Abraham Lincoln in Alexandra Petri’s US History: A Character Analysis
Overview
Abraham Lincoln does not appear as a conventional character in Alexandra Petri’s US History. Instead, he is represented through two distinct satirical frames: as the implied speaker of a parody of the Gettysburg Address written in the style of Aaron Sorkin (Chapter 25) and as an animatronic figure in a surreal apocalyptic battle in the Hall of Presidents (Chapter 75). These portrayals serve to deconstruct the mythic, solemn image of Lincoln that dominates American historical memory. The book uses his iconic status to critique how historical figures are repackaged for modern political and rhetorical purposes.
Plot Role
In Chapter 25, “The Gettysburg Address, by Aaron Sorkin,” the narrative voice walks a character named Stacy across the battlefield, dramatically unpacking the significance of the event. The parody mimics Sorkin’s trademark rapid-fire, self-conscious dialogue: the speaker spells out “LXXXVII,” speculates about the Founders’ “radical proposition” of equality, and claims the soldiers have already hallowed the ground. The speech ends with the line “government of the people…perishing from the earth isn’t cool” and the anti-climactic conclusion “You know what would suck? If it perished.” This version of Lincoln — never named but unmistakably the author of the actual address — becomes a verbose, slightly absurd orator whose earnestness is undercut by the modern dramatic style imposed upon him. The chapter satirizes how contemporary media reframes profound historical moments into glib rhetorical performances.
In Chapter 75, “Ragnarok in the Hall of Presidents,” Lincoln is one of several animatronic presidents that come to life for a final battle. He fights “manfully against the tooth phalanx, wielding his chair with firm, strong strokes” but is ultimately shot by an animatronic John Wilkes Booth. His death mirrors his historical assassination, but in this apocalyptic context it also serves as a symbolic reckoning: even the most revered presidents are subject to the unavoidable consequences of their era’s violence. Lincoln’s heroism is acknowledged, but he cannot escape the fate that history (and the satire) assigns him.
Motivations and Traits Shown Through Actions
The Sorkin-style Lincoln is motivated by a need to explain and inspire. He is confident in his rhetorical abilities, but the parody exposes that confidence as self-importance. He assumes his audience (Stacy) needs a walking tour full of dramatic pauses and personal speculation. Traits include earnestness, a belief in democratic ideals, and a tendency toward verbose explanation.
The animatronic Lincoln in Ragnarok displays physical courage and determination. He uses a chair as a weapon, fights alongside other presidents, and does not flee. This shows a willingness to face overwhelming odds. However, his death at the hands of Booth underscores the tragic aspect of his legacy — he is a victim of the same sectional hatred he fought to overcome.
Chronological Arc
Lincoln’s appearances are not sequential within the book’s non-linear structure. The Sorkin address is set in 1863 during the Civil War, while the Ragnarok scene occurs in a timeless, apocalyptic future. This disjointed placement reinforces the theme that historical figures are often removed from their actual timeline and reimagined for symbolic purposes. The real chronological arc — from the Gettysburg Address to his assassination — is collapsed into these two episodes, with the assassination explicitly reenacted in the Ragnarok.
Relationships
In the Sorkin parody, Lincoln’s relationship is primarily with his audience — represented by Stacy — and with the Founders, whom he invokes as models of radical thinking. He also implicitly addresses the soldiers and the nation.
In Ragnarok, Lincoln’s relationships are with his fellow presidents. He fights alongside them but is also isolated by his unique fate. His most significant relationship is with John Wilkes Booth, who appears as an animatronic assassin. The pairing emphasizes the book’s view that a president’s legacy is inextricably linked to those who oppose, betray, or kill them.
Key Decisions and Consequences
In the Sorkin address, the decision to frame the war as a test of equality and to reaffirm the Founders’ proposition is the central rhetorical move. The consequence (in parody) is a speech that becomes both iconic and ridiculous when filtered through modern dramatic conventions.
In Ragnarok, Lincoln’s decision to fight rather than flee leads to his death. The consequence is a reinforcement of his martyrdom: even in a satirical apocalypse, he cannot be saved. This reflects the historical consequence of his assassination — the elevation of his status to near-sainthood, which the book simultaneously honors and undermines.
Theme and Symbol Connections
Lincoln serves as a vehicle for several of the book’s central themes:
- Satire of Historical Authority and Construction: The Sorkin parody demonstrates how historical documents are reinterpreted through contemporary lenses, questioning the stability of any canonical text.
- Myth-Making and Selective Memory: By placing Lincoln in a surreal battle alongside other presidents, the book critiques how we remember only the heroic aspects of figures while ignoring their complexities (though Lincoln himself is treated relatively sympathetically).
- Political Hypocrisy: The gap between the lofty language of equality and the brutal reality of civil war is exposed in the parody’s self-conscious rambling.
- Greed and Exploitation: Less directly, Lincoln’s assassination is tied to the broader narrative of violent struggle over resources and power that runs through the book.
A recurring symbol is the physical body of Lincoln: in Ragnarok, his violent death mirrors the literal breaking of other presidents’ bodies (e.g., Wilson splitting open, Harding melting). This suggests that even the most revered historical figures are subject to the same grotesque decay as their less beloved peers.
5 Book-Specific Questions and Answers
1. How does the Sorkin-style Gettysburg Address portray Lincoln’s speaking style? The parody portrays Lincoln’s style as verbose, dramatic, and self-consciously clever. The speech includes digressions about an 87-year-old man “who loved crackers,” Latin numerals, and a running commentary to Stacy. The style is less about the original brevity and more about modern monologue conventions, suggesting that Lincoln’s actual address would be unrecognizable if delivered by a 21st-century screenwriter.
2. What does the Ragnarok scene reveal about the book’s view of Lincoln’s legacy? The book treats Lincoln’s legacy as heroic but vulnerable. He fights bravely but is killed by Booth, just as in history. The scene implies that even the most respected presidents cannot escape the consequences of their era’s conflicts. His death is portrayed as tragic but also inevitable, part of the cyclical violence of American history.
3. How does Chapter 26 (audience reviews) comment on Lincoln’s assassination? The reviews for Our American Cousin are written as if oblivious to the impending assassination, with characters praising the play’s comedy and noting that the noise could cover a pistol shot. “John B.” gives five stars and notes the play’s structure makes it easy to slip into a box. This satirizes historical myopia: contemporaries were focused on trivial entertainment while a monumental event was unfolding.
4. What is the significance of Lincoln’s hat being debated for the penny in Chapter 61? In the satirical currency-design session, the committee discusses putting Lincoln’s hat on the penny (though they ultimately decide against it). The hat symbolizes Lincoln’s iconic image — it is one of the most recognizable attributes of his presidency. The absurd debate over which denomination should feature it mocks the arbitrary process of presidential mythologizing.
5. How does the book distinguish between historical Lincoln and its satirical version? The book never claims to portray the real Lincoln. It openly uses parody and surrealism — the Sorkin speech is labeled as invented, and the Ragnarok is a fantasy. The satirical version is a tool to critique how modern media, branding, and mythology reshape historical figures. The real Lincoln is implicitly referenced as a baseline, but the text focuses on the constructed Lincoln rather than the man.
For a full understanding of the book’s treatment of presidents and history, see the ending explained and the general questions and answers.