Lincoln is often remembered for great speeches, great debates, and great decisions. This week while visiting The Lincolns at Home exhibit at the Allen County Public Library and watching a new documentary about Lincoln’s early life, I was reminded about what a great storyteller he was. The documentary spent considerable time on the stories, jokes and anecdotes that became part of his public life and legend. His stories were not merely entertainment. They were one of the ways he explained complicated ideas and connected with people. They were his mode of communication with the world that he fell back on repeatedly.
His storytelling ability appeared early in his life. According to the documentary, his father also liked to tell stories, and it was a habit Lincoln acquired from him. Long before he became president, Lincoln was developing a reputation as someone who could hold an audience’s attention, whether in a courtroom, a political gathering, or an ordinary conversation. He understood that people often remember a story long after they have forgotten an argument.
Many of Lincoln’s stories were drawn from his own life. Some emphasized his frontier upbringing, his physical labor, or his limited formal education. they helped create an image of Lincoln that people found both relatable and memorable. The stories were effective because they contained truth, even when they simplified a more complicated reality and because they made people laugh at a time when they were becoming more divided in their political beliefs.
As I writer, I was intimidated by his great storytelling at first. I struggled to find my “Lincoln” voice. How could I hope to write about him as well he spoke about himself? I struggled with this so much that it took me twenty years to feel comfortable with it. Now, after getting response to it from locals, I’m more than comfortable, I’m pleased. i think it will give an audience new insight.
Facts are important, but stories are often how people make sense of facts. Lincoln understood that better than most. His ability to frame ideas through narrative became one of his greatest strengths as a lawyer, politician and leader. The exhibit and documentary both reminded me that history is not only preserved through documents and dates. it is also preserved through the stories people tell about themselves and the stories others continue telling long afterward.
Current projects:
- My book: continuing to revise the next chapters
- Edward Bryant: continuing to review stories for future publication
Lincoln was greatly concerned with what he would leave behind. He managed to leave memorable speeches, laws that changed lives, and great stories as well.
Thanks for reading and walking alongside me.
The View From The Imaginarium 