Grant and Lee a Study in Contracts Term Paper

Grant and Lee: A Study in Contracts

Why do the differences between Grant and Lee receive more extended treatment than the similarities? Why are the similarities discussed last?

The United States, at Appomattox, had just suffered a profound rend in its history because of the Civil War, culturally and personally. For the duration of the war, the nation's regional and political differences rather than its similarities had come to the forefront. The personages, political views, and upbringings of Grant and Lee are used to emphasize this, as "they were two strong men these oddly different generals, and they represented the strengths of two conflicting currents that through them, had come into final collision.As North and South was in contrast, so the generals at the head of the army represented this contrast. But ultimately, these generals were forced to come to peace, and thus their similarities are discussed at the end, in symbolic parallel of this peace.

How would you characterize Catton's attitude towards the two men? Refer to specific parts of the essay when answering.

The emphasis of Catton's essay is to highlight how both generals embodied the….....