Dreams from My Father

Chapter 1

Introspection and Research Questions

Discussion Questions

What did you learn about Obama from reading this chapter? What was of most interest to you? What do you need more information about? What, if anything, was confusing to you?

Chapter 1 begins in 1982, just after Obama’s 21st birthday, when he learns that the father he barely knows has died in an accident. How does Obama react? What goes through his mind when he receives this news? Why do you think Obama chose to begin his book here?

On pages 5-11, Obama recounts how his parents met, offers details about their marriage, and summarizes the stories his grandfather, “Gramps,” told about Obama’s father. What do these stories reveal about Obama’s father? What does Obama think has been exaggerated, and why? What do these stories tell you about the relationship between Obama and his father?

While Gramps may have exaggerated, we do learn something concrete about Obama’s father and his mother in these pages. Please list five factual statements about each of them, and explain why those facts are relevant to understanding Dreams from My Father.

On page 8, Gramps finishes a story saying, “'Now there’s something you can learn from your dad,’ he would tell me. ‘Confidence. The secret to a man’s success.’” After you finish the entire chapter, come back to this quotation. What do you now know about Gramps and the way he lived his life that affects your understanding of this statement? Do you agree that confidence is key to success? Why? How does Obama’s father show his confidence? What about Gramps?

On pages 10-11, Obama relates a story about his father’s encounter with a white man in a bar, and discusses his reaction to it. What does this story mean for Obama? Why do you think he tells it here? Please make a note of these pages; you may want to refer to them later as you learn more about Obama and his developing ideas about race and identity.

Cultural and Historical References
	Jimi Hendrix at Monterey – p. 11 Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970), a famous African-American guitarist and singer from the 1960s, performed at the Monterey Pop festival in 1967. Watch him in this video clip when you have time.
	John Brown – p. 12 In 1859, John Brown (1800-1859) , a militant advocate for the abolition of slavery, led an assault on a federal arsenal.
	American Gothic – p. 12 Painted by Grant Wood in 1930, "American Gothic" was instantly famous for its depiction of rural America.
	Rosie the Riveter - p. 15 During World War II, in response to a government call for help, many women went to work in factories.
	Nat King Cole - p. 17 A famous singer, Nat King Cole (1919-1965), was the first black performer to have his own television show. Watch him sing "Unforgettable," one of his most well-known songs.
	Amos and Andy - p. 18 From 1928-1958, two white actors impersonated two black men in this very popular radio show. Transferred to television in 1951, both the radio and the television shows were the subject of great controversy because of its stereotyped caricatures of black culture.