Abigail Adams, the wife of John Adams, wrote a letter to her son, John Quincy Adams, on January 12, 1780. In this letter, Abigail Adams spoke to her son about him traveling with his father overseas. Throughout her letter, she wishes her son luck on his voyage, and she also claims that he has incredible knowledge. She also mentions how much she cares for her son, and his character while he is traveling. In Abigail Adam’s letter to her son, she utilizes various rhetorical strategies, including ethical appeal, emotional appeal, and metaphors, to encourage him to do extraordinary things, and to become a great man.
To begin, Abigail Adams uses a metaphor in the letter to encourage her son. For example, in her letter, she states: “Some author, that I have met, compares a judicious traveler to a river, that increases its stream the further it flows from its source; or to certain springs, which, running through rich veins of minerals, improve their qualities as they pass along.” (Adams) In this quote, Abigail Adams compares a travelers’ knowledge to the way a river flows. This quote means that a traveler increases their knowledge the further they stray from their homeland. Their increase of knowledge is compared to the stream that flows from the source of the river. Adams uses this comparison to …show more content…
First, she utilizes a metaphor to persuade her son to increase his knowledge while he is travelling. Secondly, she uses ethical appeal in her letter, mentioning Heaven to encourage her son to act dignified. Lastly, Abigail utilizes emotional appeal to show her son that she cares for him, and the actions he partakes in during his voyage. In Abigail Adam’s letter to her son, she utilizes various rhetorical strategies, including ethical appeal, emotional appeal, and metaphors, to encourage him to do extraordinary things, and to be the best version of himself that he can