Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

Anaphora refers to the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive sentences, phrases, or clauses for emphasis. Lincoln closes his speech by urging Americans, “[w]ith malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds” (Paragraph 4). Anaphora occurs in the repetition of the preposition and noun in each clause; “with malice,” “with charity,” and “with firmness” emphasizes the instructive nature of Lincoln’s speech and gives listeners a clear roadmap to national healing and unity. The repetitive structure not only links these ideas rhythmically but also amplifies the appeal’s persuasive force. The parallel structure mirrors the speech’s overarching theme of National Unity and Reconciliation by linking disparate virtues in a cohesive and harmonious sequence. Just as the structure of the sentence binds together charity, firmness, and lack of malice in a unified whole, so too does Lincoln envision a nation united in its diversity of experiences and beliefs.

Pathos is an appeal to the emotions of the listener or reader. Lincoln uses pathos to reach out to the hearts of his listeners and foster a sense of unity and compassion. He states, “The prayers of both could not be answered. That of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes” (Paragraph 3). Here, Lincoln acknowledges the deep pain and loss experienced by both the North and the South. By highlighting that prayers for victory from both sides went unanswered, he suggests the war’s outcome transcended human will. This recognition of shared suffering and the mystery of divine purpose serves to humanize both sides of the conflict. Instead of dwelling on blame or celebrating victory, Lincoln encourages empathy and understanding, a crucial first step toward National Unity and Reconciliation.