In the letter written by Abigail Adams to her son John Quincy Adams, who at the time was traveling with his father, a United States diplomat and the country’s second president. Abigail expresses to John Quincy Adams how important it is to take advantage of the great opportunity and to never stop excelling in life no matter what he may face. Through the use of parallel structure, imagery, and allusions, Abigail Adams effectively advises her son to be better, to make his nation and better and to excel in the high expectation that is given to him.
All through her letter, Adams utilizes her honest tone to encourage her son to make his parents and his nation happy. She consistently uses the words "my son", from the earliest starting point beginning off her letter with "my dear son", to the end. She does this to advise him that despite the fact that she talks formally, with great detail and expectation, she doesn’t want him to think that he …show more content…
Adams explains to her son what the purpose of his life is and that the long journey will all be worth it. The author states “War, tyranny, and desolation are the scourges of the Almighty, and ought no doubt to be deprecated. Yet it is your lot, my son, to be an eyewitness of these calamities in your own native 45 land, and, at the same time, to owe your existence among a people who have made a glorious defence of their invaded liberties, and who, aided by a generous and powerful ally, with the blessing of Heaven, will transmit this inheritance to ages yet unborn.” She begins to foreshadow what America is becoming but at the same time, she is expressing to her son that it will be hard but the reward in the end for his country and self will be all worth it. Through the allusion, she wants John Quincy Adams to understand trials and tribulations might come his way, but he forever needs to be grateful for the people before him and the people that come after