Dreams from My Father Journal 1

Dreams from My Father is written in a lyrical, colorful, yet straightforward manner. Barack Obama could surely be writing frilly or philosophical phrases, but instead writes to the general public using quietly sophisticated, evocative words. His descriptions of people are detailed and often lets other characters paint the picture of each person. He begins with a description of his father based on his mother and grandparents' stories. Their tales present the reader with multiple accounts of Barack Sr.'s behavior. 

" "So the fella took another look, and shook his head again, and that's when your dad picked him clear off the ground and started dangling him over the railing!" Gramps lets out a hoot and gives his knee a jovial slap...

"He wasn't really holding him over the railing, Dad," my mother says, looking at me with concern, but Gramps takes another sip of whiskey and plows forward" (7). 

Instead of presenting his formulated idea of what his dad was like, Obama allows the reader to get to know his father the same way that he did – through stories, the only means available on which to learn about him. 

Obama includes a lot of dialogue (most of which is likely paraphrased). This has the effect of making the memoir read like a novel. This book is not a reflection; rather, an account. It follows the chapter in his life during which Barack was seeking answers to the unanswerable questions brought to light by his father's sudden death: How should his son feel upon hearing the news? Did leaving his son mean that he did not love him? What were his dreams? Who was he?

This story is proving to be a fascinating, detailed, and easily-read depiction of Barack Obama's thoughts and tactful observations on a society overcoming social racial obstacles and his personal growth along the way to discovering his father.