Question

The Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln Which first-person pronoun is one of the most-repeated words in Lincoln's speech? What is Lincoln's reasoning for its repeated use?

Answer 1

In Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, the first-person pronoun 'we' is used repeatedly to emphasize unity and shared responsibility among the nation. The speech's enduring qualities stem from its message of collective effort for the nation's principles and liberty.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most-repeated first-person pronoun in Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address is 'we.' The repeated use of 'we' emphasizes unity and collective responsibility. Lincoln sought to reassure the nation that the sacrifices made by the soldiers in the Civil War were for the profound purpose of ensuring that the nation conceived in liberty would endure, and that the principles of a government 'of the people, by the people, for the people' would not perish.

Lincoln's Gettysburg Address is brief but profound, as it contributes to the enduring legacy of the speech. His intentional use of 'we' fosters a sense of shared purpose and commitment among his audience. The repetition underscores the idea that the Union’s cause was a collective effort that required the dedication and sacrifice of all its citizens, not just the ones on the battlefield.