Analysis of Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address (November 19, 1863)
About this speech
Historical Context
Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863, at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This speech came four months after the Union armies defeated Confederate forces at the Battle of Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863), a turning point in the American Civil War. The battle resulted in massive casualties with approximately 51,000 soldiers killed, wounded, or missing. Lincoln's speech followed a two-hour oration by Edward Everett, yet despite its brevity (just 272 words delivered in about two minutes), Lincoln's address would become one of the most influential speeches in American history. Rhetorical Analysis Brevity and Simplicity The most striking aspect of the Gettysburg Address is its brevity. Lincoln demonstrated remarkable economy of language, compressing profound ideas into concise expressions. Rather than employing flowery Victorian-era rhetoric common in his time, Lincoln chose accessible language that averaged just two syllables per word. Approximately 200 of the 272 words are monosyllabic. This approach made his message accessible to ordinary Americans while giving his words a biblical, almost psalm-like quality. Structure and Framing The speech follows a past-present-future structure:Past: "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation..."
Present: "Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure..."
Future: "...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."
This structure creates a narrative arc that connects the founding ideals of America to the present struggle and then to a hopeful vision of the future. Reframing the War Lincoln masterfully reframed the meaning of the Civil War. Rather than focusing solely on preserving the Union or ending slavery, he presented the conflict as a test of whether democratic government itself could survive. The war became a struggle to ensure that "government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." This universalization elevated the conflict from a domestic dispute to a struggle with global significance for democratic governance.
Use of Pronouns
Lincoln's strategic use of pronouns is notable:
He begins with "our fathers" (inclusive, shared heritage)
Transitions to "we" (collective responsibility)
Never uses "I" (de-emphasizing himself)
Uses "they" to honor the fallen soldiers
This pronoun progression emphasizes collective ownership of both the nation's founding principles and the responsibility to preserve them.
Thematic Analysis
Redefinition of National Identity Lincoln subtly redefined American national identity. By dating the nation's birth to 1776 (the Declaration of Independence) rather than 1787 (the Constitution), he emphasized that America was founded on the principle that "all men are created equal" rather than on the legal framework that initially protected slavery. This rhetorical move supported his argument that the nation was dedicated to equality from its inception.
New Birth of Freedom
The speech's central metaphor is rebirth. Lincoln suggests that through the sacrifice of the fallen soldiers, the nation might experience a "new birth of freedom." This imagery invokes both Christian themes of resurrection and the idea that the nation could be reborn as a more perfect embodiment of its founding ideals—one that fully embraced equality.
Unfinished Work
Lincoln emphasizes that the "unfinished work" of the fallen soldiers must be continued by the living. This theme acknowledges that the ideals of equality and liberty were not yet fully realized and required ongoing dedication and sacrifice. By framing the cause as "unfinished," Lincoln implies that the work of perfecting the Union is a continuing process, not a completed achievement.
Legacy and Impact
Initially, the Gettysburg Address received mixed reviews, with partisan newspapers evaluating it based on political affiliation. However, its reputation grew over time, and it is now recognized as one of the greatest speeches in American history. The address redefined the Civil War's purpose, articulated a new vision of American democracy centered on equality, and provided a moral framework for national reconciliation and progress. Lincoln's assertion that these dead "shall not have died in vain" ties the sacrifice of soldiers directly to the nation's capacity to achieve a "new birth of freedom." This connection between sacrifice and national renewal has influenced American political rhetoric ever since, becoming a template for how Americans understand their national purpose in times of crisis.
Abraham Lincoln (November 19, 1863) Source National Archives and Four months after the Battle of Gettysburg, Lincoln joined in a dedication of a national cemetery on a portion of the battlefield. The speech he delivered that day would become one of the most famous speeches given by a U.S. President.
In just 272 words, Lincoln redefined the purpose of the Civil War and American democracy with phrases like "government of the people, by the people, for the people." Delivered at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg.
Key Themes & Messages
"What Lincoln Was Really Saying at Gettysburg (In Plain English)" So, picture this: It’s November 1863, smack in the middle of the Civil War. The Union just won a brutal battle at Gettysburg, but thousands of soldiers are dead. Lincoln’s got two minutes to dedicate a cemetery, and he drops this speech that’s only 272 words long—shorter than a TikTok—but it becomes one of the most famous speeches in history. Here’s what he actually meant:1. "This Nation Was Built on an Idea (But We’re Messing It Up)" Lincoln starts by reminding everyone: "87 years ago, our dads/granddads made a country where ‘all men are created equal.’" That’s the Declaration of Independence—not the Constitution—because he’s calling out the hypocrisy of slavery. He’s saying, "Yo, we claim to love freedom, but we’re literally fighting over whether some people get to be slaves. That’s not what this country was supposed to be."
2. "The Dead Are Schooling Us Right Now" The battlefield was still fresh—bodies barely buried. Lincoln doesn’t waste time describing the gore. Instead, he says, "These men already gave the ultimate speech—with their lives." Their sacrifice is the argument. He’s shaming the living: "They died to save this experiment in democracy. What are you doing?"
3. "This Isn’t About a Speech—It’s About What Comes Next" The killer line: "The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here." Lincoln’s being humble, but he’s also throwing shade: "Stop talking. Start doing." He’s not there to praise the dead; he’s there to recruit the living to finish the fight.
4. "Democracy Isn’t a Sure Thing—You Gotta Fight for It" Lincoln ends with the mic drop: "Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish." Translation: "This isn’t self-driving. If we let democracy fail, it’s our fault." He’s warning that America isn’t magic—it’s a choice. And in 1863, it was this close to collapsing.
Why This Still Hits Today Lincoln wasn’t just talking to 1863. He framed the Civil War as a test: Can a country built on equality actually work? Every generation since has had to answer that. Voting rights, civil rights, January 6th—it’s all the same question.
Bottom Line: The Gettysburg Address isn’t a history lesson. It’s a challenge. Lincoln’s saying freedom isn’t a trophy you win and put on a shelf. It’s a job application. And we’re all still getting interviewed.
Transcript
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.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.
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.