The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times

Obama frequently uses personal anecdotes to illustrate how she has overcome fears or challenges in her own life. Describe two situations she experienced and the lessons they taught her, referencing the text.

Obama credits her parents with breaking the “cycle” of fear in her family. How did they do so? Explain in detail.

How does Obama employ analogies to make her lessons more memorable? Analyze three examples.

Choose one tool from Obama’s “toolbox” that you’d like to apply in your own life. What do you think are its benefits and limitations? Explain.

Obama notes that small, tangible tasks like knitting can help us recover from feeling overwhelmed and develop our ability to take on bigger challenges. How does she support her argument? Do you agree or disagree? Why?

The author argues that chronic feelings of “differentness” can threaten a person’s mental health and sense of themselves. What anecdotes, research, and references does she use to support this claim? What does she propose as a solution?

Summarize Obama’s advice for romantic relationships, and explain how she learned that these values or tools were important to her.

Obama famously said in a speech, “When they go low, we go high.” How does she define “going high”? What does she recommend the reader do to “go high” themselves?