|
Summer Reading Questions, 2005
- In the first three pages of the memoir, Obama recalls learning of his
father's death; however, most of the space is taken up with recalling
time in New York and the death of a stranger. Reread the first
three pages of the autobiography in light of your reading of the "Origins" section
of the memoir. What details seem especially significant from
the opening and why are they appropriate for beginning the memoir?
- Why is the absence of Obama's father so significant for the author?
What are some of the keys ways in which his absence impacts Barack
Obama?
- Significant portions of "Origins" are dedicated to Obama's
difficulty navigating between two racially determined worlds. On
page 82 he writes, "As it was, I learned to slip back and forth
between my black and white worlds, understanding that each possessed
its own language and customs and structures of meaning, convinced that
with a bit of translation on my part the two worlds would eventually
cohere." Find three examples from "Origins" in
which he "slip[s] back and forth," and explain if he is able
to make the worlds cohere and how he does it. If he
can't bring the worlds together (in any of the examples), explain why.
- Why did Obama give the first section of this book (the title) “Origins” and
why is it significant?
- Describe the family that raised Obama. What roles
did his mother, father, and grandparents play?
- Obama describes an incident that occurred that he thinks changed him. Recount
this incident that begins on page 105. What makes it significant? Can
you recall a significant event in your life that might not have seemed
significant at the time?
- Can a life still be considered "exemplary" if one has flaws? Can
these flaws serve a purpose?
- Where in the autobiography does Barack Obama display "exemplary" characteristics?
Why can these be considered "exemplary?"
|
