Mindy Phan
278716
August 25, 2014
Civil War Journal
Based on Seth Graham-Smith’s
Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter
People of the Civil War
1. Sec. of State William Seward
Because of his prominence and support in the Republican Party, William Seward earned his position as the nation’s Secretary of State from 1861-1869, under Abraham Lincoln. William possessed the trait as an active abolitionist and contributed to the abolishment of slavery. In Maryland, he gave his overt suggestion to Abraham on waiting for a Union victory before passing the Emancipation Proclamation so that the government could “prove their abilities in enforcing the Proclamation” (civilwar.org). By doing so, the Union gained a huge advantage in the war against the Southern states and the equality of men was well on its way because of William’s assistance in Lincoln’s administration. In the novel Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter, William Seward stands as Secretary of State, a prominent position for the protagonist, Abraham Lincoln and his Cabinet. Being highly sufficient for the job, Seward is characterized as being “one of the leading antislavery voices in Congress” and “widely expected to be the Republican presidential nominee in 1860” (Graham-Smith, 225). In the book, Henry directly informs Lincoln on Seward’s ability in vampire hunting and his history on killing the same number of vampires as Lincoln; Lincoln himself “bite[s] his lip to keep his jaw from dropping” (Graham-Smith, 225) after being informed about this fact, meaning even he was shocked to know someone at the level of hunting as him. As a vampire hunter, Seward serves as a metaphor for another passionate abolitionist who advocates for the end of slavery. Although Seward holds strong traits just like the protagonist, he is given the supporter role. At the time when Lincoln receives the nomination for president, Seward still continues to fight the “vampires” with him by gladly taking the offer as Secretary of State, showing a great example of friendship. The story reveals that even though people may battle with one another, they are all battling for the same purpose, and in that time, fighting together as allies will surely allow them to win what they truly desire to achieve. 2. Mary Todd Mary Todd, the wife of the 16th president, is remembered as an intelligent, yet assertive woman. With her passion in politics, she became a great helpmate in Lincoln’s presidency and political career. She vigorously defended Lincoln’s presidential candidacy by “engaging in letter writing campaigns and social events” that positively grew Lincoln’s popularity (history.org). After Lincoln became president, her Southern origin affected her living in the Whitehouse; she experienced suspicion of her loyalty to the Union. Southerners also scorned her with betrayal against her own heritage during the Civil War. Even though she was treated with doubt and hate, she continued to stay by Lincoln’s side until his assassination at Ford’s Theater on April 14th. In Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter, Seth Graham-Smith not only writes about the protagonist, Lincoln, …show more content…
Booth despises the very existence of the protagonist, Lincoln revealed through his assassination of the president at Ford’s Theater. Known as the killer of Abraham Lincoln, he signifies the death of Lincoln as he leaves an ominous feeling around Abe and his bodyguard, Lamon. Booth’s actions of kidnap, threat, and killing also depict the theme of karma because not only do they lead up to the loss of Lincoln, but his own life as well. The story reminds readers that a person brings either good or bad results upon themselves, depending on their actions. In this case, someone who kills will only receive a negative …show more content…
After seceding from the Union, Confederates attacked the fort, demanding the Union to surrender it because the fort was located on their territory. Fort Sumter symbolizes the broken peace between the South and North as they lose their unison as a country and go into war. The Confederate’s rebellion challenged Abraham Lincoln to decide on the starvation of his soldiers as they were low on food supply, or start a war that would bring millions to their deaths. This exemplifies a theme of war as humanity becomes inflicted with suffering during and after Fort Sumter. The story continues to tell it’s readers that conflict only brings pain and misery to those who start it and those who surround themselves in
278716
August 25, 2014
Civil War Journal
Based on Seth Graham-Smith’s
Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter
People of the Civil War
1. Sec. of State William Seward
Because of his prominence and support in the Republican Party, William Seward earned his position as the nation’s Secretary of State from 1861-1869, under Abraham Lincoln. William possessed the trait as an active abolitionist and contributed to the abolishment of slavery. In Maryland, he gave his overt suggestion to Abraham on waiting for a Union victory before passing the Emancipation Proclamation so that the government could “prove their abilities in enforcing the Proclamation” (civilwar.org). By doing so, the Union gained a huge advantage in the war against the Southern states and the equality of men was well on its way because of William’s assistance in Lincoln’s administration. In the novel Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter, William Seward stands as Secretary of State, a prominent position for the protagonist, Abraham Lincoln and his Cabinet. Being highly sufficient for the job, Seward is characterized as being “one of the leading antislavery voices in Congress” and “widely expected to be the Republican presidential nominee in 1860” (Graham-Smith, 225). In the book, Henry directly informs Lincoln on Seward’s ability in vampire hunting and his history on killing the same number of vampires as Lincoln; Lincoln himself “bite[s] his lip to keep his jaw from dropping” (Graham-Smith, 225) after being informed about this fact, meaning even he was shocked to know someone at the level of hunting as him. As a vampire hunter, Seward serves as a metaphor for another passionate abolitionist who advocates for the end of slavery. Although Seward holds strong traits just like the protagonist, he is given the supporter role. At the time when Lincoln receives the nomination for president, Seward still continues to fight the “vampires” with him by gladly taking the offer as Secretary of State, showing a great example of friendship. The story reveals that even though people may battle with one another, they are all battling for the same purpose, and in that time, fighting together as allies will surely allow them to win what they truly desire to achieve. 2. Mary Todd Mary Todd, the wife of the 16th president, is remembered as an intelligent, yet assertive woman. With her passion in politics, she became a great helpmate in Lincoln’s presidency and political career. She vigorously defended Lincoln’s presidential candidacy by “engaging in letter writing campaigns and social events” that positively grew Lincoln’s popularity (history.org). After Lincoln became president, her Southern origin affected her living in the Whitehouse; she experienced suspicion of her loyalty to the Union. Southerners also scorned her with betrayal against her own heritage during the Civil War. Even though she was treated with doubt and hate, she continued to stay by Lincoln’s side until his assassination at Ford’s Theater on April 14th. In Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter, Seth Graham-Smith not only writes about the protagonist, Lincoln, …show more content…
Booth despises the very existence of the protagonist, Lincoln revealed through his assassination of the president at Ford’s Theater. Known as the killer of Abraham Lincoln, he signifies the death of Lincoln as he leaves an ominous feeling around Abe and his bodyguard, Lamon. Booth’s actions of kidnap, threat, and killing also depict the theme of karma because not only do they lead up to the loss of Lincoln, but his own life as well. The story reminds readers that a person brings either good or bad results upon themselves, depending on their actions. In this case, someone who kills will only receive a negative …show more content…
After seceding from the Union, Confederates attacked the fort, demanding the Union to surrender it because the fort was located on their territory. Fort Sumter symbolizes the broken peace between the South and North as they lose their unison as a country and go into war. The Confederate’s rebellion challenged Abraham Lincoln to decide on the starvation of his soldiers as they were low on food supply, or start a war that would bring millions to their deaths. This exemplifies a theme of war as humanity becomes inflicted with suffering during and after Fort Sumter. The story continues to tell it’s readers that conflict only brings pain and misery to those who start it and those who surround themselves in