Genre
Memoir
Setting and Context
the United States, from his birth in 1942 to the present day
Narrator and Point of View
from the point of view of Joe Biden
Tone and Mood
Triumphant, Happy, Energetic, Intelligent, Warm, and Riveting
Protagonist and Antagonist
There is no clear protagonist/antagonist structure in the book.
Major Conflict
There is no major conflict in the book - it simply tells Biden's story and some of the struggles he had to go through to get through life (particularly his stutter) and be elected (first as a Senator, later as Vice President).
Climax
When Joe and Barack Obama win positions as Vice President and President, respectively
Foreshadowing
Joe Biden winning the Office of Vice Presidency is foreshadowed early on in the film
Understatement
The profundity of Obama and Biden's win is understated in the book.
Allusions
To Biden's family history, the history of the United States, geography, popular culture, and religion.
Imagery
Biden uses intense imagery when describing his political campaigns.
Paradox
Biden had a horrible stutter yet was elected to a high-ranking office.
Parallelism
Biden's story and the story of other politicians are paralleled throughout the book.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
POTUS = President of the United States
Personification
The United States is personified throughout the book.
