Dreams from My Father

Chapter 11 & 12

Discussion Questions

What did you learn about Obama from reading these chapters? What was of most interest to you? What do you need more information about? What, if anything, was confusing to you?
What is the tone (attitude or mood) of the opening paragraphs of Chapter 11 (pages 207-208)? What details or specific words or phrases does Obama use to set the tone? Does the tone seem different from the previous chapter? Why or why not?
What stories do Obama and Auma share with each other about their travels and about past and current lovers in their lives? Do you find similarities between these stories and the stories Auma tells about her father and his life? Why or why not?
In Chapter 12, Obama notes that he has been in Chicago for nearly a year. What visible changes does he see in the local community and in himself? What has not changed? What events in this year seem most significant to Obama? Why do you think so?
What seem to be the most important details of Sadie’s story? What does Obama think of the outcome of Sadie’s story? Do you agree with Obama’s conclusions? Why or why not?

Cultural and Historical References
	Heidelberg, Germany – p. 208 Located on the Rhine River in Germany, Heidelberg has a population of approximately 140,000 people.
	The Emerald Curtain – p. 221 In The Wizard of Oz, the 1939 Hollywood film based on the children’s fantasy novel by L. Frank Baum, a wizard who claims to be “great and powerful” is in reality a meek and powerless man, creating illusions behind an “emerald curtain.”
	Polaroid - p. 226: Many years before digital photography, this small, hand-held camera developed pictures immediately after they were taken; such pictures were called “Polaroids.”
	Better Homes and Gardens – p. 234 A popular magazine with glossy photographs of expensive homes and gardens, Better Homes and Gardens also includes decorating suggestions.