Realism in Abraham Lincoln's "Second Inaugural Address"

Realism was a literary movement that began during the time of the Civil War. Abraham Lincoln, one of the most prominent leaders during that time adopted some traits of Realism literature in his speech for his second inauguration. In his speech, Lincoln follows the style of Realism with a very simple means of conveying his message. He very plainly presents the facts and makes a rational conclusion of what the county needs to do. Being a presidential inaugural speech, there is obviously content concerning society and the psychology of people, as it is targeted towards all of the people in the country. This is another characteristic that make this speech of President Lincoln an example of literature from the Realism movement.

Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address, he focuses on the wrongs that have been done to many members of the country through means of slavery (Lincoln 339). He states that God gives us the opportunity to make amend for the wounds that have been inflicted on the country, both domestically and among the likes of other nations of the world. This being the subject of this address lends to the fact that Lincoln used Realism literature because social issues were quite often the main idea that Realism literature revolved around (Quinn).

The way in which this work is presented also displays characteristics of Realism. A simple writing style with an almost monotonous flow were very popular to the genre of Realism as quite often a work of Realism is trying to present facts of actual events (Barney). This is exactly the way that Lincoln’s second inaugural address is written. Most all of his sentences are simple and deliver their own message or add to the main idea of the passage (Lincoln 339). Even though there is a lack of artistic style to this genre and this speech in particular, there is no lack whatsoever of emotion. The message that the author presents in this kind of work is enough to keep the audience interested in what is being said.

Being the President during the Civil War lends to the obvious fact that this is a work of Realism. The movement for Realism literature began primarily during the Civil War era (Quinn). President Lincoln’s second inaugural address was given in 1865, making it right in the beginning stages of Realism literature and Lincoln of the first writers and public speakers of this genre (Lincoln 339). Although this seems like a very simple and obvious reason for this work to be Realism, it has even more importance because it exposed many people of the nation to a newly established form of literature being used by persons in power.

With the literary movement of Realism beginning during the time of the Civil War, it is no surprise that Abraham Lincoln used this style a lot as can be seen in the “Second Inaugural Address.” The matters addressed by Lincoln and the way in which the speech was written, as well as the way it was likely presented are examples that make this a work of Realism. With the “Second Inaugural Speech” of President Lincoln, Realism made a very public appearance.


Works Cited

Barney, Brett, and Lisa Paddock, eds. "realism." Encyclopedia of American Literature: The Age of Romanticism and Realism, 1816–1895, vol. 2, Revised Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2008. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. Online. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= EAmL0738&SingleRecord=True. February 8, 2011.

Lincoln, Abraham. from "Second Inaugural Address." Glencoe American Literature. comp. Wilhelm, Jeffery. McGraw Hill. Columbus, OH. 2009. pg 339.

Quinn, Edward. "realism and naturalism in American literature." A Dictionary of Literary and Thematic Terms, Second Edition. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. Online. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&SID=5&iPin= Gfflithem0707&SingleRecord=True. February 8, 2011.