Looking For Lincoln Analysis
Throughout the film, Looking For Lincoln, historian Henry Louis Gates. Jr has been attempting to be informative about Abraham Lincoln that the common person didn’t already know. What was interesting about his presentation was that he tried to convey a clear message to the viewers that became apparent throughout the first half of the documentary. In the first chapter of the film “Henry Louis Gates Begins His Journey to Find the Real Lincoln”, Gates made it very clear his intent for creating the documentary. In the chapter, he stated that he is “looking for Lincoln”, which meant that he wanted know the real person behind the Sixteenth President and share the knowledge with others through his visual presentation. Some of the revelations that Gates finds out about him will unveil his flaws, and betray the expectations of some who thought of him as the savior who ended the slave system. Despite his faults, people should still
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memorize him as one of the famous president in history due to his legacy. I for one, understood Gates’ intent because it makes Lincoln seem much more human, therefore easy for us to understand and relate. Many people are aware of the key events Abraham Lincoln’s presidency and his famous senate race with Stephen Douglas in the years preceding, but the majority are not informed in detail about his time as a lawyer.In the chapter “Hollywood Does Lincoln and Lincoln’s Young Career as a Lawyer”, Gates found out he would argue for both sides on the issue of slavery despite being a opponent of it. This would be reiterated in the next chapter “Was Lincoln a White Supremacist?”, where he continued to speak for both sides until the Illinois senate race of 1858 where he opposed the expansion of slavery, though he did not believe in full equality. It can be interpreted that the reason why Lincoln couldn’t fully choose a side in the issue was because he was aware of how sensitive it was. Since he was starting to become more of a politician he had to be increasingly careful of what he says or else it will generate an influx of opposition that could end his career. Lincoln was in a difficult position at that time, so it was understandable that he wanted to appeal to the widest range of voters and make sure that he doesn’t make any radical statements that would cost him any major elections such as the Illinois Senate election and the Presidential Election of 1860. In fact, these events would contribute to Lincoln’s growth as a character that would leave a lasting legacy in the centuries after. There are other controversies such as whether or not Lincoln loved anyone else other than Ann Rutledge, or if he really planned to deport freedmen to colonize parts of Africa.Even though one can debate the morality of those parts of his character, it doesn’t change the fact of what he had done for the nation.
He was able to keep the country from completely tearing itself apart while also being ahead of his time with his ideas of slavery. This is part of Gates’ message in that he wanted to show how Lincoln was able to overcome great odds despite not being perfect as everyone thought of him to be. It was even stated in the chapter “The Assassination of Lincoln and its Impact on his Legacy”, that Frederick Douglass recognized the growth of his character when he was previously critical of him. Henry Louis Gates. Jr wanted to show how Lincoln was a more of a complex figure than what everyone expected, while also highlighting his achievements. The documentary was able to convey this well as it was able to make me respect Lincoln more as a
person, I am very supportive of Gates’ message because the human Abraham Lincoln is much more interesting than the man discussed in the history books. It was shocking that that Lincoln once wanted to deport the slaves and that he argued for pro-slavery during his time as a lawyer, but it did not change my opinion of him one bit. My admiration for him only grew because I was aware that he did the right things such as signing the Emancipation Proclamation despite once having those controversial thoughts. Through finding the “real” Lincoln as presented by the historian and his scholars, he became much more relatable in that his life conflicts throughout his years mimics our conflicts in a way. Just as Lincoln had to deal with the slavery issue during his time, we may run into sensitive situations where taking a side is very difficult due to the far reaching consequences of it. I promote Gates’ purpose of spreading information about the real Lincoln because others can be more appreciative of the obstacles he had to face. Henry Louis Gates.Jr has done a phenomenal job in spreading the knowledge of Abraham Lincoln and what kind of person he is. The ability to see him in a different light helps us show how deep of a person he really was and why people should be more appreciative of his achievements in his difficult position. He had to deal with the increasingly rebellious South while also coming up with a solution to end the slavery dispute and still fulfill his duties as president. All that while also having a record of arguing for pro-slavery in the past and making some questionable statements about race in the chapter “Was Lincoln a White Supremacist?”. Overall, knowing the Lincoln as a person and not a president only furthers his reputation as a strong and reputable person.
memorize him as one of the famous president in history due to his legacy. I for one, understood Gates’ intent because it makes Lincoln seem much more human, therefore easy for us to understand and relate. Many people are aware of the key events Abraham Lincoln’s presidency and his famous senate race with Stephen Douglas in the years preceding, but the majority are not informed in detail about his time as a lawyer.In the chapter “Hollywood Does Lincoln and Lincoln’s Young Career as a Lawyer”, Gates found out he would argue for both sides on the issue of slavery despite being a opponent of it. This would be reiterated in the next chapter “Was Lincoln a White Supremacist?”, where he continued to speak for both sides until the Illinois senate race of 1858 where he opposed the expansion of slavery, though he did not believe in full equality. It can be interpreted that the reason why Lincoln couldn’t fully choose a side in the issue was because he was aware of how sensitive it was. Since he was starting to become more of a politician he had to be increasingly careful of what he says or else it will generate an influx of opposition that could end his career. Lincoln was in a difficult position at that time, so it was understandable that he wanted to appeal to the widest range of voters and make sure that he doesn’t make any radical statements that would cost him any major elections such as the Illinois Senate election and the Presidential Election of 1860. In fact, these events would contribute to Lincoln’s growth as a character that would leave a lasting legacy in the centuries after. There are other controversies such as whether or not Lincoln loved anyone else other than Ann Rutledge, or if he really planned to deport freedmen to colonize parts of Africa.Even though one can debate the morality of those parts of his character, it doesn’t change the fact of what he had done for the nation.
He was able to keep the country from completely tearing itself apart while also being ahead of his time with his ideas of slavery. This is part of Gates’ message in that he wanted to show how Lincoln was able to overcome great odds despite not being perfect as everyone thought of him to be. It was even stated in the chapter “The Assassination of Lincoln and its Impact on his Legacy”, that Frederick Douglass recognized the growth of his character when he was previously critical of him. Henry Louis Gates. Jr wanted to show how Lincoln was a more of a complex figure than what everyone expected, while also highlighting his achievements. The documentary was able to convey this well as it was able to make me respect Lincoln more as a
person, I am very supportive of Gates’ message because the human Abraham Lincoln is much more interesting than the man discussed in the history books. It was shocking that that Lincoln once wanted to deport the slaves and that he argued for pro-slavery during his time as a lawyer, but it did not change my opinion of him one bit. My admiration for him only grew because I was aware that he did the right things such as signing the Emancipation Proclamation despite once having those controversial thoughts. Through finding the “real” Lincoln as presented by the historian and his scholars, he became much more relatable in that his life conflicts throughout his years mimics our conflicts in a way. Just as Lincoln had to deal with the slavery issue during his time, we may run into sensitive situations where taking a side is very difficult due to the far reaching consequences of it. I promote Gates’ purpose of spreading information about the real Lincoln because others can be more appreciative of the obstacles he had to face. Henry Louis Gates.Jr has done a phenomenal job in spreading the knowledge of Abraham Lincoln and what kind of person he is. The ability to see him in a different light helps us show how deep of a person he really was and why people should be more appreciative of his achievements in his difficult position. He had to deal with the increasingly rebellious South while also coming up with a solution to end the slavery dispute and still fulfill his duties as president. All that while also having a record of arguing for pro-slavery in the past and making some questionable statements about race in the chapter “Was Lincoln a White Supremacist?”. Overall, knowing the Lincoln as a person and not a president only furthers his reputation as a strong and reputable person.