Evan Allen
Ms. Lehman
English 1 1-A
27 September 2018
The Ever-Changing Values of Our Nation
What are the values of our nation that have stood the test of time? Both “the Gettysburg address” and Quilt of a Country” explore this very question. They essay will compare and contrast “The Gettysburg Address,” by Abraham Lincoln, and “Quilt of a Country,” by Anna Quindlen. The first value the two authors explore is unity.
Both Lincoln and Quindlen see the value of unity in our nation. By unifying our people, the United Sates will be stronger and go further. Lincoln's “Gettysburg Address, "delivered after one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War, stresses the importance of the uniting the North and the South. Lincoln tells his audience to make sure that “this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom-and that the government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth” (Lincoln 28). Lincoln recognized that the only way to keep this country’s government alive was to unify the two parts of the nation. Like Lincoln, Quindlen wants the people of the United States to get along so we can function as one nation. Quindlen, though, is concerned with uniting the various cultures that make up our country today. Quindlen writes, “one of the things that stands for is this vexing notion that a great nation can consist entirely of refugees from other nations, that people of different, even warring religions and cultures can live, if not side by side, then on either side of the country’s Chester Avenues (Quindlen 5). Quindlen makes the observation that unity is one of the values that have stood the test of time in our nation. Although it looks different today than it did for Lincoln, unity still matters to our nation. Unity often leads to patriotism, another value the authors share.
Lincoln and Quindlen both demonstrate a large amount of patriotism and urge their audiences to share in that as well. “The Gettysburg Address,” delivered at the dedication of the Gettysburg Cemetery, honored the fallen soldiers who fought for the North. Lincoln tells his audience that, “we cannot dedicate – we cannot consecrate – we cannot hallow this ground” because “the brave man, living and dead, who struggled here have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract (Lincoln 27). He even says that the world “can never forget what they did here” (Lincoln). Lincoln praises the soldiers for their patriotism and urges the audience to show the same dedication to their country. Quindlen, on the other hand, is more interested in the diversity of our citizens. She writes that “patriotism is partly taking pride in this unlikely ability to throw all of us together in a nation that across its length and breadth is as different as a dozen countries, and still be able to call it by one name” (Quindlen 6). While Lincoln was proud of the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for the values of our nation, Quindlen is proud of our modern, diverse population. Although it takes different forms, both authors agree that the United States is unlike other country, and that is something its citizens should be proud of. Along with patriotism, both authors value equality.
Lincoln and Quindlen both say that people need to be treated equally in order for our country to survive. Lincoln wanted the slaves to be treated equally. That’s what the Civil War began over, and after the Battle of Gettysburg, Lincoln said, “this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom” (Lincoln 28). Lincoln refers to the slaves when he talks about a “new birth of freedom,” showing that he wants them to have equality. Quindlen wants everyone to be treated equally, no matter their background. She describes our nation as a country made up of immigrants, and our country will only continue to work if everyone is treated equally, no matter where they come from. She says that this is difficult, but “like may impossible ideas, when it actually works, it’s a wonder” (Quindlen 6). She makes the point that if we can overcome our differences and work together and treat one another equally we can all move this nation forward into a better tomorrow. Both authors think that our nation will only continue to be united if we treat each other equally.
“The Gettysburg Address” and “A Quilt of a Country” both examine the values of our nation, though they do so different ways. Abraham Lincoln and Anna Quindlen both talk about unity, patriotism, and equality in ways that are similar and different. For both authors, unity is important, politically for Lincoln and culturally for Quindlen. Patriotism for Lincoln centers on the government of the US while Quindlen values our diversity, but both authors agree that patriotism matters. Lincoln’s and Quindlen’s works prove that unity, patriotism, and equality are values of our nation that have stood the test of time.
Works Cited
Lincoln, Abraham. “The Gettysburg Address.” Collections. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017.
Quindlen, Anna. “Quilt of a Country.” Collections. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017.
Compare and Contrast Essay Reflection
1. List one thing you've learned from writing this paper that you can apply to other writing assignments. What will that look like?
I learned that to use quotes, you have to introduce the quote, write the quote, and explain the quote. I will do this every time I use a quote.
2. Identify a specific revision you were asked to make and explain why (this can be at any stage of the writing process). How did you revise? What did you learn?
I had to finish my fourth paragraph. I learned to turn my things in on time.
3. What are the conventions of a compare and contrast essay and how did you meet those in his assignment?
A compare and contrast essay talks about the similarities and differences between the two essays. That's what I did in this assignment.
4. Given more time to work on this assignment, how would you improve it?
I would make it more specific.
5. What is one thing you're proud of in this paper?
I am proud of how I used my quotes.
Ms. Lehman
English 1 1-A
27 September 2018
The Ever-Changing Values of Our Nation
What are the values of our nation that have stood the test of time? Both “the Gettysburg address” and Quilt of a Country” explore this very question. They essay will compare and contrast “The Gettysburg Address,” by Abraham Lincoln, and “Quilt of a Country,” by Anna Quindlen. The first value the two authors explore is unity.
Both Lincoln and Quindlen see the value of unity in our nation. By unifying our people, the United Sates will be stronger and go further. Lincoln's “Gettysburg Address, "delivered after one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War, stresses the importance of the uniting the North and the South. Lincoln tells his audience to make sure that “this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom-and that the government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth” (Lincoln 28). Lincoln recognized that the only way to keep this country’s government alive was to unify the two parts of the nation. Like Lincoln, Quindlen wants the people of the United States to get along so we can function as one nation. Quindlen, though, is concerned with uniting the various cultures that make up our country today. Quindlen writes, “one of the things that stands for is this vexing notion that a great nation can consist entirely of refugees from other nations, that people of different, even warring religions and cultures can live, if not side by side, then on either side of the country’s Chester Avenues (Quindlen 5). Quindlen makes the observation that unity is one of the values that have stood the test of time in our nation. Although it looks different today than it did for Lincoln, unity still matters to our nation. Unity often leads to patriotism, another value the authors share.
Lincoln and Quindlen both demonstrate a large amount of patriotism and urge their audiences to share in that as well. “The Gettysburg Address,” delivered at the dedication of the Gettysburg Cemetery, honored the fallen soldiers who fought for the North. Lincoln tells his audience that, “we cannot dedicate – we cannot consecrate – we cannot hallow this ground” because “the brave man, living and dead, who struggled here have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract (Lincoln 27). He even says that the world “can never forget what they did here” (Lincoln). Lincoln praises the soldiers for their patriotism and urges the audience to show the same dedication to their country. Quindlen, on the other hand, is more interested in the diversity of our citizens. She writes that “patriotism is partly taking pride in this unlikely ability to throw all of us together in a nation that across its length and breadth is as different as a dozen countries, and still be able to call it by one name” (Quindlen 6). While Lincoln was proud of the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for the values of our nation, Quindlen is proud of our modern, diverse population. Although it takes different forms, both authors agree that the United States is unlike other country, and that is something its citizens should be proud of. Along with patriotism, both authors value equality.
Lincoln and Quindlen both say that people need to be treated equally in order for our country to survive. Lincoln wanted the slaves to be treated equally. That’s what the Civil War began over, and after the Battle of Gettysburg, Lincoln said, “this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom” (Lincoln 28). Lincoln refers to the slaves when he talks about a “new birth of freedom,” showing that he wants them to have equality. Quindlen wants everyone to be treated equally, no matter their background. She describes our nation as a country made up of immigrants, and our country will only continue to work if everyone is treated equally, no matter where they come from. She says that this is difficult, but “like may impossible ideas, when it actually works, it’s a wonder” (Quindlen 6). She makes the point that if we can overcome our differences and work together and treat one another equally we can all move this nation forward into a better tomorrow. Both authors think that our nation will only continue to be united if we treat each other equally.
“The Gettysburg Address” and “A Quilt of a Country” both examine the values of our nation, though they do so different ways. Abraham Lincoln and Anna Quindlen both talk about unity, patriotism, and equality in ways that are similar and different. For both authors, unity is important, politically for Lincoln and culturally for Quindlen. Patriotism for Lincoln centers on the government of the US while Quindlen values our diversity, but both authors agree that patriotism matters. Lincoln’s and Quindlen’s works prove that unity, patriotism, and equality are values of our nation that have stood the test of time.
Works Cited
Lincoln, Abraham. “The Gettysburg Address.” Collections. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017.
Quindlen, Anna. “Quilt of a Country.” Collections. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017.
Compare and Contrast Essay Reflection
1. List one thing you've learned from writing this paper that you can apply to other writing assignments. What will that look like?
I learned that to use quotes, you have to introduce the quote, write the quote, and explain the quote. I will do this every time I use a quote.
2. Identify a specific revision you were asked to make and explain why (this can be at any stage of the writing process). How did you revise? What did you learn?
I had to finish my fourth paragraph. I learned to turn my things in on time.
3. What are the conventions of a compare and contrast essay and how did you meet those in his assignment?
A compare and contrast essay talks about the similarities and differences between the two essays. That's what I did in this assignment.
4. Given more time to work on this assignment, how would you improve it?
I would make it more specific.
5. What is one thing you're proud of in this paper?
I am proud of how I used my quotes.