ABRAHAM LINCOLNS

LETTER TO HIS SONS

TEACHER.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

Abraham Lincoln is regarded as one of America's greatest heroes due to both his
incredible impact on the nation and his unique appeal.

Abraham Lincoln was born in a log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky to Thomas
Lincoln and Nancy Hanks Lincoln.

The couple had two other children: Abraham's older sister Sarah and younger brother
Thomas, who died in infancy.

When young Abraham was 9 years old his mother died at age 34 and the event was
devastating on him. The 9-year-old Abraham grew more alienated from his father.

A few months after Nancy's death, Thomas married Sarah Bush Johnston, a Kentucky
widow with three children of her own and Abraham quickly bonded with her.

Though both his parents were most likely illiterate, Sarah encouraged Abraham to read,
he received his formal educationan estimated total of 18 monthsa few days or
weeks at a time.

Neighbors recalled how Abraham would walk for miles to borrow a book since, reading
material was in short supply in the Indiana wilderness.

BACKGROUND OF POEM.

Every father wants his child to get the best education so that the child may
one day grow up to be a successful person. But then, everybody have their
own perception of success.

Abraham Lincoln, former President of the United States of America, wrote

a letter to a teacher who used to teach his son in school. In this Letter,
Lincoln is asking his sons teacher to teach certain things to make his son a
good citizen and he hopes he will turn to be a nice citizen with the learning
he is going to receive.

This poem also beautifully tells the importance of a teacher in the character
formation of a student.

SUMMARY

Abraham Lincoln says, his son has to know that all men are not the same and
all men are not true. But, behind every scoundrel there is a hero; behind
every selfish politician there is a dedicated leader; and behind every enemy
there is a true friend.

Lincoln wants the teacher to drive his son away from envy and teach him the
secret of quiet laughter.

His son should know that the bullies are the easiest to defeat. He should
know the value of books but should not turn into a bookworm, he should
also think about the mysteries and wonders of nature--the birds in the sky, the
bees in the sun and the flowers on a green hillside and learn from the nature.

The teacher should teach him that it is more honourable to fail than cheat. He
should have faith in his own ideas, even everyone tell him that he is wrong.
He should learn to be gentle with gentle people and tough with tough people.

The teacher should try to give the boy the strength not to follow the crowd.
He should be taught to listen to all men, but he should learn to differentiate
truth from falsehood and take only the good.

SUMMARY (CONTN.)

He should be taught to laugh when he is sad and let him know that there is
no shame in tears. He should be taught to laugh at the cynics and to be
careful about people who show too much sweetness. He should sell his
physical strength and brain to the one who pays most. But, he should never
sell his heart and soul for a price.

He should close his ears to the yelling mob and should stand and fight if he
thinks its right to do so. Lincoln wants the teacher to treat his son gently
but never pamper him because only the test of fire makes fine steel which
means if he does not face the truth and difficulties now then he will not be a
good leader.

He should be taught to have the courage to be impatient. He should also

learn to have patience to be brave. He should have faith in himself because
only then he will have faith in mankind.

In the last stanza Lincoln says that he knows that he has given the teacher a
big task. But the teacher should do what he can and expresses his love for
his son by saying He is such a fine little fellow, my son!

http://www.biography.com/people/abraham-lincoln-9382
540/videos/abraham-lincoln-the-emancipation-proclama
tion-34010750

THANK YOU,
Presented By,
Group 10.
Members:
Shwetank Deep
Nipun Parashar
Ayush Dixit
S.Dharmendran
Mangala.S