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This question has two parts. Answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.
Few phrases throughout American history have been as influential as these six profound words: “United we stand, divided we fall.” It is with this sentiment that our country was forged, piece by piece, state by state, into becoming a unified nation. The power of this phrase stretches much farther than politics or nationalism and has affected many different groups in the same way—by bringing people together in times of need, peril, or strife. To better understand this powerful and influential phrase, one must examine its origin in the fables of Aesop, along with its vast impact on American politics and pop culture.
Aesop is attributed as the original author of the phrase “united we stand, divided we fall.” In his fable “The Four Oxen and the Lion,” a lion stalks a group of oxen. The oxen stay clustered together, with tails pointed toward each other, and their horns pointed outward as protection from the lion’s aggression. After an argument, the oxen separate, and the lion attacks them one by one. The moral of the fable is that we are stronger together and safer from our foes when we present a united front—united we stand, divided we fall. One would be wrong to think this was Aesop’s only fable on the theme of strength in unity. He reiterated the sentiment in the lesser known story “Bundle of Sticks,” where a father has his sons try to break a bundle of sticks. When they are unable to break the bundle, he has each son break a single stick individually. His lesson was that the sons, like the sticks, were unbreakable as a group, but vulnerable on their own. Clearly, any individual act can be less effective than a group effort.
“United we stand, divided we fall,” is such a powerful phrase, that it’s easy to understand why it has found its way into so many important political arenas. During his last speech, Patrick Henry declared, “Let us trust God, and our better judgment to set us right hereafter. United we stand, divided we fall. Let us not split into factions which must destroy that union upon which our existence hangs.” Abraham Lincoln, inspired by Aesop’s important message of unity and strength in togetherness, proclaimed, “A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved—I do not expect the house to fall—but I do expect it will cease to be divided.” As it can be seen, these sentiments have the ability to reach everyone across the nation, and have therefore become one of the most popular ways for politicians to express their belief in the power and importance of unity for the nation’s prosperity.
“United we stand, divided we fall” is so universal that it has even permeated pop culture. The phrase is as familiar to most Americans as their own middle name. Variations can be heard in classic rock songs and best-selling books. With the magnitude of references throughout the music and literature of pop culture, it’s easy to imagine how one might think the phrase originated in pop culture; however, neither rock and roll nor young adult novels can be accredited as the source of the historical phrase.
The theme of strength in unity and of vulnerability in division resonates with everyone. It is no wonder, then, that it has permeated every facet of American politics and pop culture. Aesop’s line, “united we stand, divided we fall” is one of the most influential phrases in the history of democracy; every American has been touched by these words in one way or another. It is with this simple yet impactful phrase that people throughout American history have chosen to express their belief in the importance of coming together—and standing united.
