Dreams From My Father- Emotional Reaction

            “Once in a while I would run into him on his way back to the store, and I would off to carry his groceries up a long flight of stairs. He would look at me and shrug, and we would begin our ascent, stopping at each landing so that he could catch his breath… not a single word was passed between us and not once did he ever thank me for my efforts”(4).

             The passage explains Obama’s relationship with one of his neighbors before he died. I felt as if their relationship was very peculiar. Obama’s relationship with the old man lets me know that he is generous and kind and does not expect anything for being so courteous. Obama write about the old man in a vague and admirable way. He gives us only a gist of his relationship with the old but enough for the readers to understand him.

            “The loneliness of the scene affected me, and for the briefest moment I wish I had learned the old man’s name”(5).

            Obama didn’t even know the old man’s name! that is what drew me to this portion of the memoir because I didn’t know that people could have this vague and non-communicative relationship. Obama also mention how when the man had passed away, the police had found close to a thousand dollar in the old man’s refrigerator. Obama also mentions the old man having similar opinions as him. This indicates that Obama is wise observant.