Analysis Of Abigail Adams Letter To Her Son

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In the early 1700’s Abigail Adams decided to write a letter to her son, John Quincy Adams, explaining why she was so insistent on him going to the voyage to France. She only knew that this trip would be beneficial for him as he already had an advantage for knowing the French language. In Abigail Adams’ Letter to Her Son, (1780) she argues that pushing him into going on this journey also made herself feel guilty, but knows that it will only give J.Q. Adams the great experience needed to grow and mature. She advises him on going by using her ‘motherly tone,’ comparing him to past authorities, such as great Cicero, as well as using his great nationalism to convince him even more that this trip is necessary for him. Mrs. Adams starts …show more content…

Adams uses more advanced diction, but in the latter paragraphs, Abigail Adams uses archaic diction which proves how smart of a man J. Q. Adams is. “Nor ought it to be one of the least of your incitements towards exerting every power and faculty of your mind…” This language could only be understood by few who have had plenty years of experience using this type of old style English. She also invokes how proud of a mother she is that he has ultimately decided to go on this journey. She implies that she has much “satisfaction as to be honored” when she hears the embassy call upon her sons name. This shows that so much of her time has been put into J. Q. Adams’ life, that he lives for the both of them, she is invested with his life. A sense of patriotism comes in the last paragraph of this letter. “...but add justice, fortitude...do honor to your country…” This also appeals to his emotions as though it’s making him feel he now has a responsibility to his country, and then patriotism comes in by him needing to better shape the future of the nation. In this entire letter, Abigail Adams doesn’t once forget to bestow her gratitude and her pride toward her son. She ends the letter “...and render your parents supremely happy, particularly your ever affectionate mother,” to keep her son forever reassured that he is doing the right thing by going on this

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