Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

In a text, allusions are references to a familiar concept that exists outside the story. Allusions use these outside references to invoke emotion or make connections clear for the reader. In the address, Lincoln makes several direct references to passages from the Bible to make his point. For example, he references Matthew 18:7: “Woe unto the world because of offenses for it must needs be that offenses come but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh” (Paragraph 3). This highlights a dual focus on the universal presence of sin and the individual accountability for collective sin in a group or a nation. Lincoln’s invocation of this biblical principle serves as a reminder of divine justice—that the war is a form of Divine Retribution for the sin of slavery. He also alludes to Matthew 7:1, “let us judge not that we be not judged” (Paragraph 3). According to Lincoln, judgment should be left to God, while humans should practice charity and strive for justice as they understand it. These biblical allusions not only add a layer of solemnity and seriousness to his appeal, but also tap into the deeply held religious beliefs and values of his