Lincoln: Beyond the Myth (Part Two)

In my last semester of college, I completed a writing portfolio entitled "Exploring Modern American Culture through Contemporary Cinema." It contained four essays dissecting four recent films. The third essay examined how Steven Spielberg's Lincoln portrayed the 16th president of the United States. The second part of that essay is below. I will post a new portfolio excerpt every day. Previous posts: The Dark Knight - Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four; (500) Days of Summer - Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four; Lincoln - Part One.
 

Lincoln: Beyond the Myth

An Unusual Leader

Lincoln begins in routine historical film fashion: a somber Civil War battle rages on, showing the horrific nature of the war. But expectations begin to be subverted, ever so slightly, once the battle ends. The president casually converses with two black soldiers at a Union Army camp. He listens to everything they have to say, which is mostly respectful, occasionally critical speech. One objects to the economic and legal inequality between black and white soldiers; Lincoln neither dismisses the issue nor provides a solution or words of encouragement. The group is later joined by two white soldiers, who pour out their admiration for the president. Despite the peculiarity of its nonchalance, this moment retains the idealizing worshipfulness common in portrayals of Lincoln. These soldiers admire their leader greatly – so much so that they have memorized the Gettysburg Address, which they quote to him. Though his weaknesses are hinted at in his lack of response to the black soldier, in this scene, Lincoln is more than a man. He is an idol.

As the film progresses, Lincoln’s eccentricity becomes more evident. He is a man of great intrigue and eloquence, but not in the way that is generally expected of leaders. He does not spend the movie jovially shaking hands and kissing babies, nor does he fit the stern “Saint Abraham” image Americans might have in their minds (Wilentz 29). Instead, Spielberg’s film presents a man who was a virtuoso politician in his own unique way. His Lincoln is an introverted, intellectual man who cannot and will not pretend to be anything else. He often annoys and bewitches his Cabinet members by interjecting sometimes long, obscure stories and quotes during their political debates. Lincoln tells metaphorical tales with quiet charisma and purpose. His tangents are never meaningless. For example, he interrupts an argument with his Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton (David Strathairn), about pushing for the 13th Amendment over ending the war. After an exasperated Stanton declares “it’s a disaster,” Lincoln says “time is a great thickener of things” (Spielberg). At first Stanton agrees; then he admits he has no idea what the president is talking about. It is not that Lincoln is actually speaking nonsense. He is trying to convey, in his own way, that the 13th Amendment may cause immediate political problems, but time will show its importance and righteousness.

This behavior is common with Spielberg’s Lincoln. His conduct is not what modern Americans expect from any great politician, and especially not from the venerated Lincoln. There is nothing inherently wrong with Lincoln’s cryptic manner, but it is certainly unusual. When one thinks of a revered president, does he or she think of a bookish man who casually quotes Shakespeare and confounds even his closest political allies? Probably not. To add to this, Lincoln is not all that serious either. He is dedicated when it comes to serving the nation and promoting equality, but he is not averse to telling jokes and even swearing now and then. These personality quirks alone could shatter one’s perception of Abraham Lincoln. They bring him down to earth from his lofty historical pedestal. Lincoln still shows him as an extraordinary man, but not the solemn figure of American lore, and definitely not the type of outgoing politician favored by society today.

Sources

Spielberg, Steven, dir. Lincoln. Writ. Tony Kushner, Perf. Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, and Tommy Lee Jones. Touchstone Pictures, 2012. Film. 1 Nov 2013.

Wilentz, Sean. "The Lost Cause and the Won Cause: Abraham Lincoln in politics and the

movies." New Republic. 31 Dec 2012: 28-34. Print.