The Rhetorical Crisis in "Man is a Dangerous Creature"

When Abigail Adams wrote to John in November 1775, her message gravitated largely toward the question of government in the then-rebellious colonies. Her inquisitive tone and cautious input reflect the questions contemporary to that period (i.e. "If a form of Government is to be established here what one will be assumed?", among others [Gilbert/Gubar 316]). She warns, with wisdom, of the dangerous possibilities entailed in an inadequately subordinate populace ("... I fear that the people will not quetly submit to those restraints which are necessary for the peace..." [ibid]).

Killingsworth's "Rhetoric of Crisis" thus applies in a relatively obvious manner. The yet-to-be-formed nation stood at a precipice, its would-be government and power held in the hands of an exclusive group of men far away from their homes making decisions and compromises that may or may not have accurately reflected the opinions of the majority: those to whom the decisions are, in fact, not necessarily self-evident. Abigail Adams stood in the latter category, among the confused, hopeful and cautious, and she recognizes the crossroads at which the nation stood, questioning the type of governance and the force of law, stating "Tis true your resolutions as a body have heithertoo had the force of Laws. But will they continue to have?" (ibid 317). Killingsworth mentions this type of crisis quite accurately when he mentions, "They [authors] define their audiences by associating them with a present problem, a moment of crisis, and then urge them to transform themselves by choosing wisely." (Killingsworth 44) In Abigail Adams' mind, this crisis is that of the American situation in late 1775, after skirmish had broken out with the British, but before independence declared; her sole outlet and inlet is her correspondence with John, who is the intended audience: both the source of information on the situation and the only possible method of solution or discussion (solace) that she may have.