In Part 1 of of this series we started to look at some of the key words and concepts in the Gettysburg Address.  Let’s continue our exploration by looking for some deeper meanings.  Let’s begin again with the Wordle of Mr. Lincoln’s Famous speech:

If you look at the Wordle, the larger and bolder words are the ones that are repeated most often:

• Nation — 5 times
• Dedicated — 4 times + Dedicate 2 times
• People — 3 times
• Great — 3 times

Some words not shown on the Wordle:

• We — 10 times
• Here — 8 times

Let’s examine some of these key repeated words and concepts

• Great: stressing the importance of the moment and the events taking place in the country
• New: by using this word, Lincoln is saying that the nation could start over
• Here: history always has a place and in this case it is the battlefield of Gettysburg
• Nation: emphasizing the importance of having a unified nation
• People: President Lincoln used this word to say that THE PEOPLE is what this is all about
• We: again stressing that WE are ONE NATION and that we are all in this together
• Dedicated: the essential attitude
• Consecrated: this is sacred ground (especially since they are in a cemetery)
• Devotion: our commitment to freedom
• Dead: Lincoln reminds us of the grim aspects of the Civil War
• Living: indicating that what we do with our lives makes a difference
• But: by this simple word, Lincoln states that there can be a change in direction
• Cannot: not everything is possible

Next time we will explore some of the contrasts in Lincoln’s speech.

Until next time…

PS:  Again, thanks to Mr. Chuck Teague for allowing me to use some of his research.