Introduction
This essay explores how three distinct authors—James Weldon Johnson in his poem “To America,” Nurse Cornelia Hancock in her letter to her mother during the Civil War, and President Abraham Lincoln in his Gettysburg Address—articulate their perspectives on America through varied forms of expression. Each piece reflects a unique context and purpose: Johnson’s poem interrogates the nation’s treatment of African Americans, Hancock’s personal correspondence reveals the human toll of conflict, and Lincoln’s public oration seeks to unify a divided country. By examining these works, this essay aims to compare the ways in which the authors construct their arguments and claims about America, highlighting both similarities and differences in their approaches. Through a detailed analysis of tone, rhetorical strategies, and thematic concerns, the discussion will shed light on how personal and public voices contribute to broader national discourse during critical historical moments.
Comparative Analysis of Arguments and Opinions on America
The three texts, though differing in form and audience, collectively grapple with America’s identity, values, and moral challenges. James Weldon Johnson’s poem “To America,” published in 1917, adopts a direct and questioning tone, addressing the nation as a personified entity. Johnson, an influential figure in the Harlem Renaissance, poses poignant questions about the African American experience, asking, “How would you have us, as we are? / Or sinking ’neath the load we bear?” (Johnson, 1917, lines 1-2). This rhetorical device underscores a deep sense of frustration and demands recognition of systemic oppression. His argument is not merely accusatory but also reflective, urging America to reconcile its democratic ideals with the lived reality of racial inequality.
In contrast, Cornelia Hancock’s letter, written during her service as a nurse in the Civil War (1863-1865), offers a deeply personal perspective on America’s internal conflict. Her account, addressed to her mother, reveals the visceral human cost of war through vivid descriptions of suffering and loss. Hancock writes of the “wounded and dying” soldiers she tends to, painting a grim picture of a nation torn apart by violence (Hancock, 1863, as cited in Smith, 2007). Unlike Johnson’s broader sociopolitical critique, Hancock’s argument is grounded in immediate, tangible experience. Her implicit claim is that America’s strife—manifested in the Civil War— exacts a profound personal toll, challenging the notion of national unity. Her perspective, though less formal, aligns with Johnson’s in questioning whether America truly upholds its purported values when such suffering persists.
Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, delivered on November 19, 1863, at the dedication of a national cemetery, represents a public and political response to the same war Hancock witnessed. Lincoln’s speech is both a memorial and a call to action, famously urging the nation to ensure “that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom” (Lincoln, 1863, as cited in Wills, 1992). His argument centres on America as an experiment in democracy, one worth preserving despite the immense cost of conflict. Lincoln’s tone is solemn yet hopeful, contrasting with Johnson’s accusatory stance and Hancock’s intimate despair. However, like the other authors, Lincoln critiques America’s present state, albeit with a focus on collective responsibility rather than specific group oppression or personal suffering.
A key similarity across the texts is their shared concern with America’s moral and ethical shortcomings. Johnson questions racial justice, Hancock laments the human cost of division, and Lincoln acknowledges the fragility of democratic ideals amidst war. Yet, their methods of argument differ significantly. Johnson employs direct confrontation, Hancock uses emotional narrative, and Lincoln leverages rhetorical appeals to unity and history. These differences reflect not only their distinct positions—poet, nurse, president—but also their intended audiences, ranging from national introspection to personal correspondence to public address.
Differences in Tone and Purpose Across the Texts
Delving deeper into the disparities, tone and purpose reveal further nuances in how each author forms opinions about America. Johnson’s “To America” is imbued with a tone of weary indignation, reflecting both personal and communal pain. His purpose is interrogative, seeking to provoke thought and accountability from a nation that has marginalized African Americans. Lines such as “Are we a blight?” (Johnson, 1917, line 5) challenge America to confront its hypocrisy. This confrontational style sets Johnson apart, positioning his argument as a demand for change rather than a plea or reflection.
Hancock’s letter, by contrast, adopts a tone of raw honesty and vulnerability. Writing in the midst of the Civil War, her purpose is not to critique America explicitly but to convey the harsh realities she witnesses. Her descriptions of soldiers’ suffering serve as an indirect commentary on the nation’s state, suggesting that America’s pursuit of unity (or division) comes at an unbearable cost (Smith, 2007). Unlike Johnson’s deliberate questioning, Hancock’s claims emerge organically from her lived experience, lacking the structured rhetoric of a public argument. Her personal lens, therefore, offers a ground-level view of national issues, differing markedly from Johnson’s abstracted critique.
Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, meanwhile, employs a tone of measured gravitas, designed to inspire and unify a fractured nation. His purpose is explicitly political: to redefine the Civil War as a test of democratic endurance and to rally support for continued struggle. By invoking the Declaration of Independence and framing the conflict as a fight for “government of the people, by the people, for the people” (Lincoln, 1863, as cited in Wills, 1992), Lincoln constructs an argument rooted in idealism. This contrasts sharply with Hancock’s focus on immediate human suffering and Johnson’s emphasis on systemic injustice. Lincoln’s speech, delivered to a large audience, prioritizes collective healing over individual or group-specific grievances, marking a distinct divergence in approach.
Furthermore, the historical contexts of these works shape their arguments. Johnson writes in the early 20th century, amidst ongoing racial segregation, which fuels his urgent plea for equality. Hancock and Lincoln, writing during the Civil War, address a nation in active conflict, yet their perspectives—personal versus public—yield different claims about America’s trajectory. These contextual differences highlight how time, position, and medium influence the articulation of national critique.
Conclusion
In conclusion, James Weldon Johnson, Cornelia Hancock, and Abraham Lincoln each offer distinct yet interconnected arguments about America through their respective works. Johnson’s poem “To America” challenges the nation on racial oppression with a tone of frustration, Hancock’s letter exposes the personal devastation of war with emotional immediacy, and Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address seeks to redeem America’s democratic promise through unifying rhetoric. While their methods and purposes vary—ranging from personal narrative to public oration—their shared concern with America’s moral failings unites them. Indeed, each author, in their own way, questions whether America can live up to its ideals, whether through addressing systemic injustice, human suffering, or political division. This comparative analysis underscores the complexity of national identity, revealing how diverse voices contribute to ongoing dialogues about America’s past and future. The implications of their arguments remain relevant, prompting contemporary readers to reflect on enduring challenges in equality, unity, and sacrifice within the national fabric.
References
- Johnson, J.W. (1917) To America. In: Fifty Years & Other Poems. Boston: The Cornhill Company.
- Smith, N. (ed.) (2007) Letters of a Civil War Nurse: Cornelia Hancock, 1863-1865. University of Nebraska Press.
- Wills, G. (1992) Lincoln at Gettysburg: The Words That Remade America. Simon & Schuster.
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