The Art of Rhetoric in Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address — Quiz
Question 5 • Literature and Composition I
Read the excerpt from Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address. Each [party] looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding. Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces, but let us judge not, that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered. That of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes. Which statement best d escribes Lincoln’s use of rhetorical appeal?
Answer
A
He uses logos to explain the historical significance of war.
B
He relies on pathos to reveal his own conflicted emotions about war.
C
He uses ethos to illustrate the similarities between North and South.
D
He relies on pathos to stir listeners’ anger and outrage.
Explanation
Lincoln uses emotionally charged language about people seeking God’s help while “wringing their bread from the sweat of other men’s faces.” This draws attention to the injustice of slavery and can stir listeners’ anger and outrage, making pathos the best choice. He also notes that both sides share religious beliefs, but the passage’s main appeal is not simply to show their similarities.
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