Abigail Adams Rhetorical Analysis

A Mother Doing:
Her Job In January 12, 1780, eight years before the ratification of the constitution. Abigail Adams wrote to her son, John Quincy Adams, the future president of the United States. John Quincy Adams was traveling overseas with his father. His mother having no knowledge that her son will become a President in the future, she writes a letter to convince her son to travel with diligence and learn from his travel. Abigail Adams uses metaphor, flattery and historical allusions which shows that she was just being a mother to support her child for what he is doing. Abigail Adams uses flattery to encourage his son on his expedition. Abigail establishes a connection with him in the letter by using "dear son", this demonstrates that in the opening of the letter she intends to guide him through his journey. She then explains her primary concern and that is his safety and appealing to his emotions so that he will be receptive to her advice. Also she compliments on his skills hoping that he will improve and learn many things. In the passage Abigail says this in the passage " your knowledge of language must give you greater
advantages now than you could possibly have reaped... as you increase in years, you will find your understanding opening and daily improving".(line 11) This quote demonstrates that his language is already really strong but as year passes you will still continue to grow and improve but she believes that John could still improve. Abigail Adam using the "old people are wiser" claim (in line 16) to let him hear out her advices. Abigail Adams uses metaphor to show her son how importance this trip is.
She also encourages him to embark for his journey. She incorporates her explanations into strong and meaningful sentences to show how important this journey is for him. "judicious traveler to a river, that increase its stream the further it flows from its source: or to certain springs , which running through rich veins of minerals, improve their qualities as they pass along"(line 17). This quote demonstrates that she uses the river, that keeps flowing and doesn't stop; as the river keeps flowing it gains new minerals and roots. Therefore he gains more knowledge and experience as he continue his journey. Also she wants to notify him to don't stop in one place, keep moving forward. In addition to that she desire that he will become more diligent and
mature. Abigail Adams employs historical allusion and invokes a sense of patriotism in her son in the letter, in order to let him know that he has responsibilities for his country. "..yet it is your lot, my son, to be an eyewitness of these calamities in your own native land, and, at the same time, to owe your existence among a people who have made a glorious defence of their invaded liberties..." This implies that John has responsibility to defend his native land from intruders and be one of the people that will led this country through the knowledge that he had gained. Historical allusion provides examples to legitimize the point that she made " the habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending with difficulties. The difficulties that she is talking about is about the revolution against Great Britain which led to the birth of a new nation. She encourages her son to conduct his life aiding the country from Great Britain which caused "War, tyranny, and desolation are the scourges of the Almighty, and ought no doubt to be deprecated". This quote demonstrates how important it is for him to change the way he is now to become a better person for the nation. In the closing, Abigail Adam entrusted his future to himself now since she raised him well. She wanted to ensure that he son had a bright future ahead of him and having a great homeland. Also Abigail encourages him to do what is right and follow down the path he has chosen. She wanted him to learn and gain experience from the journey and put them into good use for the country. Dispute the fact that he later became the President of the United State, his mother left her wishes into his hands.