Twenty Years at Hull House · Chapter
Influence of Lincoln explained
Jane Addams reflects on Abraham Lincoln's profound influence on her thinking and the settlement movement.
What happens
Jane Addams reflects on Abraham Lincoln's profound influence on her thinking and the settlement movement. She recounts a visit to Oxford where she struggled to reconcile English settlement ideals with American democratic experience, finding clarity through Edward Caird's interpretation of Lincoln. The chapter explores Lincoln's role in legitimizing democracy and the importance of retaining past experiences, illustrated by a childhood memory of her father honoring a pioneer woman. Addams concludes by describing how she used Lincoln's example to teach immigrant children at Hull House to value their heritage.
Themes in this chapter
Democracy and Civic Engagement
Lincoln is portrayed as the figure who 'cleared the title to our democracy,' emphasizing the value of democratic government and civic participation.
Immigration and Cultural Assimilation
Addams uses Lincoln's example to teach immigrant children to value their past while integrating into American society.
Education and Self-Improvement
The chapter discusses the importance of learning from past experiences and the role of education in personal and social growth.
Characters to notice
- Jane Addams
Narrator; reflects on Lincoln's influence and her Oxford visit.
- Abraham Lincoln
Central figure; his example of retaining past experiences and clarifying democracy is explored.
- Count Tolstoy
Mentioned in context of Lincoln's birthday talk at Hull House.
- Julia C. Lathrop
Referenced as part of the Hull House circle.
- Florence Kelley
Mentioned in the context of Hull House activities.
Key passages
“the processes by which so simple a conclusion as residence among the poor in East London was reached, seemed to me very involved and roundabout.”
Addams found the English path to living among the poor to be overly complex compared to the American pioneer experience.
Reflects her struggle to reconcile English and American approaches to social reform.
“the memory of Lincoln, the mention of his name, came like a refreshing breeze from off the prairie, blowing aside all the scholarly implications in which I had become so reluctantly involved.”
Thinking of Lincoln cleared away Addams's intellectual confusion and connected her to a simpler, moral purpose.
Highlights Lincoln's role as a grounding influence.
“Is it not Abraham Lincoln who has cleared the title to our democracy?”
Lincoln is credited with securing and legitimizing American democracy.
Central theme of the chapter.
“I was at that time reading with great enthusiasm Carlyle's Heroes and Hero Worship, but on the evening of 'Old Settlers' Day,' to my surprise, I found it difficult to go on.”
After witnessing her father honor a pioneer woman, Addams lost interest in Carlyle's focus on individual heroes.
Shows her shift toward valuing collective, democratic contributions.