John Quincy Adams, the fourth president of the United States, was not born with the capabilities to run a country. Of course, he had much advice from his father, John Adams, the second president of the United States, and first lady, Abigail Adams. On his journey of diplomacy, Abigail Adams sent Quincy Adams a letter expressing her concerns and wishes to her son. Throughout her letter, Abigail Adams uses many rhetorical devices to convey her political concernment to her son. ` From reading this letter, the tone of this letter is professional. Abigail expresses a more political concern for what is better for the country rather than a emotional concern for what is best for her son. Abigail states, “your knowledge of the language must give you …show more content…
Mrs. Adams uses allusions to assist her point that “a genius would wish to live.” She cites Cicero, Catiline, Verres, and Mark Antony, all powerful leaders of the past that would not have been successful as they were if it was not for the rough times ahead of them. This allusion also gives Quincy Adams the anticipation of a bright and fortunate future. Being compared to these all-powerful leaders helps lessen Quincy Adams incompetence and any doubt that she might be having as is time to run for office approaches. Abigail Adams also wrote the letter in first person. Of course, this is a letter to her son so it would make sense for the letter to be in first person. Writing in first person deviates from the political motives behind this letter, and makes the letter more personal. On a wide spectrum, this letter would not have been published and as widely known if it did not show some other background motive than a friendly letter between a mom and her son. Abigail adds to the pressure by saying “adding justice, fortitude, and ever manly virtue which can… render your parents supremely happy.” Almost stating that only if he does not mess up this deal with France, that his family will be proud of him. There is a lot of pressure that comes with following a father’s footsteps to