preview

Rhetorical Devices In Abigail Adams Letter To John Quincy Adams

Decent Essays

In Abigail Adams letter to her son: letter to John Quincy Adams, she uses many rhetorical devices to convey her feeling towards him as he leaves with his dad. She uses pathos as a way to project her feelings as a concerning strict mother toward Quincy telling him to use caution during the trip, hoping great things for him. She uses logos to explain to him that he must be grateful and use this advantage that has been given from his father that others don't get, to learn and grow from. Her tone in this letter to her son is advising and loving mother hoping he'll learn from this great experience and doesn't miss out on this opportunity. In the beginning of the passage Adams uses pathos showing that she is a concern strict mother toward John Quincy. "I hope that you had no occasion, either from enemies or the dangers of the sea, to repent your second voyage to France." The use of pathos is to show her concern of the dangers to her son and how he has been doing on his trip. She then shows more aggressive emotions later telling Quincy that this is a great advantage and he shouldn't be ignorant of it. "Your knowledge of the language must give you greater advantages...reaped whilst ignorant of it." She emphasizes the idea that she cares for him and wants him to grow from this experience looking out …show more content…

She references this back to Greek history when she says "Would Cicero have shone so distinguished an orator if he had not been roused...tyranny of Castiline, Verres, and Mark Anthony?" She brings this up comparing great geniuses to John Quincy Adams stating that wisdom and penetration are the fruits of experience. The logos she uses shows her knowledge that has been attain being an educated woman learning from experience. This logic then transpires back to Quincy showing that he should listen to her words due to her highly skilled

Get Access