Rhetorical Analysis Of My Dear Son

In life difficulties may arise, but an “instructive eye” of a “tender parent” is a push needed in everyone’s life. Abigail Adams believed, when she wrote a letter to her son, that difficulties are needed to succeed. She offers a motherly hand to her son to not repent his voyage to France and continue down the path he is going. She uses forms of rhetoric like pathos, metaphors, and allusions to give her son a much needed push in his quest to success.
To start off, Abigail Adams appeals to her son’s emotions by starting off the letter with
“my dear son.” By using this introduction, it informs her son that she is being sincere and affectionate towards him. She, also, uses the power of ethos by flattering him with the talents and triumphs he is set with. This is exhibited in the third paragraph when she insists that he is bestowed with “superior advantages.” This flattery persuades and encourages him into continuing his use of the set of advantages he has received. She implies in the paragraph before that there is still always room for improving. Implying that the use of his advantages will result in more “understanding and daily improving.” In addition, she makes him feel guilty for not wanting to expand and

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