Abe Lincoln in Illinois: Analysis of Major Characters
"Abe Lincoln in Illinois: Analysis of Major Characters" explores the pivotal relationships and experiences that shaped Abraham Lincoln's character and political journey from a young backwoodsman to a prominent political figure. The narrative provides insight into Lincoln’s early life, highlighting key figures such as Ann Rutledge, his first love, whose untimely death profoundly affects him. Mary Todd, his ambitious wife, presents a complex dynamic in their marriage, marked by personal struggles and her frustrations with Lincoln’s political commitments. Other significant characters include Seth Gale, whose family challenges resonate with Lincoln’s concerns about national issues, and his mentors, Mentor Graham and Ninian Edwards, who play critical roles in his intellectual and political development. The analysis also addresses Lincoln's adversarial relationship with Stephen A. Douglas, underscoring the personal and political stakes of their debates. Through these interactions and influences, the overview paints a portrait of Lincoln as a multifaceted individual shaped by love, loss, ambition, and the turbulent political landscape of his time. This exploration invites further investigation into the social and historical contexts that characterized Lincoln's formative years.
Abe Lincoln in Illinois: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Robert E. Sherwood
First published: 1939
Genre: Play
Locale: New Salem and Springfield, Illinois
Plot: Historical
Time: 1831–1861
Abe Lincoln, who, at the age of twenty-two in 1831, is an awkward, melancholy young backwoodsman with no particular ambition. By 1861, he is a man of dedicated political principles whose personality and career have been shaped by friendship, love, loss, marriage, his reactions to the Dred Scott decision, and the great debates with Stephen A. Douglas.
Ann Rutledge, Lincoln's great love, who agrees to marry him after her engagement to another man has been broken. She dies of a sudden fever.
McNeil, Ann's fiancé, who is unable to return from his home in New York State to marry Ann.
Mary Todd, an ambitious young woman who sees in Lincoln the means of fulfilling her own frustrated desires. After their marriage, she bears four children, but her jealousy and tantrums make his life so miserable that he is forced to shut her out of his election triumph.
Seth Gale, Lincoln's friend. When the possible death of his son Jimmie threatens the Gales' plans to move west, Lincoln, seeing in his friend's predicament a symbol of what could happen to his countrymen's hopes after the Dred Scott decision, finds his political convictions shaped and strengthened.
Mentor Graham, the New Salem schoolmaster who taught Lincoln grammar and encouraged his love of poetry and oratory.
Ninian Edwards, Lincoln's political mentor and Mary Todd's brother-in-law. Admiring Lincoln, he urges him to become a candidate for the Illinois State Assembly.
Judge Bowling Green, the New Salem justice of the peace.
Joshua Speed, a New Salem merchant.
Berry, Lincoln's whiskey-drinking partner in a general store. His drinking bankrupts the partnership and leaves Lincoln with a debt of fifteen hundred dollars.
Judge Stuart, with whom Lincoln opens a law office in Springfield.
William H. Herndon, Lincoln's law partner.
Stephen A. Douglas, Lincoln's political opponent.
Jimmie Gale, Seth's young son.