the ideals of liberty and equality Liberty and equality were promised to all citizens during the founding of the United States in By using this metaphor Lincoln reminds the audience of these noble ideals upon which the country was built Death Reflects the Sacrifices of Soldiers Lincoln uses death to represent the massive loss of life of the warriors during the Civil War particularly in the Battle of Gettysburg The Battle of Gettysburg lasted three days and took over casualties on both sides combined Lincoln gave this speech on November during a ceremony to dedicate a cemetery for soldiers who died in the Battle of Gettysburg This battle fought in July was one of the deadliest of the American Civil War Lincoln honors these sacrifices by stating We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live In Lincoln s speech death becomes a metaphor for the larger struggle of the countrymen to preserve freedom and equality for all citizens Rebirth Symbolizes Hope and Renewal By the idea of rebirth Lincoln refers to the nation's opportunity for renewal and restoration He calls for a new birth of freedom He encourages the audience to dedicate themselves to ensure that the sacrifices of the death are not in vain This rebirth symbolizes a renewed commitment to the principles of equality and democracy It reflects Lincoln s vision of a stronger more united nation that emerges from the struggles of war Birth Death and Rebirth The metaphorical expressions of birth death and rebirth are used to show the cyclical nature of the nation's history The nation s birth established its ideals of liberty and equality the death of soldiers tested its strength the promise of rebirth offers hope for its future Lincoln concludes his speech with hope for the future That this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom In conclusion the metaphors of birth death and rebirth connect the nation's past present and future Lincoln uses these expressions to remind the audience of the country s founding ideals honor the sacrifices of those who died and inspire a renewed dedication to freedom and equality