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Rhetorical Analysis Of Abigail Adams Letter

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In Abigail Adams letter to her son(1780) John Quincy Adams who later became president, she concedes in a remorseful yet unapologetic tone that she would not have urged him to go this trip again if it was not in his benefit. Adams didn’t think his “reluctance” was thought out well, she sends him knowing he didn’t want to go and the that there was the untold danger he could face because she knows how important it is for him to go on this voyage. Adams uses logos and foreshadowing to advise her son that his trip was not in vain. Abigail Adams has an overall motherly tone where she starts her intro with a hint of remorse because she sent her son on a trip which he did not want to go to and there’s a possibility of encountering “enemies or dangers of the sea”. She is writing this letter while her son is on the trip knowing he’ll read this when he arrives, …show more content…

She then says that all he has to do is give his “attention, diligence and steady nature” because it’s is “expected” that he succeeds. He has “superior advantages “ because his father is there with him really just painting him a picture that nothing is against him. She then says he's as smart as Cicero then says ‘habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending with difficulties”. Not only is she instilling self-esteem in her son but proving her point by comparing him to a “genius” and telling him that difficulties are expected but it will only make him smarter. She then reminds him what his country has faced by mentioning “war, tyranny”, calling him to arms as well as setting a patriotic tone. Adams appeals to the “almighty” saying his “scourages” and are better not be ignored. By saying this Adams inforces her call to action she then also says that it “will transmit this inheritance to ages yet unborn” meaning also change the

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