Genre
Memoir
Setting and Context
Mostly the United States (and the world) through Obama's first term
Narrator and Point of View
From Obama's point of view, with Obama serving as the narrator of the book
Tone and Mood
Tone: Historical, Revelatory, Reflective, and Positive
Mood: Happy, Reflexive, Jovial, and occasionally, solemn
Protagonist and Antagonist
Obama is portrayed as a protagonist; there are no major antagonists in the book.
Major Conflict
The hard decisions Obama had to make throughout his Presidency, as well as the battles he had to fight with other world leaders and Congress itself
Climax
When Osama bin Laden is killed by a U.S. Strike Team
Foreshadowing
Obama ordering the killing of bin Laden to take place is foreshadowed early on in the book.
Understatement
The sheer difficulty of being President is oftentimes understated in the book.
Allusions
As this is a non-fiction book, Obama makes little use of allusion. However, he occasionally alludes to religion and to history (both of the United States and his personal history).
Imagery
Obama masterfully uses imagery to underscore some of the most important aspects of the Presidency.
Paradox
N/A
Parallelism
Naturally, Obama sometimes parallels some of the experiences he had as President with other Presidents (especially living Presidents, like George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Jimmy Carter).
Metonymy and Synecdoche
Obama uses neither metonymy nor synecdoche.
Personification
Obama typically personifies the United States in the book.
