Killing Lincoln

The narrative begins by stating that Lincoln only has six weeks to live. He’s in the process of being sworn in for his second term in office and gives a great oratorical speech, which cuts through the drunken, hate-filled speech just given by Vice President Andrew Johnson. The Civil War still rages on, and the North, including Johnson, wish for the South to be held accountable via draconian punishment for their rebellion. Lincoln’s speech is more about forgiveness, “with malice toward none” (3). Yet his charm doesn’t appeal to everyone. John Wilkes Booth, who stands a few feet away from the president, seethes in anger as he listens to Lincoln’s speech. Although Booth stands weaponless with his fiancée Lucy Hale among a crowd of Lincoln’s admirers, he lunges at Lincoln as the president walks by. A policeman restrains Booth, who gives the lie that he merely stumbled. The author notes that in the same way that Lincoln is not done with his plans for reunifying the nation, Booth isn’t done with his plans to harm Lincoln.