Rhetorical Analysis Of Letter To My Son By John Quincy Adams

Letter to a Son In 1780, Abigail Adams wrote a letter to her son, the future president of the United States, John Quincy Adams, as he traveled overseas with his father, John Adams, also a future president of the United States. Abigail wrote to advise her son to not take for granted all the opportunities he has in front of him. She convinced her son of this advice by portraying her maternal affection for him with compliments, implying a sense of patriotism in her son, and utilizing a metaphor to help stamp her point. Abigail Adams, in the beginning of the letter, reveals her maternal affection for her son in compliments in attempt to convince him that she wants to help him and not force him to work hard. 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.

In this letter, Adams had a soothing tone that makes John know that she is not angry with him, and she is letting him know that she is lucky to have a son who gave her “pleasing hopes” (Adams). throughout their life and informs him that “Nothing is wanting with you but attention, diligence, and steady application” (Adams). to reassure him that he is special and will achieve great success in life. In conclusion, Abigail Adams wrote this passionate letter to her son to offer advice and support before he took on this massive journey traveling around the globe. She wanted to express to her precious son to take on any opportunity that the universe threw at him for he is not the only one with admirable qualities.

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 point is that talents will not improve unless used in situations that, although may be difficult, will improve and open up more opportunities. Despite this letter is written to her son, the point she tries to prove to her son is a philosophy that should be lived by in life. As she says in the letter, “the habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending with difficulties.” The struggles and toils everyone experiences in life are part of the never ending learning process that is required in life. Even though these difficulties may be a pain, your own character and talents will never improve if the these struggles did not

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

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.

Adams writes to her son John many times with her suggestive letters. She writes to her son when he is on a voyage to France on the twelfth of January, 1780. Adams letters to her son are full of advice and persuades opportunity. The first strategy identifies Adams use of making connections because she relates her son to Cicero. “so distinguished an orator if he had not been roused, kindled, and inflamed by the tyranny of Catiline, Verres, and Mark Anthony.” This evidence reveals Adams showing her son that you have to be driven and have a cause to be great someday.

Mama Elena says,”If we die, no one will miss me very much, but won’t the nation mourn your loss” (Esquivel 90). In this part of the book, Mama Elena says she would rather die than let the people in. This is a strong act of motherhood because she is putting her child’s protection above everything. The shotgun is used to symbolize protection and caring about the safety of a child. So with the shotgun, the author shows that caring about a child is a characteristic of being a

Before John Adams became president, he journeyed abroad to explore and discover the world with his son. While, he was away, Abigail Adams, John Quincey Adam’s mother, wrote her son, hoping to convince him to listen to her motherly guidance. This letter from Abigail Adams employs connections and asserts an appeal to ethos to persuade her son to listen to her advice. Throughout the letter, Adams identifies with John Quincey to establish a connection with him and provide advice while he is away. One example of this is Adams’ frequent usage of the doting expression “my son”.

In January of 1780, Abigail Adams wrote a letter to her son John Quincy Adams while he was traveling abroad with his father, John Adams. Throughout the letter Abigail Adams utilizes the Aristotelian appeal pathos to appeal to her son’s emotions, along with a metaphor and an allusion to explain to him how he can grow up to be successful in life to John Quincy through any hardships he may have faced while traveling overseas. Abigail Adams establishes pathos throughout the letter. An example of this is when she adopts a maternal tone. She uses the words “My son” throughout the letter to personalize her writing.