The Myth Of Abraham Lincoln

When someone thinks “hero” they probably picture a burly man in a suit and cape, weaving between skyscrapers and saving small, screaming and vulnerable citizens from some evil force. Although not all heroes wear capes and fly around saving people, all heroes have a common virtue - the ability and willingness to sacrifice themselves for the good of others. Furthermore, heroes tend to follow a particular sequence of events, referred to as a “Hero’s Journey.” Abraham Lincoln was a hero because he follows Joseph Campbell’s “Hero’s Journey” and was a vehicle of change for the United States of America. Lincoln grew up in a very modest setting, and lived on the edge of poverty.

Abraham Lincoln is by far our most revered president in the history of the United States. He had a strong moral vision of where his country must go to preserve and enlarge the rights of all her people, but he was also a good man with a strong sense of character and a great discipline in the art of law; and he sought to continue the great and mighty legacy of the Constitution. He believed that the Founding Fathers had drawn up the Constitution without the mention of slavery because they felt that it would later die of a natural death. He would soon learn that that would not be the case.

Oates, Stephen B. Abraham Lincoln the Man behind the Myths. New York: Harper & Row, 1984. Print.

Abraham Lincoln is a modern day hero because he is compassionate for abolishing slavery, freeing slaves from harsh environments in the confederacy, and his speech to prove equality among caucasians and african americans. His name was Abraham Lincoln, he was born on february 12, 1809. Abraham was born near hodgenville, kentucky. He is a husband to Mary Ann Todd Lincoln and a father to Edward, Wille, Thomas, and Robert. One of Abraham's accomplishments was successfully passing the 13th amendment, helping the union win the civil war, and influenced the north and south together. Abraham is an absolute hero because of the inspiration he is too many people.

Even though Abraham Lincoln was considered to be one of America’s greatest presidents, Hofstadter challenges that idea. Hofstadter also states that Lincoln was an advocate for the common man and believed in simplicity. – “It was precisely in his attainments as a common man that Lincoln felt himself to be remarkable, and in this light that he interpreted to the world the significance of his career.” Lincoln struggled with many conflicts as president. The most significant conflict that Hofstadter presents is the conflict of his balancing his religious beliefs and ultimate goals of becoming successful. “The motivating force in the mythology of success is ambition, which is closely akin to the cardinal Christian sin of pride… How can an earnest man, a public figure living in a time of crisis, gratify his aspirations and yet remain morally whole? “He believes that making him known to be the “clean hero” was completely outlandish. Hofstadter’s biggest criticism about Lincoln is that “he was a follower and not a leader of public opinion.” One major example was the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, which stated that “contained no indictment of slavery, … expressly omitted the loyal slave states from its terms … [and] did not in fact free any slaves.” Hofstadter also criticizes Lincoln’s “embarrassing contradictions” when it came to the topic of slavery, where in a Chicago speech he presented he said

Thomas J. DiLorenzo’s book, The Real Lincoln: A New Look at Abraham Lincoln, His Agenda, and an Unnecessary War, is about unveiling the side of President Lincoln that is not told in today’s history books and is overlooked by the monumental Lincoln legend. Joseph Sobran, a commentator and nationally syndicated columnist, stated that The Real Lincoln is “A devastating critique of America’s most famous president.” DiLorenzo’s book exposes the myths that made the Civil War seem vague. DiLorenzo is an American economics professor at Loyola University Maryland

“The Real Lincoln written by Thomas J. Dilorenzo published in 2002 gives us details into the Lincoln presidency It shows how Lincoln wanted a more central government he was not a man for all people but for the north. It shows that Lincoln was not the reason for the split in the country but a sense of pride was to blame. He did not support equal rights in slave and white americans. He was for the “ American system” and the expansion of America. Lorenzo is a member of the faculty at Loyola University of Maryland where he teaches economics. Lorenzo also wrote several other books: Lincoln Unmasked, How Capitalism Saved America, Hamilton’s Curse, and Inflating War. He is not the biggest fan of Lincoln in The Real Lincoln; in this book he tends

In the taxing process of saving the Union, Lincoln managed to write a document for the purpose of freeing the slaves. Though this operation aroused an overwhelming amount of controversy, the controversy is a significant part of Lincoln’s legacy. Despite the fact that the Emancipation Proclamation is considered to be one of Lincoln’s most admired achievements, some claim that he did not deserve this praise. Furthermore, they argue that the importance of his action was exaggerated. However, by issuing the Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln assisted in freeing the slaves by encouraging them to free themselves. As “The Great Emancipator” mentions, “Lincoln’s proclamation was a moral landmark. It also was a political stroke of genius that began the long-overdue process of crushing slavery.” Throughout the entirety of his presidency, Lincoln invested himself in extinguishing slavery, one of America’s greatest

In her award-winning book entitled Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, Doris Kearns Goodwin quotes the former president as warning his delegation prior to the Chicago Republican Convention to “Make no contract that will bind me.” Lincoln was the sculptor of his own life. He had spent years chiseling himself into the model leader that he wanted to present to the nation. An independent thinker, Lincoln did not want the political whims of others to define him. In the same fashion, I am a person who eschews the capricious desires of society.

In Thomas J. Dilorenzo’s book, The Real Lincoln: A New Look at Abraham Lincoln, His Agenda, and an Unnecessary War, is about Dilorenzo challenging the image of Lincoln by raising questions about Lincoln’s morals and beliefs as president. Dilorenzo attempts to raise arguments that Lincoln’s stance on race was unfair and unjust to the people. Dilorenzo also offers quotes from Lincoln himself, and then argues how Lincoln did not carry out his quote, but in fact, did the opposite. While Dilorenzo makes valid arguments with credible sources; he also has a way of opening a new view of Lincoln to the readers. Dilorenzo’s purpose for writing this book is to discuss the countless myths about Lincoln himself and uncovers the side of Lincoln that was

In 1858, there was a great struggle within the state of Illinois for a seat in the Senate. The well know Stephen A. Douglas, the favored candidate, was excepted to win. Abraham Lincoln was not a well known candidate. In a struggle for the possible position, Lincoln proposed that he and Douglas organize a series of debates, so that both men might “divide time, and address the same audiences during the same canvass.” Douglas accepted, and he feared that he had “everything to lose from a joint appearance, and yet to decline the challenge would have seemed unmanly in the West of the mid nineteenth century.” Douglas then purposed dates and places; Lincoln complained that Douglas would have four opening and closings speeches whereas he would

In Thomas Dilorenzo’s controversial book, The Real Lincoln: A New Look at Abraham Lincoln, His Agenda, and an Unnecessary War, a new light is shed upon the historic President Lincoln. It challenges ideas and beliefs that students are taught in grade school, and incorporates a new way of thinking. Above all, this book provides insight into the real life of Lincoln, and remains controversial due to its impeding and harsh criticisms.

During the Abraham Lincoln’s short time as president, he managed not only to save a nation deeply divided and at war with itself, but to solidify the United States of America as a nation dedicated to the progress of civil rights. Years after his death, he was awarded the title of ‘The Great Emancipator.’ In this paper, I will examine many different aspects of Lincoln’s presidency in order to come to a conclusion: whether this title bestowed unto Lincoln was deserved, or not. In order to fully understand Lincoln, it is necessary to understand the motives that drove this man to action. While some of his intentions may not have been for the welfare of slaves, but for the preservation of the Union,

Abraham Lincoln is by far our most revered president in the history of the United States. He had a strong moral vision of where his country must go to preserve and enlarge the rights of all her people, but he was also a good man with a strong sense of character and a great discipline in the art of law; and he sought to continue the great and mighty legacy of the Constitution. He believed that the Founding Fathers had drawn up the Constitution without the mention of slavery because they felt that it would later die of a natural death. He would soon learn that that would not be the case.

His mother’s death was very hard for him and put a lot of responsibility on Lincoln and his sister at a young age. His father, Thomas, later married Sarah Bush and she and Lincoln got along very well. Lincoln didn’t really have the opportunity to get a great education but was able to learn the basics like reading and writing and kind of taught himself from there. After he learned to read he became very interested in books and would read anything he could get his hands on. In a biography I read it says “Neighbors recalled how Abraham would walk for miles to borrow a book.” (biography.com). Awhile later the Lincolns moved again to Illinois to a place called Macon County where Abraham really began his life and worked hard and worked in many areas doing many things. His work and friendly attitude made him well like by the people of his town and ultimately helped gain his position in politics. Lincoln originally started in politics as a member of the whig party and served one term on the house of U.S. House of Representatives. Lincoln wasn’t the most popular member of the house and his views on the Mexican American war didn’t help him out so he decided to go back home and practice law get married and have a family before returning to politics as a republican. In the presidential election of 1860 Abraham Lincoln was elected as our nation 's sixteenth president. He beat three other candidates which were Stephen Douglas, John Bell,