'Letters of Abigail' Audience

The letters of Abigail Adams are obviously not written for the people whom read it now. Being able to be read by the readers now, provides understanding of how the time then was. After reading Killingsworth's "Appeal to Time," you can see that Adam's meets many of the ideas explored by Killingsworth. 

Killingsworth mentions that progressive rhetoric is "not taking the contemplated action will bring disastrous consequences" (Killingsworth 49). In these next examples she understands the elements involved in idea of progressive that Killingsworth makes. This is shown in Adam's letters when she notes that woman should be paid attention to and if not noticed, than the will not be bound to laws.  Adams wants action to be taken for women, the right to vote, a voice (Adams 318).

Killingsworth's third idea of progressive rhetoric is "contemplated action is backed up by powerful historical forces that are already "on the march"; opposing them would be utterly futile" (Killingsworth 49). She mentions this when she says men of all ages are aware of the mistreating in women when it comes to the "vassals of Sex" (Adams 319). Adams very much knows she is not the only one thinking so.  She wants men to not rule but protect women with happiness.  (Adams 319).

Another example of Killingsworth's idea that is noticeable in Adams letters is progressive rhetoric. Killingsworth writes that "new reform and the old reforms will mutually reinforce each other" (Killingsworth 49).  Adam also shows this in her letters especially when she signs her letters to her husband as "Portia". Adam is trying to make clear that she may be of help to her husband, more as a partner than compliant. (Adams 321).

 Killingsworth's article,  supports Adams ideas and shows that she is a progressive thinker.