Passage 076 · 1865
Lincoln's Second Inaugural
Main effectThrough triple anaphora, moral antithesis, and qualified assertion, Lincoln creates syntax of reconciliation. Form IS the healing—grammar that balances opposites, qualifies certainty, and unites through inclusive imperative.
§Sentence Architecture — Three withs, then the ask
Three prepositional phrases precede “let us strive.” They establish the attitude in which the proposed work should be done.
- With malice toward none,fronted prepositional phrase 1 (what we renounce)
- with charity for all,fronted prepositional phrase 2 (what we extend)
- with firmness in the rightfronted prepositional phrase 3 (what we keep)
- as God gives us to see the right,subordinate qualification (certainty, humbled)
- let us strive onMAIN CLAUSE (cohortative — command shared, not issued)
- to finish the workinfinitive of purpose
- we are in.relative clause (four plain words for a civil war)
- to finish the workinfinitive of purpose
Device index
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Schemes
Repetition at beginning of clauses.
Balanced opposition.
Similar grammatical structures.
Syntax
"With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right"—three parallel prepositional phrases beginning with "with," each specifying an attitude or principle.
"as God gives us to see the right"—subordinate clause qualifying "firmness in the right." The syntax acknowledges human fallibility even while asserting moral certainty.
"let us strive on"—first person plural imperative. Syntax includes speaker in command, making this collective call to action.
"to finish the work we are in"—infinitive phrase expressing goal. The relative clause "we are in" suggests ongoing work, not yet complete.
Close reading
1Close Reading
Triple Prepositional Opening
"With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right"—three parallel prepositional phrases beginning with "with," each specifying an attitude or principle.
Subordinate Qualification
"as God gives us to see the right"—subordinate clause qualifying "firmness in the right." The syntax acknowledges human fallibility even while asserting moral certainty.
Cohortative Imperative
"let us strive on"—first person plural imperative. Syntax includes speaker in command, making this collective call to action.
Infinitive of Purpose
"to finish the work we are in"—infinitive phrase expressing goal. The relative clause "we are in" suggests ongoing work, not yet complete.
Stylistic Effect
Through triple anaphora, moral antithesis, and qualified assertion, Lincoln creates syntax of reconciliation. Form IS the healing—grammar that balances opposites, qualifies certainty, and unites through inclusive imperative.