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Rhetorical Analysis Of Abigail Adams Letter To Her Son

655 Words3 Pages

Rodriguez, Fabiola
Heaney, Period 6
AP English Language
19 December 2022

Q2 Rhetorical Analysis

The bond between a mother and her child is famously incomparable. The inherent nature of their relationship is loving, and often full of advice. In Abigail Adams’ motivational letter to her son John Quincy Adams (1780), she encourages him to take the time to improve his capacity to achieve in life. By providing anecdotes of her own personal experiences with other people, referencing famous historical figures, and evoking feelings of pride, Adams urges her son to make his parents proud by honoring the United States. Primarily, Adams recounts a meeting she had with an author. She incorporates a striking metaphor the author used that stuck with her, comparing a “judicious traveller” to a river, constantly increasing its stream and building its qualities the “further it flows from its source” (lines 17-18). By including this conversation, Adams places her son into the metaphor, assigning him the role of the traveller. Adams desires for …show more content…

She continuously reminds him that his parents are watching him, encouraging him to render them “supremely happy” (line 62). Not only does Adams remind her son that she is watching him, but she also brings religion into the discussion. In line 48, Adams describes “the blessing of Heaven.” This mention of spirituality offers another form of encouragement to Adams’ son, one less prominent but with the power to be infinitely more motivating, as religion is personal to individuals. Adams also consistently speaks of honoring the United States, evoking her son's patriotism that undoubtedly existed, with his father being a United States diplomat and former president. By using various forms of motivation, Adams guarantees that one of them will strike her son and provide him the strength to carry

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