Dreams from My Father Character Analysis

Barack Obama

Barack Obama is the memoir’s protagonist and narrator. He’s a biracial man born to a white American mother, Ann, and a Black Kenyan father. Barack grows up without his father and initially thinks… read analysis of Barack Obama

Barack’s Father/The Old Man

The Old Man is Barack’s father, a Kenyan man who married Ann and had Barack during his time studying at the University of Hawaii. Barack’s father’s name is also Barack, but Auma (Barack’s half-sister)… read analysis of Barack’s Father/The Old Man

Gramps

Gramps is Barack’s maternal grandfather, Ann’s father, and Toot’s husband. He grew up near Wichita, Kansas, where his father was a known philanderer, and his mother committed suicide. Because of this Toot’s… read analysis of Gramps

Hussein Onyango Obama

Onyango was Barack’s grandfather, a Kenyan man of the Luo people. Most remember him as an exacting, mean, and difficult man—he carried heavy wooden sticks with which to hit any misbehaving people, adults and… read analysis of Hussein Onyango Obama

Auma

Auma is Barack’s older half-sister; her mother is Kezia and her father is the Old Man. A beautiful, bright woman, Auma is studying in Germany when she and Barack first meet. Barack feels… read analysis of Auma

Roy/Abongo

Roy is Barack’s half-brother and the Old Man’s eldest child. He’s close with his sister Auma, but not as close with his brothers Abo and Bernard since they didn’t grow up together… read analysis of Roy/Abongo

Toot

Toot is Barack’s maternal grandmother, Ann’s mother, and Gramps’s wife. She insists on being called Toot—short for tutu, or “grandmother” in Hawaiian—because when Barack was born, she felt too young to be… read analysis of Toot

Ann

Ann is Barack’s mother and Gramps and Toot’s daughter. She is a white woman who is originally from Kansas, although the family moved all over the United States during her childhood. Ann met… read analysis of Ann

Lolo

Lolo is Ann’s second husband whom she married when Barack was about six years old. Lolo is a handsome Indonesian man, and he and Ann met in Hawaii. Then, he spoke about helping Indonesia… read analysis of Lolo

Frank

Frank is an elderly Black man who plays poker with Gramps. While many of the other men in their poker group are silent, Frank, a former poet of some renown, is vocal and sometimes… read analysis of Frank

Reverend Wright

Reverend Wright is the imposing, charismatic reverend of Trinity Church in Chicago. He and his church have a reputation among Chicago’s clergy for being too radical, too focused on scholarship, and too upwardly mobile—but Barack… read analysis of Reverend Wright

Sayid

Sayid is one of Barack’s uncles in Kenya. He is Granny’s son and the Old Man’s youngest half-brother. Sayid is large, clean-shaven, and welcoming. He introduces Barack to the idea that in… read analysis of Sayid

Ruth

Ruth is the Old Man’s third wife whom he met at Harvard. She followed him to Kenya, where they married and had two sons, Mark and David. A white American woman, Ruth doesn’t… read analysis of Ruth

Rafiq

Rafiq is the president of the Roseland Unity Coalition, which endeavors to help Roseland’s Black residents take over local businesses. The Coalition was instrumental in electing Harold Washington. Shirley explains to Barack that Rafiq… read analysis of Rafiq

Deacon Will Milton

Will is a large Black man who works with Marty. Though Will calls himself a deacon and wears a collar, he’s not actually ordained. He turned to the church after being laid off from… read analysis of Deacon Will Milton

Marty Kaufman

Marty, a Jewish organizer on the South Side of Chicago, is Barack’s boss when he moves to Chicago. Marty looks constantly rumpled, but he’s smart and dedicated to his work. He hires Barack because… read analysis of Marty Kaufman

Harold Washington

Harold Washington is the first Black mayor of Chicago; he was elected in 1983, mere months before Barack moved to Chicago to organize with Marty. Washington only appears in person once in the memoir… read analysis of Harold Washington

Aunt Sarah

Aunt Sarah is the Old Man’s older sister. Although she was traumatized when their mother, Akumu, abandoned them as children, Sarah remained loyal to their mother for the rest of her life. In… read analysis of Aunt Sarah

Granny

Granny is one of Barack’s grandmothers and one of Onyango’s three wives. She’s a large woman with eyes that constantly sparkle, and she’s very affectionate with her grandchildren. Granny speaks very little English… read analysis of Granny

Akumu

Akumu is one of Onyango’s wives and the biological mother of the Old Man. From the very beginning, she resented her marriage to Onyango—she’d been promised to another man whom she would have… read analysis of Akumu

Sadie

Sadie is a young mother in the Chicago parents’ group with which Barack works. She, like the other parents, lives in Altgeld. However, unlike most of the other parents, Sadie is married and highly religious… read analysis of Sadie

Regina

Regina is a Black student whom Barack meets at Occidental College. She’s a few years older and beautiful; she wears homemade dresses and tinted glasses. Regina is the first person Barack meets at college who… read analysis of Regina

Dr. Rukia Odero

Rukia is a history professor and former friend of the Old Man’s. She enlightens Barack as to why so many Black Americans end up disillusioned with Africa: they expect a precolonial experience and tend… read analysis of Dr. Rukia Odero

Bernard

Bernard is Barack’s younger brother, Kezia and the Old Man’s son. Bernard and Abo were born to Kezia after the Old Man had already married Ruth, so even though they’re full siblings… read analysis of Bernard

Ray

A Black boy originally from Los Angeles, Ray is Barack’s best friend in high school. He’s two years older and often talks about his cool former life in L.A. He introduces Barack to the… read analysis of Ray

Abo

Abo is one of Barack’s younger half brothers; he grew up with his mother Kezia and brother Bernard in Alego, but he didn’t know his full siblings Auma and Roy until he was older… read analysis of Abo

Marcus

Marcus is one of Barack’s best friends in college, whom Barack describes as “the most conscious of brothers.” He’s tall, elegant, and comfortable with his identity as a Black person. All of this makes… read analysis of Marcus

Yusuf

Yusuf is one of Barack’s uncles and the Old Man’s half brother. Granny is his mother. He’s slight and wears a moustache. Yusuf insists that the Luo are too stubborn and uneducated, as… read analysis of Yusuf

Sadik

Sadik is a friend who helps Barack find his way in New York City. Though Sadik takes a generally dim view of the idea that people can really make a difference in the city, he… read analysis of Sadik

Mark

Mark is one of Barack’s half brothers and the first son of the Old Man and Ruth. Mark had no issue with Ruth taking him and David away from Kenya upon her divorce… read analysis of Mark

Joyce

Joyce is a young Black woman whom Barack meets at Occidental. She’s proud of her multiracial heritage and has ancestors who are Italian, African, French, and Native American. However, she angrily asserts that she’s an… read analysis of Joyce

Reverend Philips

Reverend Philips is an elderly reverend in Chicago’s South Side who helps connect Barack with other pastors willing to help out with organizing efforts. Reverend Philips has white hair and a soothing voice. He educates… read analysis of Reverend Philips

Billy

Billy is a friend of Roy’s. His father was friends with the Old Man and, as children, Billy and Roy often went to the other’s father for advice instead of going to their own… read analysis of Billy

Asante

Asante is a guidance counselor in a Chicago high school. His goal is to introduce Black male students to Africa, as he believes that discovering Africa and connecting to their African roots can help Black… read analysis of Asante

David

David is one of Barack’s half brothers, and he’s the second son of the Old Man and Ruth. Following her divorce from the Old Man, Ruth took her sons to Europe with her… read analysis of David

Mr. Wilkerson

Mr. Wilkerson is an English doctor who, with his wife, goes on safari with Barack and Auma. He grew up in Kenya on a tea plantation and feels like Kenya is home, though he… read analysis of Mr. Wilkerson

Ruby

Ruby is a Black woman whom Barack meets during his interviews with people in Chicago. Barack takes a special interest in her teenage son, Kyle. Ruby initially gets involved with organizing after Kyle experiences… read analysis of Ruby

Johnnie

A native of the South Side, Johnnie is the assistant Barack hires after two years in Chicago. Johnnie is enthusiastic and is able to talk at length, bouncing from subject to subject, something Barack finds… read analysis of Johnnie

Mary

Mary is a white woman with an absent Black husband and biracial daughters whom Barack meets in Chicago through organizing. Barack knows little about her, as she’s a private and reserved person, but he knows… read analysis of Mary

Linda and Bernadette

Linda and Bernadette are two sisters living in Altgeld; they each have a young child and Linda is pregnant again. They dream of going to college, buying a beautiful home, and having a garden. To… read analysis of Linda and Bernadette

Dr. Collier

Dr. Collier is the principal of an elementary school in Chicago. She’s a stout Black woman who puts Barack in contact with her parents’ group, which is made up almost entirely of young mothers who… read analysis of Dr. Collier

Zeituni

Zeituni is one of the Old Man’s sisters and Barack’s aunt. She’s a beloved part of the Old Man’s extended family of former wives and sisters living in Nairobi and Alego. As a… read analysis of Zeituni

Francis

Francis is the driver and guide for Barack and Auma’s safari. His wife and children cultivate corn and coffee, and he’d rather farm than work for a travel agency. He’s open about how government… read analysis of Francis

Coretta

Coretta is the only other Black student at his school when Barack starts fifth grade in Hawaii. Barack reacts meanly toward her after other students tease them about being boyfriend and girlfriend, and he realizes… read analysis of Coretta

Reggie

Reggie is Barack’s college roommate. He, like Barack, likes to think of himself as a radical. He embarrasses Barack in front of Regina by recounting an all-weekend party he and Barack threw in the… read analysis of Reggie

Kyle

Kyle is Ruby’s teenage son. He reminds Barack of himself, so Barack takes a special interest in him and tries to encourage him to believe that he can have a bright future. Kyle, however… read analysis of Kyle

Minor Characters

Helima

Helima is Onyango’s first wife. She’s the first woman who can keep house to his standards, though they eventually discover that she cannot have children. Onyango, however, stays married to her, despite the fact that not being able to bear children is grounds for divorce.

Mr. Foster

Mr. Foster is the former head of a Chicago neighborhood Chamber of Commerce; he resigned a week before Barack, Angela, Shirley, and Mona went to meet with him. At the meeting, he explained that the Black business owners in the area struggle (or are unwilling) to work together.

Tim

Tim is a classmate and friend of Barack’s in college. Barack sees Tim as the polar opposite of Marcus: Tim is Black, but he’s suburban, middle-class, and wears argyle sweaters. When Barack makes fun of how “white” Tim acts, Marcus calls Barack out.

Mr. Anderson

Mr. Anderson is the elderly project manager of Altgeld. A Black man who’s trying to hold onto the little bit of power he has, he proves an enemy when Altgeld residents discover that there might be asbestos in their apartments and Mr. Anderson avoids helping them.

Aunt Jane

Aunt Jane is one of Barack’s paternal aunts. She is the one to call Barack with the news that the Old Man died, though Barack doesn’t meet her in person until years later when he visits Kenya for the first time.

George

George is one of Barack’s younger half brothers. He is an elementary-age boy when Barack first visits Kenya and meets him.

Obama

Obama is Barack’s great-great grandfather and Onyango’s father. He was a beloved elder who disowned Onyango when Onyango adopted Western ways of dressing and conducting himself.

Omar

Omar is Barack’s uncle. He’s been in the United States for about 25 years when Barack travels to Kenya for the first time, and their relatives in Kenya refer to Omar as “lost” since he has left the fold of the family and doesn’t intend to return.

Dr. King

Dr. King is the principal at Asante’s school. He seems eager and genuinely willing to help with a program that they’re organizing—but Johnnie and Barack discover that he really just wants the proposed youth outreach organization to hire his wife and his daughter.

Dorsila

Dorsila is one of Onyango’s last surviving siblings. She’s in her seventies but seems young and innocent to Barack. Dorsila walks all the way from her village to visit with Barack and offers several insights into their family.

Angela

Angela is one of the Black women who works with Marty. She’s thrilled to have Barack on board, but she, like Shirley and Mona, soon become disillusioned with Marty. She continues to work with Barack after Marty leaves Chicago.

Jeff

Jeff is a white friend of Barack and Ray’s. He plays on the basketball team at their high school. After Ray invites him and Scott to a Black party, Jeff tells Barack that he now understands how hard it must be to be the only Black kids at school.

Shirley

Shirley is one of the Black women who works with Marty. She continues to work with Barack after Marty leaves Chicago.

Mona

Mona is one of the Black women who works with Marty. She continues to work with Barack after Marty leaves Chicago.

Smitty

Smitty is a Black barber in Chicago. He cuts Barack’s hair and gives him a history lesson on Harold Washington’s election.

Ms. Alvarez

Ms. Alvarez is the city-wide administrator of the Mayor’s Office of Employment and Training.

Reverend Smalls

Reverend Smalls is a Chicago reverend who consistently pushes back on Barack and Marty’s attempts to organize the city’s churches.

Reverend Reynolds

Reverend Reynolds is a Chicago reverend who is one of the first people to invite Barack to work with his church and the local ministerial alliance.

Miss Omoro

Miss Omoro is a British Airways employee working in Nairobi. She recognizes Barack as the Old Man’s son, a thrilling experience for Barack.

Amy

Amy is a Kenyan woman whom Roy announces he’s going to marry. Auma and Kezia dislike Amy; they believe that she’s irresponsible and brings out Roy’s worst qualities.

Elizabeth

Elizabeth is Francis’s teenage niece; she accompanies Barack and Auma on their safari.

Maya

Maya is Obama’s younger half-sister. She’s Ann’s daughter with Lolo.

Scott

Scott is a white friend of Barack and Ray’s. He plays on the basketball team.

Hasan

Hasan is Barack’s college roommate.

Kezia

Kezia is one of Barack’s aunts and the Old Man’s first wife. She is the mother to Auma, Roy, Bernard, and Abo.

Salina

Salina is Billy’s mother, a tall and handsome woman.

Michelle

Michelle is Barack’s wife. She’s an instant hit with his Hawaiian and Kenyan families.

Dreams from My Father Characters