Transcript Letter To His Son

“Letter To His Son”
Claire Kates
&
Courtney Smith
Biography
• Born January 19, 1807
• Gained military experience in the Mexican
War
• Superintendent at West Point
• Offered the command of the Federal Army,
but resigns his military commission
instead.
• Commanded troops of Virginia, then given
the command of the entire Confederate
Army
• “Supreme General”
• Opposed to secession, but would not
invade his native state.
Post Civil War
• Wanted to create a better life within the
Union
• He was “...rejoiced that Slavery was
abolished.”
• Became the President of Washington
College (now Washington and Lee)
• Died October 12, 1870
Historical Significance
• “Letter To His Son” gave the viewpoint of a
famous general before the Civil War
started
• The Union was breaking apart at the time
this letter was written
• Shows that succession saddened Lee
• Many people may believe that the famous
confederate general, Robert E. Lee would
have been all for succession.
• However, “Letter To His Son” clarifies that
Lee was, in fact, in favor of preserving the
Union
• 3 months after this letter was written, Ft.
Sumter was attacked.
Summary
• Lee is saddened by the current state of the
US
• Says the Union is between a state of
anarchy and civil war (chaotic)
• Wants it to be peaceful
• Says the 1st 4 states have already
succeeded, and 4 more (including his
own) are expected to follow
• Believes North has been unfair to South
• Does not want revenge
• Shows Internal Conflict -Takes pride in
his country but feels loyal to his state
• Believes Constitution should be valued
and the Union kept intact
• If South succeeds, no real government
would be established
• War does not entice Lee
• He will mourn for his country, but must
return to his native state
• Will not fight unless for defense
Key Literary Elements
• This work is a literary letter. Lee wrote it
to his son, but it was intended for a wider
audience.
• The internal conflict shown in this letter is
that Lee does not want war or secession
but refuses to take up arms against his
state (Virginia).
• The tone of “Letter to His Son” is one of
resignation and sadness.
Reflection and Shaping of the Times
• Most Authors at the time took a side: for
the North, or for the South
• Lee though, a southerner, tried to bridge
that gap and was not ignorant of the
Union’s side
• Shaped times: May have allowed more
people to see both sides
• God, as well as honor were both important
during this time period and are reflected in
this work
• “May God avert both of these evils from
us.”
• “I am willing to sacrifice everything but
honor for its preservation.”
Why is this important to
American Literature??
• Provides it’s readers with a new insight on
it’s author. Lee demonstrates his love and
loyalty to both his country and his state.
• Many authors at this time were either
Northerners, or Southerners. Lee
(unknowingly) attempted to bridge the gap.