Introspection and Reflection
- On page 376, Obama provides a detailed description of his first day with Granny and other members of his family. Think about a time in your life when you visited a place or people that you didn’t know before. What do you remember? What was that day like for you? How was it different from Obama’s experience? Try to imagine yourself in that place or with those people again, and think about all the little and big things that make up your memory of that time and place. How did you feel? What were you doing?
- On pages 389-391, Sayid tells a story about Obama’s father, a man who was generous and good, but who was sometimes afraid of what other people would say about him. Sayid teaches Bernard that it’s important to respect our elders, but that if we see them “fall[ing] into a pit,” then we must “step around…diverge from that path and make your own.” Have you had to make your own path in your life? How has your path diverged from that of your elders? Was it difficult to make the changes? How did your family respond as you made your own way in the world? Do you think Obama had a similar experience? Why or why not?
Suggestions for Essays, Presentations, or Research Projects
- On pages 367-368, Obama writes about the 600-mile long railway that was constructed when Kenya and other parts of Africa were under British rule. Use the links below to learn more about the project. When you have finished, please create a digital story about the railroad construction and its effects on the African continent. Compare what you have learned with the advantages and disadvantages that Obama articulates. Would it have been better for Africa and Africans if the railway had not been built? Why or why not?
- On page 382, Sayid refers to an expression he read in a book by Chinua Achebe. Please use the links below to learn more about Achebe. After you have read about Achebe, read one of his books. Then, please write an analysis of the novel. Tell your readers about the book and Achebe, and then discuss how what you read connects to Dreams from My Father.
- On pages 374-375, Obama looks at pictures of his father’s family, and begins to ask questions about the people in the photographs. You might have the same kinds of questions about photographs that your family has collected. Take a few of your family’s old photographs, and begin to do some research on the people you see. Who were they? Are the photographs representative of some special time in your family’s history? Make some notes as you go along, and write down any questions you might have. Use those questions to interview members of your family about the people you are looking at. When you have compiled some information, create a digital story in which you explain the photographs and why they are important to you and your family.
Useful Links for Further Research
http://www.greywall.demon.co.uk/rail/Kenya/nrm.html
Geography -
CIA World Factbook – Kenya https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ke.html
Chinua Achebe