Emphasizes Humanity of Men
§ Lincoln and Whitman both wanted what was best for humanity as a whole
o Lincoln: “poet of life,” had something to spread all over the world, a vision, Lincoln argued for emancipation of the slaves; he wanted equal rights for everybody
o Whitman: “poet of humanity”
§ Both authors provide great insight about who these men were
o Lincoln: “in some ways [he] was the most interesting man who ever lived…he was gentle” (paragraph 11)
o Whitman: “he was true to himself, pure, serene, noble” (paragraph 3)
§ Common Man
o Lincoln – wept to show that we can all cry (paragraph 8)
o Never claimed to be lower or greater than anyone else
In the “Speech Honoring Abraham Lincoln” and the “Eulogy for Walt Whitman,” Carl Sandburg and Robert Green Ingersoll both emphasize the humanity of men considered to be great and powerful. One way these authors accomplish this is by depicting Lincoln and Whitman as men who wanted what was best for humanity as a whole. For example, Lincoln argued for the emancipation of the slaves and advocated for equal rights for all, while Whitman was considered the “poet of humanity,” representing all humankind (paragraph 1). Both Sandburg and Ingersoll provide insight about who these men were: Sandburg describes Lincoln as “the most interesting man who ever lived” (paragraph 11), while Ingersoll says Whitman was “true to himself...pure, serene, noble” (paragraph 3). The most significant way that the humanity of these men was emphasized is perhaps by their characterization as common men: Sandburg depicts Lincoln weeping, which showed all men it was OK to cry, while Ingersoll describes Whitman as never putting others down. While both men faced different situations, their humanity is the reason why they have a lasting great legacy to this very day.