TOW 19: Emancipating Lincoln

Harold Holzer, author and Senior Vice President of External Affairs at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, introduces the three main topics of the book, Emancipating Lincoln: 1) the bow of promise, 2) the concept of Emancipator versus Pettifogger, and 3) sacred effigies. He brings up the controversies that shrouds former President Lincoln in a cloud of uncertainty - controversies such as: was Lincoln really an emancipator? Did Lincoln really support anti-slavery? What were Lincoln's true motives for emancipation? And Holzer does this by asking rhetorical questions. He brings up a topic of interest by asking a question and gives an answer with an answer. This effective use of the rhetorical device allows for the reader, anyone interested in Lincoln and the era of the Civil War where the start of emancipation and civil rights was beginning to bud, to address their own curiosities and continue to actively read through this kind of questioning. Holzer effectively establishes his arguments and illustrates an interesting narrative by citing authorities. He makes his statements (and even opinions) valid and credible by quoting important historical figures of that time period, such as Frederick Douglass.
The readers are allowed an alternate view of President Lincoln and the whole situation of emancipation. Holzer seems to establish his purpose, which is to bring up different perspectives of the Emancipation Proclamation (many, bad), while painting a vivid picture of that time period.