What does this quote mean: "Why is this thus? And what is the reason for this thusness?

Question

In the movie 'Lincoln', Abraham Lincoln portrayed by Daniel Day-Lewis says this to Representative Ashley:

"Why for instance is this thus, and what is the reason for this thusness."

What does that even mean?

Dave Marnatti · Answer

Lincoln was re-quoting Artemus Ward.  James Joyce does it too (with paraphrase), in 'Portrait of the Artist': "if it is thus, I ask emphatically whence comes this thusness."

fev · Answer

Merriam-Webster simply defines thusness as

the condition of being thus

So in his rhetorical way of speaking, Lincoln meant:

Why is this (situation) thus (in such a state), and what is the reason for this thusness (for this state).

What does this quote mean: "Why is this thus? And what is the reason for this thusness?

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