On January of 1780 Abigail Adams, mother of John Quincy Adams who would eventually become president of the United States, is writing to her son as he is on his second voyage to France. John Quincy Adams is traveling overseas with his father who is currently a U.S. Diplomat. Abigail Adams is encouraging her son to be diligent and hardworking due to the potential he has been offered from the intelligence of his parents. Abigail is sharing her advice through the use of figurative language, historical references, and an urgent and encouraging tone she informs her son of the potential he contains. Abigail Adams clearly uses a caring tone as a way to encourage her son, and qualify that she is trying to encourage her “dear son” rather than force him into an unwanted situation. Early in her letter, Abigail is establishing that her main concern the following the trip is his safety. Abigail is qualifying John Quincy Adams “knowledge of the language” and she also challenges him by stating that through his hard work and teachings of his father his “understanding [will open]” and have “daily [improvements” through his trip to France.
Abigail Adams use of figurative language is another one of the tactics to which she qualifies her son and the …show more content…
Great minds are not formed “in the calm of life” but when faced with difficulties or many obstacles John Quincy Adam can then have a “vigorous mind”. Abigail provides an example by explaining that Cicero would have never been such a skilled speaker unless he had been challenged by “Catiline, Verres, and Mark Anathony”. With mentioning “War, tyranny, and desolation” Abigail intensifies the situation. She is calling John to the spotlight because he will also have similar challenges in the future and by advancing his knowledge and working hard he can eventually eradicate these common problems when they face