Abe Lincoln in Illinois -- by Robert E. Sherwood (1939)

Description

Some shows ignite patriotism and magnify Americana; a play that fits that description is Sherwood's biographical play that chronicles Abraham Lincoln's life prior to becoming the President of the United States. The 3-act play provides the audience with versions of Lincoln to contextualize his presidency. His traumatic, youthful romance with Ann Rutledge is incorporated into the play along with his dynamic marriage with Mary Todd. Various friends and mentors make appearances, along with a snippet of a famous Lincoln-Douglas debate. The show begins with a young, adolescent Lincoln being mentored and ends with a bearded, 51-year-old Lincoln leaving his hometown via train for the White House. The show is certainly no Hamilton, but it does Lincoln honor, which might not be reflected in my scoring. I had a difficult time scoring this play-- it was just right, nothing remarkable.

In more praise, though, I must say I was surprised at how follow-able it was with its zillion characters. I was afraid I'd be lost in the play with the number of characters and my lack of historical expertise. I had no confusion who was who during each scene . . . then again, the dialogue was a tad overly-expositional, which was a turn-off.

Watch the old movie trailer here.
Candid Reactions

• Wow, there are a zillion cast members. 
• Carl Sandburg provides a nice introduction that questions "whether it will be a drama that people will go to see and value as drama" (xi). I think this is an accurate question. It is a drama, but it is not a play that pushes the audience member to the edge of his/her seat. 
• Light is an automatic symbol from the start. 
• Sherwood quickly challenges the audience to humanize Lincoln. 
• Lincoln kinda sounds like Bruce Wayne. 
• Feargus? That's a name?
• Foreshadowing, anyone? We all know Lincoln's presidential role, but we don't all know how he was a pacifier pre-presidency. 
• Interesting to think that Lincoln was so caught-up on repaying debts. 
• The image of a "twig in a whirlpool" is lasting (61). 
• Sherwood is clever to end Act 1 with focus on light, again. 
• Do fanatics need mouthpieces? Food for thought . . . 
• Gee, thanks . . . after getting into the Electoral College, one of his pals says, "And is that the best you can do?" (74). Lincoln was a patient man. 
• Looking at someone with "melting eyes" sounds terrifying (92). 
• Classic letter-burning. 
• In Lincoln's prayer in Scene 7, he speaks as if God should honor the dying boy's American heritage. What?
• Lincoln, man of many great words, appears to be so awkward with women. 
• Douglas seems kinda crazy. 
• Lincoln argues, "When you begin qualifying freedom, watch out for the consequences to you!" (139). His argument would find resonance today. 
• That final spat with Mary was uncomfortable and does not leave their relationship in the best light. 
• In the penultimate scene, Billy remarks, "Civil War! And he'll  have the whole terrible responsibility for it-- a man who has never wanted anything in his life but to be let alone, in peace!" (173). His rise to the White House seems quite tragic in this sense.  

Top Two Aspects/Reasons for Winning

1. Lincoln the Person

Sherwood purposefully chose to chronicle Lincoln pre-presidency and not just politically. Truthfully, Lincoln's story is quite romantic and patriotic. Had Sherwood written a biographical play on a less-popular person, and used the techniques, I believe the play would be quite boring.

Classroom Implications

This text would actually be better suited for a history class, but it could be used to discuss character development. It might be interesting to have different groups read different passages and then determine how they would describe Abe and why. They could examine how Sherwood drew these characteristics out.

Personal Takeaway

Abe Lincoln was a class-act.

Ranking

	Dialogue	Characters	Plot/Conflict	Symbol/Literary Devices	Overall Enjoyment	TOTAL SCORE 6.0
0	Unfollowable; unrealistic; diction does not match character	Undeveloped; does not reflect humanity	Not engaging; predictable; reader can step away from text because it isn’t gripping	Devices are apparent for cleverness and do not enhance the story	Reader has no interest in re-reading play
1	Not consistently realistic (1.25)	Well-developed; most depictions reflect humanity (1.25)	Semi-engaging; some unnecessary plot-points (1)	Devices somewhat enhance story  (1)	Reader would re-read with pleasure and reminded of work (1.5)
2	Realistic; connotative; diction matches characters	Fully-developed; depictions reflect humanity	Engaging; unique; reader finds it impossible to put down text because the conflict is so gripping!	Devices seamlessly enhance the story and provide rich interpretation	Reader would re-read the play on own volition, enthusiastically