoretical material from the course "Linguistic dimension of
international relations" by Yusupova R.R.

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Thanks for your attention :3