How Did Abigail Adams Influence Phillis Wheatley

The writings of Abigail Adams and Phillis Wheatley touched the lives and hearts of many Americans in the Puritan era. Both these authors experienced influences which shaped their writing styles. They were able to create wonderfully crafted works which resonated with society. Many people felt connected to these women because of their truth and vigor. Through their differing influences, Phillis Wheatley and Abigail Adams created writings that are similar and different from one another based on subject and style. The style Abigail Adams created was majorly influenced by her relationship with her husband, John Adams. In 1759, Abigail Smith met John Adams and in five years, they were happily married (Noble n.p.). This marriage allowed Adams to experience situations that would affect her opinions of society. For example, when she visited below the Mason-Dixon line, her belief that slavery was evil and threatening was strengthened (n.p.). Adams also used her husband’s position to help the cause of women’s rights. She “encouraged her …show more content…
Her writings feature this, as when she said, “Our country is as it were a secondary God, and the first and greatest parent” (Abigail Adams 3). In her writing, she shows how strongly she feels on the inequalities that women and slaves suffer. Adams warns her husband that “If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies we are determined to foment a rebellion and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation” (Noble n.p.). She is devoted and loyal to her family and their decision making. The letters she writes on these serious topics also include a sense of humor that displays her personality completely (n.p.). Adams presents her theological views as well in her writing as when she said, “When will Mankind be convinced that true religion is from the heart, between Man and his creator, and not the imposition of man or creeds and tests?”