Lincoln in the Bardo

Hans and Roger observe Abraham Lincoln. They describe him as “windswept,” “doom-minded,” “curious,” “like stepping into a summer barn late at night” (147). From inside his mind, they watch Lincoln as he remembers a young girl he was once attracted to, and then catches himself, embarrassed to have such a memory in such a sad place and time.

Roger and Hans follow as Lincoln’s thoughts turn to Willie. Lincoln fondly recalls Willie’s first suit fitting, then decries the world that could take his son away from him. He hopes never to inflict this pain on others but then realizes something he’d rather suppress—by conducting the Civil War, he is in fact responsible for the deaths of many sons.

Historical records paint a bleak picture of the Civil War at this time. On the day Willie is buried, the longest list of war casualties to date is published. The names of the thousand men who died during that battle show the country that the Civil War is real and brutal. Some Americans blame President Lincoln and ask how many more must die for his cause.