Essay Questions

How does the author demonstrate that one should not judge a book by its cover?

The first time Mary Todd meets Mr. Lincoln, she sees him as an average person without specific qualities that cannot make him a great man. When they first meet, Mr. Lincoln is a young man struggling to make ends meet as a lawyer in Illinois. According to Mary Todd, she only shares political ideologies with Mr. Lincoln. However, after Mary Todd starts dating Mr. Lincoln, she realizes he is a great man. Later in life, they get married, and shortly after, Lincoln becomes the president of the United States of America. Therefore, Mary Todd reflects on her life and concludes judging a book by its cover is inappropriate. For instance, the man she initially considered average was the greatest.

How does the author use symbolism to show the divide tearing America apart?

Mr. Lincoln has to make a tough choice on whether to continue his romanticized relationship with Joshua or marry Mary Todd. As a result, Mary and Joshua symbolize the divide ripping America apart. Before Lincoln became president, there was a debate on whether to abolish slavery or maintain it. Continuing his romanticized relationship with Joshua signifies that Mr. Lincoln is ready to abolish slavery. On the other hand, marrying Mary Todd shows Lincoln's willingness to continue pursuing his conservative political ambitions. Mr. Lincoln makes the toughest choice of marrying Mary Todd while maintaining his romanticized relationship with Joshua. Therefore, when Mr. Lincoln became president, he abolished slavery and preserved his political ideologies.