Question 2- Abigail Adams

Abigail Adams wrote a letter to her son, the second President of the United States John Quincy Adams, who is traveling with his father and a diplomat. John Adams seems ambitious from the letter and his mother seems a bit worried about him traveling overseas. The letter has, at first, a skeptical tone which later on turns to a more motherly mood. Abigail also uses blandishment to appeal to her son through emotions. Metaphors also play a role in the rhetorical devices Adam uses in her writing all in order to make sure that John returns home safe as she expects.

            The beginning portion of the letter shows the skeptical tone Abigail portrays in order for her son to realize she has a sense of remorse. For example, the sentence on line three, “If I had thought…” shows how she feels guilty by sending her son to the voyage. She then, obviously expresses her skepticism of him leaving to a different country in that same sentence. From then on, the tone changes a bit to her being gentle and giving compliments to her son, as a mother should. In lines 21 and 43, Adams uses the phrase “my son” to convey her motherly love and remind him that he is cared for and missed at home.

            The letter is sprinkled with flattery and compliments to appeal to John Quincy Adams. Abigail uses this for one major reason: to remind John that he carries advantages that will help him on the journey. On the second paragraph, Abigail states that John does have “knowledge of the language” allowing him to have a benefit toward the country he will be visiting. As well as in line 24 Abigail states what is expected of him on the voyage. This reassures him that he does carry around perks that will help him. The fourth paragraph compares him to Cicero. These examples show how Abigail cares for her son and now comforts him on his journey as well as supports it.

            Metaphors are found on many lines in order to give a philosophical appeal towards her son. These metaphors are generally used to convince John that he still has much to learn. The first example would be “the stream of river” mentioned in the third paragraph. The river represents a traveler, John, and as it flows it runs through rich veins of minerals to improve its qualities. The minerals represent the experience or ideas that John will have on his voyage which will later on enhance his mind and way of life. On line 35 “the fruit of experience” is mentioned to also show how Adams isn’t done absorbing knowledge at all. The following sentences quickly express how John has to face problems and experiences to become a better and matured person.

            Abigail Adam uses a motherly yet skeptical tone in her letter as well as flattery, and metaphors. These rhetorical devices are used to show Abigail’s worrisome, support, and proudness of her son all done expertly. In the end of the letter a small theme is hinted at, and that theme is hope.