In response to Abigail Adams

I really enjoyed Abigail Adams’s letters.  Her writing voice is so present, I feel like I got to know her a little bit through her letters.  The manner in which she speaks to her husband is completely surprising.  I had assumed that back in revolutionary times, it was still taboo for women to voice their opinions to their “Master” (Absolute Power over Wives).  However, it would have been a very bad match for one such as John Adams to have married a woman any less opinionated (I do believe he found his match).  She is not afraid to say what she thinks and feels, which reveals a great deal about her character.

Abigail Adams writing genre (letter) is an extremely personal one which allows for a great deal of transparency on her part.  She can talk about the children, the current state of affairs, or her feelings without the expectancy of being judged, because she is not writing for a large, impersonal audience.  There is only her husband, who she calls "Friend" (Remember the Ladies).  Therefore, these letters are an excellent resource because of the lack of façade paired with the truthfulness of the author. This allows us (21C. readers) so take trustworthy information about the times and about Abigail's character from her writings.