Abraham Lincoln and the Self-Made Myth Essay

An ambitious ascent from a poor Illinois farm boy to occupying the highest semi governmental office during one of Americas most turbulent times makes for the belles-lettres of hero worship. In the essay entitled Abraham Lincoln the self-made fable Rich Hofstadter challenges the reader to penetrate beneath the surface of the American political tradions and investigate the event and actions that contri besidesed to the Lincoln Myth. To begin with Hofstadter states that one of Lincolns most endearing qualisties to Americans was his humble origins and the fact that, Lincoln was a superior example of that self-help which Americans have al styluss so admired, (121). But he pull ahead goes on to state that Lincoln used this to his advantage. First in his agitate speeches always eluding to himself as humble Abraham Lincoln and in the way he addressed his own wife in public as mother (122).See more Foot Binding In chinaware essayHe received distinguished guests in shirtsleeves, and on ce during his organisation hailed a soldier out of the ranks with the cry, Bub Bub The concept of the self-made, simple man compete well with the American public thus became fully absorbed into his political being, (124). Historical novels and fictionalized biographies about Lincoln would be amiss of the greater pct of its contents were not dedicated to the slavery issue. Many only give, a tiresome celebration of the America past with a progressive interpretation of American history of her-worship and national self-congratulation, (Forward 2). In Hostadters essay he discusses the slavery issue not with a sentimental approach but with critical analysis. Lincoln was a Southerner by birth. He grew up in communities in Illinois where slavery was rare. Laws against runaway slaves were in force when Lincoln served in the state legislature. It was here that Lincoln made his first public controversy on slavery by voting against a proslavery resolution.