Optimism, Growth, and Fulfillment
Becoming follows the life of United States First Lady Michelle Obama. The memoir recounts Michelle’s childhood on the South Side of Chicago, her time at Princeton and Harvard Law School, her career as a lawyer, and her marriage to Barack Obama, who eventually becomes the forty-fourth President of the United States. As she examines each phase of her life, Michelle highlights the importance of fulfillment, as well as the optimism required to achieve…
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Community, Investment, and Hard Work
The early chapters of Michelle Obama’s memoir track her trajectory from middle-class kid from the South Side of Chicago to graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School. On the surface, Michelle’s story appears to tout the age-old narrative that hard work is the key ingredient to success. And while Michelle did work hard, she acknowledges that there were many other factors involved in her accomplishments. Throughout the memoir, Michelle demonstrates the value of…
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Race, Gender, and Politics
In Becoming, Michelle Obama describes how the racism and sexism that she experiences as a black woman in America have shaped her life. Seeing these forms of discrimination both personally and on a larger societal scale allows her to give the reader a full view of how discrimination shapes both individuals and America’s institutions. She demonstrates how racism and sexism affect her everyday life as well as the lives of other black women in…
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Marriage, Parenthood, and Work
A key aspect of Becoming is Michelle Obama’s discussion of how her life has been shaped by dueling priorities—that of being a wife, a mother, and someone who wants to be fulfilled professionally. She recounts the ways in which she juggles these commitments, but at the same time, she emphasizes that there is no one right way to do so. Ultimately, Michelle demonstrates that no matter what, anyone juggling these priorities will be forced…
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Power, Privilege, and Responsibility
When Becoming author Michelle Obama and her husband Barack are whisked into the White House following his first presidential election, they are thrust into a world of luxury, one-of-a-kind experiences, and the unique privileges afforded a first family. However, Michelle emphasizes that with this ease comes an immense amount of responsibility. Despite the fact that many of their day-to-day worries are taken care of, Michelle makes it a point to stay grounded and above all…
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