Race, Gender and Politics in Michelle Obama’s Autobiography "Becoming". An African American Women's Autobiography and First Lady Memoir

Table of Contents

• Introduction: Tracing Autobiographical Genres and Intersectional Identities
• Chapter One: 'Am I Good Enough?': Selling the American Dream in Michelle Obama's Autobiography Becoming
• Chapter Two: Reinventing The Role of First Lady: A Quest for Self-Definition Through Intersectionality

Objectives and Key Themes

This thesis examines Michelle Obama's autobiography, Becoming, analyzing how it constructs identity through the intersection of race, gender, and politics. It explores the fusion of personal and public narratives within the context of African American women's autobiographies and the genre of First Lady memoirs. The work aims to understand how Obama utilizes autobiographical writing to claim her own narrative and challenge existing representations.

• Intersectionality of identity (race, gender, class)
• Autobiographical genre and self-definition
• The role of the First Lady and its reinvention
• Negotiating public and private spheres
• The "American Dream" and its complexities

Chapter Summaries

Introduction: Tracing Autobiographical Genres and Intersectional Identities: This introduction establishes the theoretical framework for analyzing Michelle Obama's Becoming. It draws upon the work of scholars like Mary Church Terrell, Carole Boyce Davies, and Françoise Lionnet to highlight the unique challenges faced by African American women autobiographers in constructing their identities and narratives. The introduction emphasizes the intersectional nature of Obama's identity and positions her autobiography within the existing tradition of African American women's life writing and the subgenre of First Lady memoirs. It also emphasizes Obama's use of autobiography as a tool for self-definition and reclaiming her own story, countering potentially limiting external narratives.

Chapter One: 'Am I Good Enough?': Selling the American Dream in Michelle Obama's Autobiography Becoming: This chapter delves into the complexities of the "American Dream" as portrayed in Obama's narrative. It examines how Obama's personal experiences, from her working-class upbringing to her achievements as a lawyer and First Lady, challenge and complicate the idealized notion of success in America. The chapter likely analyzes how her experiences reflect broader socio-political realities, particularly concerning race and class within the American context. The analysis would connect her personal journey to larger societal themes and issues regarding opportunity, upward mobility and the attainment of the American Dream. Examples from her life would be examined to demonstrate how her reality intersects with and diverges from the idealized narrative of the American Dream.

Chapter Two: Reinventing The Role of First Lady: A Quest for Self-Definition Through Intersectionality: This chapter explores Michelle Obama's unique position as the first African American First Lady and her conscious effort to redefine the role. The analysis likely focuses on how Obama navigated the public and private aspects of her life while maintaining her own identity. It would explore how she used her platform to advocate for causes she believed in, such as education and healthy living, and how these actions challenged conventional expectations associated with the First Lady's role. The chapter would likely discuss the intersectional challenges she faced as a woman of color in a powerful position and how she used her narrative to empower others. It would use specific examples from her time as First Lady to demonstrate how she redefined the role for herself and subsequent generations.

Keywords

Michelle Obama, Becoming, autobiography, African American women's autobiography, First Lady memoir, intersectionality, race, gender, politics, identity, self-definition, American Dream, public narrative, private narrative, self-representation.

Michelle Obama's "Becoming": A Thesis Preview - FAQ

What is the main focus of this thesis?

This thesis analyzes Michelle Obama's autobiography, Becoming, examining how it constructs identity through the intersection of race, gender, and politics. It explores how Obama uses autobiographical writing to claim her own narrative and challenge existing representations within the context of African American women's autobiographies and the genre of First Lady memoirs.

What are the key themes explored in the thesis?

Key themes include the intersectionality of identity (race, gender, class), autobiographical genre and self-definition, the role of the First Lady and its reinvention, negotiating public and private spheres, and the complexities of the "American Dream".

What theoretical frameworks are used in the analysis?

The thesis draws upon the work of scholars like Mary Church Terrell, Carole Boyce Davies, and Françoise Lionnet to understand the unique challenges faced by African American women autobiographers in constructing their identities and narratives. The intersectional nature of Obama's identity is a central focus.

What are the chapter summaries?

The Introduction establishes the theoretical framework and positions Obama's autobiography within existing literary traditions. Chapter One analyzes the "American Dream" as portrayed in Becoming, examining how Obama's experiences challenge and complicate idealized notions of success. Chapter Two explores Obama's redefinition of the First Lady role, focusing on how she navigated public and private life while maintaining her own identity and advocating for various causes.

How does the thesis analyze Michelle Obama's use of autobiography?

The thesis examines how Obama utilizes autobiography as a tool for self-definition, reclaiming her own story and countering potentially limiting external narratives. It explores how she constructs her identity through her narrative and challenges conventional representations.

What is the significance of "Becoming" within the context of African American women's autobiographies and First Lady memoirs?

The thesis positions Becoming within the existing tradition of African American women's life writing and the subgenre of First Lady memoirs, highlighting the unique challenges and contributions of Obama's narrative within these genres. It examines how her autobiography contributes to and expands upon existing conversations about identity, race, and power.

What are the keywords associated with this thesis?

Keywords include: Michelle Obama, Becoming, autobiography, African American women's autobiography, First Lady memoir, intersectionality, race, gender, politics, identity, self-definition, American Dream, public narrative, private narrative, self-representation.