In context, the author’s primary purpose in the first paragraph (lines 1-12) is to
Responses

show his familiarity with Lincoln’s favorite stories
show his familiarity with Lincoln’s favorite stories

point out different errors that scholars have made
point out different errors that scholars have made

introduce a challenge that his topic poses
introduce a challenge that his topic poses

critique the views of Lincoln’s friends
critique the views of Lincoln’s friends

explain his skepticism regarding the state of the field