Rhetorical Analysis Of Abagail Adams Letter To Her Son

Abigail Adams, the First Lady of the United States of America during the presidency of John Adams, often wrote letters to her beloved son, John Quincy Adams. At the time, John Quincy Adams was planning to travel around the world so his mother decided to write him a letter filled with sympathy, telling her son how much she appreciates his qualities and prestige. This particular letter contained pathos, an anecdote, and also tone to proficiently aid Abigail Adams get her rhetorically appealing message across to the mind of her son. Adams began with telling John Q Adams her opinion about him embarking on this journey and then proceeded to emphasize her worries as he is traveling. Adams used pathos to make John know how much she cares and worries about him.

An example of allusion is when Adams compares Cicero and the challenges he overcame to become a strong leader to her son, and how he could do the same. "Would Cicero have shone so distinguished an orator if he had not been roused, kindled, an enflamed by the tyranny of Catiline, Verres, and Mark Anthony?" She uses this allusion to prove to her son that he could be a strong, powerful leader. Adams encourages John Quincy that challenges are not a setback, and assures him that if he continues to push through the hard times he can get where he wants to be in

She opens the letter with “MY DEAR SON” (1), in order to show John that she cares for him and has no intention of insulting him. She then moves to inform him that he is “favored with superior advantages” (1), explaining that he has talents and should utilize them to his best ability. These compliments describe her maternal affection for her son and that she wants the best for him. These also make him feel a sense of guilt for possibly not living up to his highest potential, and will convince him to live up to his highest

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."

Her letter to John Quincy Adams, her son shows the affection she has for her son. She writes formally and personally to get her point across yet, still making it clear that her son has a support from his loving family to help guide him through any adversities that may be thrown his way. Through her rhetoric Abigail Adams is able to show the perfect balance a mother must have in guiding her son towards the direction best for him, while maintaining logical and emotional

Every mother wants what the best for her child, even if that child may not believe so. In her letter to her son, John Quincy Adams, Abigail Adams addresses him during his travels in France and defends the rationale of her previous advice while providing her new advice, and partly demands, on the subjects of honor and duty. Abigail Adams uses emotional appeals in the form of personal repetition, flattering metaphors, and prideful personification in order to advise and persuade her son in his personal growth and appeal to his personal qualities, such as pride of honesty and knowledge, to spur his ambitions and actions. To start off the letter, after greeting him and explaining the occasion of her writing, Abigail uses personal repetition with the word “your,” before qualities and events with a positive connotation to appeal to John’s pride and leave him open to listen to more of her her advice, as she already successfully advised him in his trip to France. In only the second sentence of the letter, Abigail already throws in that her advice is, to John, “for your own benefit,” (5) later she speaks of, once again to John, “your knowledge,” (11) and finally, “your understanding,” (14).

Adams establishes authority by using pathos throughout her letter. She uses this rhetorical strategy to connect with her son and show affection. Throughout her letter Adams says "My son". She states this multiple times to clarify that this letter is not to scold him but to guide and inform him. By Adams continually emphasizing support for her son,

This brings us back to Frankenstein, Victor 's relationship with his parents friend, and Elizabeth translated by good words, Shelley uses quotes to emphasize the importance of human relationships (especially, family 's relationship) and how important they are to a person 's well-being “My children, my firmest hopes of future happiness were placed on the prospect of your union. This expectation will now be the consolation of your father. Elizabeth, my love, you must supply my place to my younger children. Alas! I regret that I am taken from you; and, happy and beloved as I have been, is it not hard to quit you all?

Wells also employs dialogue in the scene. When building the foundation, Jeanette mentions her father’s words, “”No point in building a good house unless you put down the right foundation” (Walls 155). This use of dialogue shows how Jeanette admires her father, as she acts upon words he said. The dialogue also conveys a hopeful message. It shows Jeanette believes she and her father share the same dream.

Throughout the letter, the author Abigail Adams writes to her son John Quincy Adams, who is traveling abroad with his father, John Adams, a U.S diplomat and country 's second president. This is all occurring between 1744-1818. Abigail inserts emotion throughout the letter, allusion, and flattery to persuade her son to become president. In addition, she strongly thinks her son is capable to become president and emphasizes how beneficial it would be for the country if he becomes president. Adams explains ways to emphasize the importance of becoming president.