The Annotated Edition
This brief verse paints a portrait of Abraham Lincoln as a man of unique balance: kind and approachable on the surface, yet strong and steadfast beneath.
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§01Quick summary
§02Themes
§03Line by line
Lincoln's character was his kindly, almost femininely gentle and sympathetic spirit.
Editor's note
Lowell begins by highlighting Lincoln's most notable trait: a warmth and tenderness he refers to as "femininely gentle." This was a daring compliment in the 19th century, as softness in a leader was frequently perceived as a flaw. Lowell challenges that notion — the gentleness is the *first* quality to mention, rather than something to be downplayed or justified.
With this, however, was combined a determination of steel.
Editor's note
The pivot is sharp and intentional. That tenderness didn't stand alone—it was combined with unwavering resolve. "Determination of steel" is a classic Lowell touch: straightforward, tangible, and clear. The contrast between softness and steel encapsulates the entire argument of the piece in a nutshell.
Nothing of Europe here: There was nothing of Europe in him,
Editor's note
Lowell now zooms out to present a broader perspective on Lincoln's identity. He wasn't influenced by European traditions of hierarchy, deference, or inherited rank. This statement serves as a declaration — a clear break from the Old World and all it represented.
or, if anything, it was of Europe in her early ages of freedom before there was any distinction of slave and master,
Editor's note
Lowell carefully qualifies his claim. If Lincoln possessed *any* European quality, it came from a mythic, pre-hierarchical Europe — an era before the structures of class and bondage were established. This allows Lowell to commend Lincoln without entirely dismissing European civilization; he critiques its corruptions, not its foundational ideals.
groveling Russian Serf and noble Lord or Peer.
Editor's note
The passage concludes with two opposing figures — the serf and the lord — symbolizing the dual degradations of a class system: one oppressed, one undeservedly elevated. By specifically naming the Russian serf, Lowell highlights the starkest example of European subjugation for his readers. The poem asserts that Lincoln emerged from a world where neither figure was present.
§04Tone & mood
§05Symbols & metaphors
§06Historical context
§07FAQ
He's making a clear point about strength. In the 1800s, calling a powerful man "gentle" could easily come off as an insult. Lowell embraces this idea, arguing that Lincoln's warmth and empathy were strengths, not weaknesses. By using the word "femininely," he emphasizes that this gentleness was real and profound — not just a political act.
Lowell is presenting a cultural argument: Lincoln wasn’t influenced by the European tradition of rigid social hierarchies, where your birth dictated your value. He was raised in a society free from lords and serfs, which shaped his instinct to treat people as equals. Essentially, this suggests that Lincoln was genuinely, uniquely American.
It shows that Lincoln had a strong inner determination. Even though he was kind in his interactions, he stood firm when it counted. Lowell chooses steel because it's tough, dependable, and resistant to corrosion — the very traits he connects to Lincoln's will.
Because Russian serfdom was a clear and striking example of total human oppression for Lowell's readers. Russia freed its serfs in 1861 — the same year the American Civil War began — making the comparison between serfs and enslaved Americans particularly relevant. Mentioning the Russian serf highlighted the contrast with Lincoln's commitment to equality.
It sits in between. Lowell wrote in a vibrant, rhythmic style that often feels like poetry, and this passage captures the essence and imagery of verse even without a fixed meter or rhyme. It’s best seen as a prose poem or a lyric essay—a form Lowell frequently employed in his critical and commemorative works.
He's picturing a legendary, pre-feudal Europe, one without kings, nobles, and serfs restricting people's social roles. This approach allows him to suggest that if Lincoln had any connection to Europe, it came from that earlier, more liberated era — not from the Europe dominated by aristocrats and peasants.
That Lincoln embodied a remarkable blend of opposites — he was both gentle and iron-willed, warm and resolute — and this unique combination stemmed from a truly American character free from the constraints of Old World hierarchies. Lowell suggests that Lincoln was more than just a great president; he demonstrated that a new kind of human being could exist.
Citation
MLA
Lowell, James Russell. "Supple-tempered will: One of the most pronounced traits of." Storgy, https://storgy.com/poems/supple-tempered-will-one-of-the-most-pronounced-traits-of-james-russell-lowell/.
APA
Lowell, J. R. (n.d.). Supple-tempered will: one of the most pronounced traits of. Storgy. https://storgy.com/poems/supple-tempered-will-one-of-the-most-pronounced-traits-of-james-russell-lowell/
Teaching materials and reference tools prepared for this poem.
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