Robert E. Sherwood's "Abe Lincoln in Illinois" offers a nuanced portrayal of Abraham Lincoln, tracing his evolution from an unassuming individual to a pivotal figure in American history. The play, which earned Sherwood the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1939, is based on Carl Sandburg's biography "Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years." It covers Lincoln's life from his childhood through his departure from Illinois for Washington, focusing on his personal
struggles, political awakening, and relationships. Rather than presenting a mythologized hero, Sherwood delves into Lincoln's complexities, showcasing his doubts, ambitions, and the profound influences that shaped him.
Lincoln's Journey: From Backwoodsman to Champion
The play depicts Lincoln's transformation from an "unambitious backwoodsman" to a "champion of freedom." This evolution is central to the narrative, which relies on the audience's awareness of Lincoln's future presidency to color the portrayal of his character. Sherwood's Lincoln is not a saint or a fount of wisdom, but a humble man of ideas who constantly questions himself and his capacity to make a difference. He is shown to be haunted by premonitions of death and disaster, which foreshadow the bloodshed of the American Civil War and his own assassination.While much of the dialogue is Sherwood's creation, the play incorporates some of Lincoln's own words, lending authenticity to his character. The narrative begins in New Salem, Illinois, in the 1830s, moves to Springfield in the 1840s, and concludes in Act III in Springfield between 1858 and 1861. This chronological progression allows the audience to witness the gradual development of Lincoln's character as he navigates personal tragedies and political challenges.
Key Relationships and Their Impact
Lincoln's relationships with the women in his life, Ann Rutledge and Mary Todd, are central to understanding his character. Ann Rutledge, portrayed as the first great love of his life, is depicted through Lincoln's eyes as a selfless yet ultimately unattainable embodiment of female perfection. Her death profoundly impacts Lincoln, leading him to declare, "I have to die and be with her again, or I'll go crazy!" This emotional depth highlights Lincoln's capacity for profound love and grief.In contrast, his wife Mary Todd is portrayed with an increasingly sharp edge, foreshadowing her eventual descent into insanity. This depiction adds a layer of complexity to Lincoln's personal life, showing the challenges he faced within his marriage. The play also features Stephen A. Douglas, Lincoln's political opponent in 1858, who is presented not as a villain but as an adept politician. This balanced portrayal of Douglas underscores the political landscape and the intellectual rigor of their debates, which are also covered in the play.
Thematic Depth and Historical Context
Sherwood's play is not merely a biographical account but also a commentary on contemporary issues. Written in the lead-up to the Second World War, it served as a "riposte to isolationist sentiment" in the United States. Sherwood, who had fought in the First World War and was disappointed by its outcome, used Lincoln's story to emphasize the necessity of overcoming laissez-faire attitudes and taking firm political action for the public good. Raymond Massey, who played Lincoln, noted the play's contemporary relevance, suggesting that substituting "dictatorship" for "slavery" in the script made its meaning "electric for our time."The play's opening scene in Act I depicts New Salem's schoolmaster teaching grammar to Lincoln, encouraging his appreciation for poetry and oratory. Lincoln reflects on his failures as a businessman, his fear of city people, and the death of his mother, expressing his appreciation for John Keats's poem "On Death." These early scenes establish Lincoln's intellectual curiosity and his introspective nature, laying the groundwork for the complex leader he would become.
