Essay On The Gettysburg Address

Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address that hardly lasted 2 minutes with 272 words not only struck a powerful chord that resonated with his listeners, but would continue to resonate in the hearts of generations to come. Lincoln’s speech addressed to fellow Americans was intended for the purpose of honoring the fallen soldiers by dedicating a piece of land as their resting place and to continue with the fight. He powerfully begins his speech by initially referring to the freedom the country won from the British four score and another seven years back, which poetically refers to the past 87 years. In fact, the logical structuring of the speech by indicating that equality was the foundation of liberty, but currently the country is at war as a result of a challenge to the very equality promised through its independence makes the speech all the more memorable. Following this Lincoln duly recognizes the falling heroes and emphasizes the need to honor them by giving a final resting place.
The triple rhetoric he uses while saying that the country cannot dedicate, consecrate or hallow the land where they fell, but their action has already done the same touches the hearts of his audience now and then. Lincoln pays rich homage to the fallen soldiers who fought valiantly by saying that the ‘poor power’ is powerless before their bravery. Even though he says that the world would forget these heroes in due course, his words are powerful enough to melt hearts. Lincoln ironically commits a mistake when he says his words would be forgotten, indeed his words are unforgettable forever. Towards the end, he requests his countrymen to continue the fight for equality by taking inspiration from the dead soldiers. He logically concludes by leaving the responsibility of ensuring a free country and a government by the people, of the people and for the people to the audience. It is his famous call to the public to act and complete the unfinished work makes Lincoln’s speech a historic one.