Read and annotate carefully Barack Obama’s Chapter 4, Dreams from My Father. PRINT IT OUT! Obama, Chapter Four
Obama is very good at writing scenes. Study the way he creates theatre of the mind for the reader. He takes his reader on his journey; he is the hero learning about himself, about who he is. In Chapter 4 he shows us his high school years with friends and transformative events with his peer group. We could call this chapter Obama’s Education Narrative.
As you read, take note and clarify for yourself:
- Ray is ___ (what race?).
- Jeff and Scott (basketball friends) are ____.
- Obama’s grandparents are___.
- Frank is ____. In these scenes, race matters.
Notice how Obama writes about the TWO different worlds he navigates between. What are these two worlds?
Open Lab HW #7. Write three paragraphs. Use the title: Reading Response Obama — YOUR NAME and the Category: Reading Response Obama. DUE Sunday night October 17.
As usual, also Post Comments to TWO of your peers in the Open Lab.
Pay attention to the following scenes.
- The opening scene with high school friend Ray (pages 72-73)
- Obama’s mental note of the “ledger of slights” he experiences daily (80-81)
- Party at Ray’s (starts bottom of page 83-85)
- Connection to Malcolm X’s autobiography (86-87)
- Grandparents’ argument (87-89)
- Visit to grandfather’s friend Frank (89-91)
Choose ONE of the above scenes. Then you will write 3 paragraphs for HW #7.
- In your own words, summarize the scene you have chosen. Write one paragraph of 5-7 sentences.
- Select a significant quotation from the scene. Explain in your own words. One paragraph 5-7 sentences.
- In this scene, what does Obama learn about himself and about the world? One paragraph of 5-7 sentences.
