What rhetorical device is being used in the following excerpt from "Letter to John Adams" by Abigail Adams? "I am willing to allow the colony great merit for having produced a Washington; but they have been shamefully duped by a Dunmore."

The rhetorical device used in the excerpt from Abigail Adams's "Letter to John Adams" is **antithesis**. **Antithesis** involves the juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in a balanced or parallel structure to highlight differences between them. In the provided sentence: - **Positive Contrast:** "I am willing to allow the colony great merit for having produced a Washington;" - **Negative Contrast:** "but they have been shamefully duped by a Dunmore." Here, Abigail Adams contrasts the commendable achievement of producing a figure like Washington with the negative action of being deceived by Dunmore. This sharp juxtaposition emphasizes the colony's strengths while simultaneously criticizing the misleading influence of Dunmore. **Example Breakdown:** - **Merit for Washington:** Acknowledges and praises the colony’s positive accomplishments. - **Duped by Dunmore:** Criticizes the negative impact or betrayal by Dunmore. By placing these opposing ideas side by side, Adams effectively underscores the dual nature of the colony's situation, celebrating its successes while condemning the misleading actions of its adversaries. **Other Possible Devices:** While antithesis is the most fitting, the passage also employs **contrast** by highlighting opposing outcomes related to the colony's leaders. Additionally, there's a subtle use of **alliteration** in "shamefully duped by a Dunmore," which adds a rhythmic emphasis to the criticism. **Summary:** The primary rhetorical device is **antithesis**, achieved through the balanced presentation of contrasting ideas to enhance the effectiveness of the argument. **References:** - Aristotle's "Rhetoric" on antithesis - Literary device guides on antithesis and contrast **Example for Further Understanding:** Consider the famous line from Charles Dickens's *A Tale of Two Cities*: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..." This is another classic example of **antithesis**, where Dickens places opposing ideas in close proximity to highlight the complexities of the era. **Conclusion:** Antithesis effectively strengthens Abigail Adams's argument by clearly delineating the virtues of Washington against the deceit of Dunmore, making her critique more persuasive and memorable. **Answer Summary:** She employs antithesis, contrasting the colony’s merit in producing Washington with being deceived by Dunmore.