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Abigail Adams Letter To Her Son Rhetorical Analysis

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The newly established land of America was attempting to break away from the mother country, England, to become the independent land that we know as the United States. The letter by Abigail Adam was written to her beloved son whom was traveling abroad with his father. Throughout the letter, Adams uses inspiring diction, allusions to historical figures, and well timed metaphors to encourage her son to be resilient and not shy away from any challenges that may face him. In the letter, Adams compares her son to other great leaders using allusions and metaphors. She asks her son rhetorically if Cicero would have been such a great leader had he not been "roused, kindled and inflamed." Here, Adams is explaining that to become a great leader, one must go through great trials. Also, Adams compares her son to …show more content…

Adams uses a metaphor from another author that compares a "judicious traveler to a river." Here, Adams both establishes credibility for herself and advises her son to gain knowledge from his experiences much like a river gains as it flows. Credibility is established by demonstrating that others have the same values as she. The metaphor itself tells her son to be diligent along the way and pick up information. Adam says that "as you increase in years, you will find your understanding and daily improving." This predicts that as her son grows older, his knowledge will help him be open and a better man. Her wish is for him continue his education and never grow tired of learning new. Additionally, Adams also uses that encouraging diction when she says "wisdom and penetration are the fruits of experience, not the lessons of retirement." Adams is able to contrast that wisdom and ambition comes from experience, not laziness. Here, she can tell her son to be ambitious now so he can be wise in the

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