Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address Figurative Language Analysis

Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States, is in a tough position. America has been engulfed in war for four years and he has been re-elected president. In his second inaugural address, Lincoln expresses a desire to finally end the civil war in order to reunite the country. To accomplish this, he uses several unique stylistic elements in his address such as effective use of repetition, a religious tone, and comprehensible figurative language. Lincoln uses repetition in his inaugural address to notify his countrymen that the Civil War will end soon. He stresses the importance of unity in order to heal the wounds inflicted by the war. “With malice toward none; with charity toward all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the
“…insurgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without war—seeking to dissolve the Union, and divide effects, by negotiation.” He explains that certain people negotiated a split from the Union. Lincoln also notes the slaves involvement with the war. “To strengthen, perpetuate, and extend this interest was the object for which the insurgents would rend the Union, even by war…” Lincoln affirms his stance that the Civil War was fought in order to free the slaves. Through these examples of figurative language, Lincoln’s stances are stated thoroughly in his inaugural address. Lincoln’s form of writing solidifies his notion that God punished both sides for the practice of slavery. His inclusion of several biblical references, especially from the New Testament, touch on the question of divine providence. Lincoln hopes that all Americans will understand his message. The techniques Lincoln used allow readers to discover the meaning of his biblical allusions. Just as Lincoln includes biblical passages to relate to the people, so too does he wish to lift the burden of war from his country