Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Middle Grade | Published in 2021

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Preface-Part 1

Part 2

Part 3-Epilogue

Key Figures

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Beta

Discussion Questions

Themes

The Role of Family

In Michelle’s memoir, the theme of family remains central to shaping her identity, values, and decisions throughout her life. The memoir portrays family not merely as a support system but as the foundation that influences her worldview—a foundation reflected in the structure of her narrative. Michelle opens her story by reflecting on her childhood, growing up on the South Side of Chicago, where she is nurtured by a close-knit family that provides love, support, and the tools to face life’s challenges. She describes her parents, Fraser and Marian Robinson, as pivotal in her upbringing, instilling in her the principles of hard work, integrity, and resilience. These core values form the foundation for Michelle’s aspirations and continue to guide her throughout her journey.

Michelle demonstrates the influence of her family in the way she approaches her own life and decisions, particularly in her roles as a wife and mother. When she marries Barack, she feels she’s not just entering a partnership with a man, but also integrating her deep commitment to family into their shared life. As Barack’s political career begins to rise, Michelle constantly grapples with the tension between the demands of public life and the need to maintain a stable family environment for their daughters, Malia and Sasha. The memoir details how she maintains this balance, often making personal sacrifices to ensure that her family remains at the center of her world. For instance, when Barack considers running for president, Michelle reflects deeply on the potential impact of this choice on their family life. She is acutely aware of the sacrifices that will be required and the scrutiny their family will face, yet she remains steadfast in her commitment to keeping her family intact and grounded.

Michelle’s narrative reveals how her family continues to be her anchor, even as she takes on the role of First Lady. Despite the public demands and pressures, Michelle consistently prioritizes her family’s well-being. She creates a sense of normalcy for her daughters and ensures that they remain connected to their roots and values despite the extraordinary circumstances of their lives.

Michelle expands the theme of family in Becoming by broadening the lens of her narrative to her extended family and the broader Black community. Michelle often reflects on the strength and resilience of her ancestors, recognizing that their struggles and triumphs lay the groundwork for her own journey. This acknowledgment of her heritage emphasizes the deep connection she feels to her family’s history and the responsibility she carries to honor their legacy.

Michelle constantly refers to the strength she draws from her family, both immediate and extended, and how this support is instrumental in her journey from the South Side of Chicago to the White House. Through her memoir, Michelle emphasizes that family is not just a personal anchor, but a vital force that influences broader life decisions, reinforcing the idea that who we are is deeply rooted in where we come from.

The Importance of Believing in Oneself

Michelle’s journey from a young girl struggling with self-doubt to a woman of significant public and political influence centers the importance of self-belief. She introduces the theme early in her life when she faces a high school counselor who questions her suitability for Princeton, a moment that plants a seed of self-doubt. However, Michelle’s decision to trust in her own potential, despite external skepticism, becomes a significant personal turning point in her story. Her determination to apply to Princeton, relying on the support of those who genuinely believed in her, highlights her growing belief in herself. This belief is not just about confidence but is deeply tied to her understanding of the power of persistence and resilience.

As Michelle progresses through life, she repeatedly encounters situations that test this self-belief, from navigating the challenges of being a Black woman in predominantly white spaces to balancing her professional ambitions with personal responsibilities. Her time at Princeton and later at Harvard Law School further solidifies her understanding that believing in oneself is crucial to overcoming the barriers imposed by societal expectations and systemic racism and misogynoir. Her narrative emphasizes that she nurtures this belief through hard work, reflection, and the support of mentors and loved ones who reinforce her sense of self-worth.

Michelle’s professional journey also emphasizes the importance of self-belief. After law school, she joins a prestigious law firm but soon realizes that the traditional path of corporate law doesn’t align with her passions. Despite the security and status that come with the job, Michelle believes in her desire to contribute to her community in more meaningful ways. This belief, reinforced by the support of her family, leads her to take risks, such as leaving her corporate job to work in public service and community outreach. Her roles at organizations like Public Allies and the University of Chicago allow her to impact lives directly, reifying her conviction that believing in oneself sometimes means making difficult choices and forging a path that aligns with one’s true values.

The theme reaches its apex when Michelle reflects on her role as the First Lady of the United States. Here, her belief in herself transcends personal achievement and becomes a force for empowering others, particularly young women and marginalized communities, to believe in their own potential. By sharing her story and embracing her platform, Michelle underscores the idea that self-belief is not just about personal success but about creating pathways for others to realize their true worth. She puts these values into action through initiatives like her leadership and mentoring program at the White House, where she encourages young women to embrace the truth that they belong in spaces traditionally not designed for them.

Michelle’s memoir illustrates that believing in oneself is a powerful tool for overcoming adversity and achieving success—a tool cultivated through experiences, challenges, and the encouragement of others. Her journey shows that self-belief is essential not only for personal growth but also for inspiring and empowering others to pursue their dreams.

Balancing Professional and Personal Life

In Michelle’s memoir, the theme of balancing professional and personal life highlights the complexities of managing a demanding career while nurturing a family. This struggle remains evident throughout Michelle’s adult life, from her early days as a young lawyer to her role as First Lady of the United States. Her experiences reflect the universal struggle of finding equilibrium between work and home, a challenge she navigates with resilience, adaptability, and a deep sense of responsibility to both her career and her family.

Michelle’s professional journey begins in the high-stakes world of corporate law, where she quickly excels, but the demands of her career often conflict with her personal values and desire to contribute to her community in more meaningful ways. This internal conflict leads Michelle to make a significant decision—leaving her high-paying job at a prestigious law firm to pursue work that aligns more closely with her passions and allows for greater flexibility in her personal life. This decision marks the beginning of a continuous balancing act, where Michelle learned to prioritize her family while still pursuing a fulfilling career.

Through personal anecdotes, Michelle illustrates how her attempts to find a manageable equilibrium between the personal and professional escalate as Barack begins his political career. The memoir vividly describes the period when Barack travels frequently, campaigning and serving in the Senate, leaving Michelle to manage their household and care for their young daughters, creating greater personal and logistical challenges in balancing her professional ambitions with her responsibilities as a wife and mother. During this time, Michelle makes difficult choices, often sacrificing her career aspirations to ensure stability and normalcy for her children. Despite the pressures, Michelle remains committed to maintaining a sense of balance, even if it means stepping back from her career to focus on her family.

Michelle emphasizes her tenure as First Lady as the climax of this balancing act between their personal and professional lives. The role brings with it immense public scrutiny and a host of responsibilities that require her to constantly juggle her duties as a mother, wife, and public figure. Michelle’s memoir details her efforts to carve out time for her family, often structuring her schedule around her daughters’ routines to ensure she can be present for important moments in their lives. She candidly discusses the challenges of living under the intense public gaze while trying to maintain a semblance of normal family life, often feeling the tension between the demands of the White House and her desire to protect her family’s privacy and well-being. As she shares during a magazine interview, “My primary focus in the White House would be to continue my role as ‘mom in chief’ in our family” (308).

Michelle frames the ongoing struggle to balance professional and personal life as a challenge that requires constant negotiation, sacrifice, and adaptation. Her story emphasizes that achieving this balance is not about perfection but about making intentional choices that reflect one’s priorities and values. Through her experiences, Michelle makes it clear that while it is possible to pursue a successful career and maintain a fulfilling personal life, it often requires difficult decisions and a willingness to redefine success on one’s own terms.