Kyle Christensen
Ms. Lehmann
English 1-3
2 October 2019
Quindlen vs Lincoln
Are equality, unity, and patriotism important to you? Anna Quindlen and Abraham Lincoln both thought they were crucial to the success of our nation. This essay will compare and contrast the way Quindlen and Lincoln discuss equality, unity, and patriotism in their works “A Quilt of a Country” and the “Gettysburg Address.” The first point to consider is equality.
Quindlen and Lincoln both talk about equality. Both authors agree that equality is worth striving for even though we don’t have it yet. Quindlen explains that our nation has held onto the value of equality since its creation. She writes, “America... is held together by the notion that all men are created equal” (Quindlen 3). Here, Quindlen highlights the value of equality, not only as something we should fight for, but also as a value that has held our nation together. Although both authors value equality, Quindlen points to cultural inequalities while Lincoln faced the much more severe slavery issues of his time. Lincoln, like Quindlen, saw the inequalities in the way people in our country are treated, but he fought a civil war to free slaves. In his speech, he says “We here highly resolve that... this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom” (Lincoln 28). Lincoln wanted equality to keep our nation together, but he didn’t see the fruits of his labor. Quindlen and Lincoln both recognized its potential and pitfalls as a national value, and both argue that it is something the United States needs to continue to work for, just like unity.
Quindlen and Lincoln believe that unity is difficult to obtain. Both authors believe that unity is difficult but worth it. Quindlen explains why unity is difficult in her article “Quilt of a Country” after the times America has failed to be united. Quindlen says, “It is difficult to know how to convince kids that this amounts to, crown thy good with brotherhood, that amid all the failures is something spectacularly successful” (Quindlen 4). Quindlen states that unity is difficult, and we fail a lot at unity in our country. While the authors agree that unity is a critical, difficult ideal of our nation, they saw unity in different ways. Quindlen’s focus is on unifying the diverse cultures in our country on a social level, while Lincoln’s priority was unifying America politically. Lincoln explains that reuniting the country will take dedication. Lincoln stated, “It is for us the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced” (Lincoln 28). Lincoln wanted to unite the government and the country. Unity, according to both authors, is difficult to achieve; the authors see unity differently because of the time in which they lived, but both see its value, nonetheless. Unity in one's country also involves patriotism.
Both Lincoln and Quindlen agree that patriotism is having pride in America, flaws and all. They also see the importance of national pride in keeping the country united. Quindlen says that patriotism means, being proud of the differences and cultures of our country. Quindlen wrote, “Patriotism is partly taking pride in this unlikely ability to throw all of us together in a country 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). Quindlen recognizes that patriotism requires U.S. citizens to be proud that we are diverse but united. Lincoln was proud of America, too, but what he needed from citizens was devotion. Following the battle of Gettysburg, Lincoln said “We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live” (Lincoln 27). Lincoln sees patriotism as being willing to sacrifice for your country. In both cases, patriotism was necessary for unity.
Quindlen’s essay “A Quilt of a Country” and Lincoln’s speech the “Gettysburg Address” address the topics of equality, unity, and patriotism in ways that are similar and different. Both authors saw equality as an important ideal, but their struggles to attain it were different. Each of the authors wanted unity for different reasons. Quindlen and Lincoln are both patriots, but they show their loyalty to America in their own ways. So, considering all of this, what do you think the role of equality, unity, and patriotism is in the U.S.?
Works Cited Page
Lincoln, Abraham. “Gettysburg Address.” Collections, Edited by Kylene Beers, Martha Hougen, Carol Jago, William L. McBride,
Erik Palmer & Lydia Stack, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017, pp. 27-28.
Anna, Quindlen. “A Quilt of a Country.” Collection, Edited by Kylene Beers, Martha Hougen, Carol Jago, William L. McBride,
Erik Palmer, & Lydia Stack, Houghton Miffiln Harcourt, 2017, pp. 3-6.
Compare and Contrast Reflection
Please answer all questions in complete, grammatically correct sentences.
2. What qualifies this paper as a compare and contrast essay? What are the requirements for this genre and how did you meet them?
This paper is a compare and contrast essay because it is comparing and contrasting two different stories. In order to be a compare and contrast essay it has to be comparing and contrasting two different things. Which I did do that.
3. Tell me about one challenge you faced writing this paper and how you overcame it.
Something that was challenging was finding the different things to compare and contrast. I overcame it by rereading the stories and looking for things in common.
Ms. Lehmann
English 1-3
2 October 2019
Quindlen vs Lincoln
Are equality, unity, and patriotism important to you? Anna Quindlen and Abraham Lincoln both thought they were crucial to the success of our nation. This essay will compare and contrast the way Quindlen and Lincoln discuss equality, unity, and patriotism in their works “A Quilt of a Country” and the “Gettysburg Address.” The first point to consider is equality.
Quindlen and Lincoln both talk about equality. Both authors agree that equality is worth striving for even though we don’t have it yet. Quindlen explains that our nation has held onto the value of equality since its creation. She writes, “America... is held together by the notion that all men are created equal” (Quindlen 3). Here, Quindlen highlights the value of equality, not only as something we should fight for, but also as a value that has held our nation together. Although both authors value equality, Quindlen points to cultural inequalities while Lincoln faced the much more severe slavery issues of his time. Lincoln, like Quindlen, saw the inequalities in the way people in our country are treated, but he fought a civil war to free slaves. In his speech, he says “We here highly resolve that... this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom” (Lincoln 28). Lincoln wanted equality to keep our nation together, but he didn’t see the fruits of his labor. Quindlen and Lincoln both recognized its potential and pitfalls as a national value, and both argue that it is something the United States needs to continue to work for, just like unity.
Quindlen and Lincoln believe that unity is difficult to obtain. Both authors believe that unity is difficult but worth it. Quindlen explains why unity is difficult in her article “Quilt of a Country” after the times America has failed to be united. Quindlen says, “It is difficult to know how to convince kids that this amounts to, crown thy good with brotherhood, that amid all the failures is something spectacularly successful” (Quindlen 4). Quindlen states that unity is difficult, and we fail a lot at unity in our country. While the authors agree that unity is a critical, difficult ideal of our nation, they saw unity in different ways. Quindlen’s focus is on unifying the diverse cultures in our country on a social level, while Lincoln’s priority was unifying America politically. Lincoln explains that reuniting the country will take dedication. Lincoln stated, “It is for us the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced” (Lincoln 28). Lincoln wanted to unite the government and the country. Unity, according to both authors, is difficult to achieve; the authors see unity differently because of the time in which they lived, but both see its value, nonetheless. Unity in one's country also involves patriotism.
Both Lincoln and Quindlen agree that patriotism is having pride in America, flaws and all. They also see the importance of national pride in keeping the country united. Quindlen says that patriotism means, being proud of the differences and cultures of our country. Quindlen wrote, “Patriotism is partly taking pride in this unlikely ability to throw all of us together in a country 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). Quindlen recognizes that patriotism requires U.S. citizens to be proud that we are diverse but united. Lincoln was proud of America, too, but what he needed from citizens was devotion. Following the battle of Gettysburg, Lincoln said “We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live” (Lincoln 27). Lincoln sees patriotism as being willing to sacrifice for your country. In both cases, patriotism was necessary for unity.
Quindlen’s essay “A Quilt of a Country” and Lincoln’s speech the “Gettysburg Address” address the topics of equality, unity, and patriotism in ways that are similar and different. Both authors saw equality as an important ideal, but their struggles to attain it were different. Each of the authors wanted unity for different reasons. Quindlen and Lincoln are both patriots, but they show their loyalty to America in their own ways. So, considering all of this, what do you think the role of equality, unity, and patriotism is in the U.S.?
Works Cited Page
Lincoln, Abraham. “Gettysburg Address.” Collections, Edited by Kylene Beers, Martha Hougen, Carol Jago, William L. McBride,
Erik Palmer & Lydia Stack, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017, pp. 27-28.
Anna, Quindlen. “A Quilt of a Country.” Collection, Edited by Kylene Beers, Martha Hougen, Carol Jago, William L. McBride,
Erik Palmer, & Lydia Stack, Houghton Miffiln Harcourt, 2017, pp. 3-6.
Compare and Contrast Reflection
Please answer all questions in complete, grammatically correct sentences.
- Explain the process you went through to write this paper. Please be specific.
2. What qualifies this paper as a compare and contrast essay? What are the requirements for this genre and how did you meet them?
This paper is a compare and contrast essay because it is comparing and contrasting two different stories. In order to be a compare and contrast essay it has to be comparing and contrasting two different things. Which I did do that.
3. Tell me about one challenge you faced writing this paper and how you overcame it.
Something that was challenging was finding the different things to compare and contrast. I overcame it by rereading the stories and looking for things in common.