Abigail Adams Letter To Her Son Rhetorical Analysis

In her letter to her son, John Quincey Adams, Abigail Adams uses picturesque diction, a supportive tone, and allusions to encourage John Quincey Adams to persevere through his current journey and the ones to come, even when he does not want to. The first noticeable technique that Abigail Adams uses is picturesque diction that develops through her elaborate descriptions of the trials of life. In her letter, she describes the struggles in life as if she was referring to people on a battlefield, flourishing her words with imagery therefore, Abigail Adams portrays her purpose by painting a picture in John Quincey Adams’ head about the victories of justice, wisdom and fortitude. Furthermore, this diction helps her develop symbolism, creating an image of a brave citizen, an ideal that most young men strive for, achieving her purpose to encourage John Quincey Adams to persevere through his strenuous life journey. Abigail Adams statement “ gives me pleasing hopes that you will no swerve from her dictates,” her picturesque diction portrays her purpose in an easily comprehensible way. Alongside the picturesque diction, Abigail Adams uses a supportive tone throughout her letter consequently, she uses this to manipulate John Quincey Adams
She goes on to speak of how “your improvement should bear some proportion to your advantages.” showing how important and beneficial these experiences are building up character and turning John Quincey Adams into a man. Concluding her letter, Abigail Adams places a slight pressure on her son to feel guilty about not wanting to embrace this opportunity. She achieves this through her deliberate wording and her strong emphasis on pathos. Nevertheless, she uses picturesque diction, a supportive tone, and allusions to encourage John Quincey Adams to persevere through the struggles that he is faced with in