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?
- This chapter covers the years that Obama spent in New York, finishing his undergraduate degree at Columbia University. Why did he come to New York to study?
- In Chapter 5, Obama mentions that while he was in high school, he stopped writing to his father. Why do you think he stopped writing? Why did he begin again? In the letter Obama reads, his father advises him to come to Kenya to meet his family and to learn “where you belong.” How does Obama react to this advice? Why?
- Obama’s friend Sadik is quite different from Obama. In what ways are they different? What does each of them believe and what are their goals at this point in their lives?
- Obama’s mother and sister come to visit him in New York. They go to see a movie called Black Orpheus together. Why is this an important detail? How does Obama’s understanding of his mother change after they see this film?
- The chapter ends with Obama’s description of a dream he had about his father. What do you understand about this dream? How does this dream reflect a change in Obama’s attitude towards his father?
| Cultural and Historical References | |
 |
Jesse Jackson - p. 121 A civil rights activist and a minister, Jesse Jackson (1941 - ) was the first black man to run for the office of President in 1984. s |
 |
The Abyssinian Baptist Church - p. 121 Located in Harlem on 138th St, the Abyssinian Baptist church was founded by African-American Baptists in 1808. |
 |
125th Street - p. 121 The main cross street of Harlem, 125th is full of stores, theaters, restaurants, and clubs. |
 |
Cooper Union - p. 122 Founded in 1859 as a free institution of higher education, Cooper Union still offers full scholarships to every admitted student. |