Shofizul Izza - American Dream As Reflected in Barrack Hussein Obama's Biography

AMERICAN DREAMS AS REFLECTED
IN BARRACK HUSSEIN OBAMAS BIOGRAPHY

THE AUDACITY OF HOPE
Final Project
Submitted as a Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement

to Obtain Sarjana Sastra Degree in College of Languages
By:
Shofiyul Izza
082070025
SULTAN AGUNG ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF LANGUAGES
SEMARANG
2012
i
APPROVAL
A Final Project on English Literature

Prepared and Presented by

Shofiyul Izza
082070025
Approved by:
Didik Murwantono, S. S., M. Hum Semarang, 11 October 2012

First Advisor
Afina Murtiningrum, S. S., M. M., M. A Semarang, 11 October 2012

Second Advisor
ii
VALIDATION
A Final Project on English Literature

Prepared and Presented by

Shofiyul Izza
082070025
Defended before the Board of Examiners

On October 2012
And Declared Acceptable
Board of Examiners
Chairman : Didik Murwantono, S.S., M.Hum
Secretary : Afina Murtiningrum, S.S., M.M., M.A
Member : Prof. Dr. Warsono, M.A.
Semarang, 11 October 2012
College of Languages UNISSULA
Dean,
Drs. Widiyanto, M. Si., Ph. D.
iii
STATEMENT
Hereby, I honestly declare that the final project I wrote does not contain the works
or part of works of other people, except those which were cited in the quotation
and the references, as a scientific paper should. If my statement is not valid in the
future, I absolutely agree to accept an academic sanction in the form of revocation
of my paper and my degree obtained from that paper.
Semarang, 25 September 2012
Shofiyul Izza
iv
MOTTO
In life, Allah doesnt give me the people I want:
Instead He gives me the people I needto teach me,
to hurt me and to make me exactly the way I should be.
Allah is my silent partner:
Who has created, Who guides meWho feeds and gives me drink
Who cures meWho will cause me to die and then will bring me to life
(again)And Who, I hope will forgive me for my faults on the Day of
Recompense, (the Day of Resurrection) [Ash-Shuar: 78-82].
Diversity is Blessings
Fabiayyi aalaa i robbikumaa tukadzdzibaan
Then which of the blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men)
deny? [Ar-Rahman}.
v
DEDICATION
This Final Project is dedicated to:
My beloved parents Muntiah & Ahmad Rodhi, my seven brothers & sisters and one
half-sister, my brothers & sisters in-law, my five nieces and nine nephews.
Every prayer of yours is the strength which leads my efforts and becomes blessing for
my life, I love you so much
My dearest heart Ali Murtando, SE
Because you love me I can open up my eyes to the much brighter future. With you
and your love, I have found new joys that were not mine before; new stars have
lightened up my sky with glories growing more and more. Because you love me I may
learn the highest endeavors to Jannah
My advisors Pak Didik thanks for the topic decided to me, and Miz Fina thousand
thanks are addressed for your time and patience that given to me. My beloved
lecturers Miss Muna, Miss Dezta, Miss Nani, Miss Rina, Pak Haris, Pak Muhid,
Pak Lilik and Mr. Glenn: thanks for the encouragements. Pak Har, thank you for all
teaching opportunities. Prof. Warsono, my first examiner thanks for the advice.
My teachers of life: Pak Jafar and the big family of Bu Marni and Pak Kirman.
Staff Collasula: Mr. Ridwan, Mas Heru, Mas Catur, Mbak Tita, Pak Rohan, Pak
Fauzi and Mas Imam thanks for giving the best-service and joyful time, keep crazy
and happy ^_^
Institutions: LPDU, PTDI Unisa, Cilad UPT Bahasa.
SAEC, your companion is really meaningful especially the first time you all came to
my house, supporting for my second chance of life.
Keep moving guys! No regret! No surrender! ^_^
My dear friends: icha, mimi n the geng, ayis, bang ashar, jenk jumy, dek piti, nenek
zidnil, mbah popo, oma tiwi, jenkElin, ita, nay, cimel, my classmates and all names
that I can not mention one by one. Thanks for the friendship and companion
Literature students.
Life and Death of mine.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
Alhamdulillah, this study is finally finished. Peace Be Upon
Muhammad Shallallahu Alaihi Wassalam who always gives the best
grace and guidance. The writer realizes that she could not have finished
this final project without any help from many parties. Therefore, in this
opportunity, the writer would like to say thanks to the following:
1. Prof. DR. Laode M. Kamaluddin, M.Sc., M.Eng. as the Rector of
Sultan Agung Islamic University.
2. Drs. Widiyanto, M.Si., Ph.D. as the Dean of College of Languages
Sultan Agung Islamic University.
3. Mr. Didik Murwantono, S.S., M.Hum. as my major advisor, who has
guided and encouraged me to do the research.
4. Mrs. Afina Murtiningrum, S.S., M.M., M.A. as my second advisor and
examiner, who has been very patient in guiding me to finish this
study.
5. Prof. Dr. Warsono, M.A. as my first examiner, who gives useful
advice.
6. My lovely parents, my dear brothers and sisters, my cute nephews and
nieces, who always hope and pray the best for me.
7. My beloved Ali Murtando, S.E., who loves and supports me.
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8. My special friends icha, mimi n the geng, ayis, bang ashar, jenk
jumy, dek piti, nenek zidnil, mbah popo, oma tiwi, jenkElin, ita, nay,
cimel, and my classmates,
The writer realizes that this final project is far from perfection but
she does hope that this study can be useful for the readers and give benefit
to the people who like doing autobiography research and using historical
approach.
Semarang, 25 September 2012
The writer
viii
TABLE OF CONTENT
COVER .............................................................................................. i
APPROVAL ....................................................................................... ii
VALIDATION ................................................................................... iii
STATEMENT ..................................................................................... iv
MOTTO............................................................................................... v
DEDICATION .................................................................................... vi
ACKNOWLEDGMENT ................................................................... vii
TABLE OF CONTENT .................................................................... ix
LIST OF FIGURE ............................................................................. xii
ABSTRACT ....................................................................................... xiii
ABSTRAKSI ....................................................................................... xiv
BAB I : INTRODUCTION
A. Background for Choosing the Subject ........................... 1
B. Scope of the Study ......................................................... 8
C. Problem Formulation ..................................................... 8
D. Objective of Study ......................................................... 8
E. Significance of Study ..................................................... 9
F. Presentation of Study ..................................................... 9
BAB II : REVIEWS OF LITERATURE
A. Synopsis .......................................................................... 11
1. Republican and Democrats......................................... 11
ix
2. Values ......................................................................... 12
3. Constitution ............................................................... 13
4. Politics ........................................................................ 14
5. Opportunity ............................................................... 15
6. Faith ........................................................................... 16
7. Race ............................................................................ 17
8. The World beyond Our Borders ................................. 18
9. Family ........................................................................ 18
B. Related Theories ............................................................ 19
1. Multiculturalism in American Society ...................... 19
2. American Cultural Traits ........................................... 21
Self-Made Man ................................................... 22
CompetitiveHard Work .................................. 23
3. American Dreams (Rags to the Riches) ..................... 25
C. Autobiography Literary Criticism .................................. 27
BAB III : METHOD OF INVESTIGATION
A. Object of the Study ......................................................... 31
B. Types of the Data ........................................................... 31
C. Data Collecting Method ................................................. 32
BAB IV : DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
A. The Audacity of Hope in American Dreams
Among Multiculturalism Society ................................... 34
A.1. An Audacity of Hope in Achieving Dreams ........... 34
x
A.2. Outstanding Obamas Biography
toward American Dreams ...................................... 37
A.3. Historical Approach
toward The Audacity of Hope ............................... 47
B. Reveal The Audacity of Hope as Thoughts on Reclaiming
The American Dreams ................................................... 53
B.1. Values ..................................................................... 53
B.2. Opportunity ............................................................ 59
B.3. Faith ........................................................................ 65
B.4. Race ........................................................................ 73
BAB V : SUGGESTIONS AND CONCLUSSIONS
A. Conclusions ...................................................................... 78
B. Suggestions ....................................................................... 79
xi
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 ........................................................................................................... 3
Figure 2 ............................................................................................................ 10
Figure 3 ............................................................................................................ 22
Figure 4 ........................................................................................................... 25
Figure 5 ........................................................................................................... 38
Figure 6 ............................................................................................................ 38
Figure 7 ........................................................................................................... 41
Figure 8 ........................................................................................................... 42
Figure 9 ............................................................................................................ 43
Figure 10 .......................................................................................................... 57
Figure 11 .......................................................................................................... 68
Figure 12 .......................................................................................................... 69
Figure 13 .......................................................................................................... 71
Figure 14 .......................................................................................................... 72
Figure 15 .......................................................................................................... 72
Figure 16 ......................................................................................................... 74
xii
ABSTRACT

Shofiyul Izza
This final project discusses and analyzes Barrack Hussein Obamas

biography The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream
and American dreams: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. This study is
aimed to prove the existence of the correlation among Obamas biography mainly
in chapter II (Values), V (Opportunity), VI (Faith) and chapter VII (Race), with
American dreams in multiculturalism society. This academic writing centers on
why and how those chapters reflect the American dreams which are able to
accommodate all diversitiesrace, ethnic, culture and gender. The Audacity of
Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream that becomes the object of
this study is analyzed descriptively with historical approach and supported by the
data from books, articles and siteswhich are allowed in academic writing, and
talk show with members of The United States Embassy. The result of this final
project shows that the second Obamas biography, the first colored man who
becomes the U.S. President, has a connection to the American dreams: Life,
Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. It is like the philosophy of American Statue,
Liberty, which means everyone has a full right to live in American land. The
freedom is also involved in American amendment. From the result, it can be
concluded that to get the freedom itself, people in America must possess
American traits: Individualism, Self-Made Man, Competitive and Work Hard. It is
also concluded that Obamas writing is one of proofs the diversities in America
race, ethnic, culture and gender from immigrants around the worldare not the
obstacles to reach the true American dreams. Besides, this final project sums up
that dreams will always be able to achieve as the dreams are endeavored by
revering historical values. Meanwhile, biography and/or autobiography can be one
of unique, smart, intellectual and professional ways to introduce person including
the thoughts.
Keywords: American Dreams, Values, American Cultural Traits.
xiii
ABSTRAKSI

Shofiyul Izza
Skripsi ini membahas dan menganalisis tentang biografi Barrack Hussein

Obama The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream
dan impian Amerika: Hidup (Life), Kebebasan (Liberty) dan Pengejaran
Kesenangan (the Pursuit of Happiness). Studi ini ditujukan guna membuktikan
adanya korelasi antara kandungan tulisan Presiden ke-44 Amerika Serikat
tersebut, terutama bab II (Values), V (Opportunity), VI (Faith) dan VII (Race),
dengan impian-impian Amerika di tengah kondisi masyarakat Amerika yang
multikultural. Adapun permasalahan yang dibahas dalam penelitian ini adalah
mengenai mengapa dan bagaimana bab-bab dalam biografi Presiden Amerika
berkulit warna pertama itu merefleksi impian-impian Amerika yang mampu
mencakup semua perbedaan yang adaras, etnik, budaya dan gender. The
Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream yang
merupakan objek studi, dianalisis secara deskriptif dengan menggunakan
pendekatan sejarah serta didukung dengan data-data dari buku, artikel, sumber
internetyang diperbolehkan dalam penulisan akademik, dan talk show dengan
pihak kedutaan Amerika. Hasil dari penelitian menunjukkan bahwa biografi ke-2
Obama tersebut memiliki hubungan erat dengan impian-impian Amerika: Hidup
(Life), Kebebasan (Liberty) dan Pengejaran Kesenangan (the Pursuit of
Happiness). Hal ini sesuai dengan filosofi simbol patung Liberti tentang
kebebasan dan sesuai dengan apa yang tertera dalam amandemen Konstitusi
Amerika Serikat bahwa rakyat Amerika memiliki hak penuh dalam hidup di
negaranya. Sementara untuk mendapat hak penuh itu sendiri, warga Amerika
harus memiliki karakteristik kebudayaan Amerika: individual (Self-Made Man)
dan bekerja keras (Competitive-Work Hard). Dari hasil studi, dapat disimpulkan
bahwa tulisan Obama tengah menjadi salah satu bukti perbedaan yang ada di
Amerikaras, etnik, budaya dan gender yang berasal dari berbagai imigran di
seluruh Negaratidak menjadikan halangan untuk meraih impian-impian sejati
Amerika Serikat. Selain itu, dapat juga disimpulkan bahwa impian-impian akan
selalu terwujud ketika impian tersebut diupayakan dengan tetap menjunjung tinggi
nilai-nilai luhur sejarah. Sementara biografi dan/atau pun autobiografi bisa
dijadikan salah satu cara orang memperkenalkan diri beserta pemikiran-
pemikirannya dengan unik, cerdas dan professional.
Kata kunci: Impian Amerika (American Dreams), Nilai-nilai (Values),

Karakteristik Kebudayaan Amerika (American Cultural Traits).
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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
A. Background For Choosing The Subject
Most people in the world sometimes feel bored with their daily lives
and look for another place which is promising to give them prosperity and
satisfaction. Some of them visit countries such as Saudi Arabia, Thailand,
Japan, etc, to flip up. As a super power country, America is the most
wanted country to go. America which is known as the United States has
promising characteristics for those who are trying fortune and freedom. In
many aspects like education, social and even politic, this country becomes
the reference. Therefore, people the whole world are dreaming and
expecting to make their lives better there, and it creates multiculturalism
because every immigrant brings his or her own culture and influences the
environment. The history of immigration in America started in the 15th
until in the middle of the19th century makes this country as one of the
greatest countries in the world and it has many disparities background
such as cultures, religions and ethnics. During the progress of America
from agrarian society into urbanized one, those immigrants from the entire
world bring the diversities. The diversity itself also came up because there
were some phases of this country in achieving a label as an independent
and a modern nation. This condition creates America as a multicultural
country, even it is the largest multicultural country in the world today.
1
2
The term multiculturalism emerged in the 1960s in Anglophone
countries in relation to the cultural needs of non-European migrants. It
now means the political accommodation by the state and/or a dominant
group of all minority cultures defined first and foremost by reference to
race or ethnicity; and more controversially, by reference to nationality,
aboriginality, or religion, the latter being groups that tend to make larger
claims and so tend to resist having their claims reduced to those of
immigrants (http://www.answers.com/topic/multiculturalism).
As we know that the first immigrants in America were European;
Spanish and French. While in 1607, English found their first settlement in
Virginia colony and pursued around 20.000 puritans arrived in Plymouth,
Massachusetts. Immigrants from West Africa came to America in colonial
era by being black slaves, then in the middle of 1800s Asian started to
migrate and live there. The last was in the middle of 19th century, Irish
and German immigrants went to America. Those people had colored
American land with their cultures and purposes. In the colonial era which
was more secular and commercial, Puritans as religious group often
confronted the patron drinking ale in New England. Then the black
population was the first group which was treated as slaves. This gives an
assumption among them that theirs were better even the best and others
were bad and/or the worst. It is just like a descending disease then the
stereotype is set in American people, probably, till now. (An Outline of
American History: 1994, 110-127; http://endtimepilgrim.org/puritans.htm).

3
Picture 1
A devout Puritan elder confronts patrons drinking ale outside a tavern.
Tension between the strictly religious puritans, who first settled the
region, and the more secular and commercial population were
characteristic of the colonial era in New England (An Outline of
American History: 1994, 112).
Meanwhile, in (http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/multiculturalism/)
Will Kymlicka (1995) coins the term multiculturalism as a body of
thought in political philosophy about the proper way to respond to cultural
and religious diversity.
Multiculturalism in America has wide effects. It not only brings
about a change of social side, but also makes the citizen enjoy equal rights
and liberty. It has a dominant theme in educational and intellectual layers.
This leads to the demand for rights from people of various communities
and backgrounds. Suppression of classes like gays, lesbians, and
downtrodden people also will get their rights.
The most prominent effect was felt in reformation of the educational
system. Oppressed classes, like the African-Americans were given equal
recognition in educational institutions. In business, trade and corporate

4
sectors, equal participation right was given to people from different
backgrounds (http://www.buzzle.com/articles/multiculturalism-in-
america.html).
On other hand, the case in multiculturalism which creates
discrimination even suppression among American society has become a
spirit for those who are underestimated and oppressed the way to manage
break down their condition, and they convey the audacity of hope to
achieve American dreams. As it is stated in An Outline of American
History (Martin Luther King Jr., 1963: 304): I have a dream that one day
on the red hills of Georgia, sons of former slaves and the sons of former
slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
From the matter above, it is undeniable that American dreams
actually have readily existed since the United States of America had not
been an independent and modern nation. Further, in January 1776, a
political theorist and writer, Thomas Paine who had come to America from
England in 1774, published a 50-page pamphlet, Common Sense. Within
three months, 100.000 copies were sold. He presented the alternatives
continued submission to a tyrannical king and an outworn government, or
liberty and happiness as a self-sufficient, independent republic. At that
time, Common Sense helped to crystallize the desire for separation. (An
Outline of American History, 1994: 72-73).
What Thomas Paine did was a literary work because Common Sense
is included in a prose form. In ordinary prose, the aim is to communicate

5
ones thoughts and feelings (Subrahmaniam, K. et al, 6). Meanwhile,
another form of prose which is interesting to be discussed in English
Literature is an autobiography. As we know that many persons are tickle to
be known from their life story, whatever background of lives they have:
authors, musicians, politicians, and even a criminal who have repented can
make a curiosity to the public. Therefore, an autobiography is an
interesting thing in prose discussion and analysis.
Autobiography is a branch of biographical literature written in
subjective prose. It is always incomplete as it is the story of a person who
writes it him/herself. It is usually written at a later stage in life. The events
are recollected either in chronological sequence or at random, moving
back and forth in time. However, all autobiographies are not written when
the author is old (Subrahmaniam, K. et al, unit 28: 22).
In autobiography the writers or the autobiographers are given free
opportunity to share mainly their confession about personality life. As it is
said in a dictionary (Websters Collegiate Thesaurus, 63) that
autobiography is one of the synonyms of confession. Autobiography uses
the first pronoun I and sometimes we cannot find it as often as
biography form because it is written randomly. The autobiographers may
recall only a half of their childhoods story or even only write a piece of
events which occurred in their teenage.
Furthermore, autobiography appears when it is needed and created
when the object is starting to be famous or even he/she has just become the
6
current person to be talked about. The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on
Reclaiming The American Dream written by Barrack Hussein Obama has
a curiosity to be analyzed because the author, Barrack Hussein Obama,
was endeavoring to pass the stipulation of Presidential Election among
multiculturalism society. As a fresh politician, he needs to introduce
himself to the public, and then he wrote The Audacity of Hope. Obama as
the 44th president of America comes from colored race, but he can prove
what Martin Luther king Jr. dreamt of.
Barrack Hussein Obama or in Indonesia he was known as Barry
Soetoro is a unique person. He is the first African American who resides at
The White House as president and breaks down the racial tension. He
himself even stated that his family is mini United-Nations; as we know
that he was born and raised by diversity of nations, religions and beliefs.
His book, The Audacity of Hope which was released in October 17, 2006
is a reflection of American dreams because he discusses bravely about his
journey in involving himself as politician, a citizen, and a doer of being
racist among American society.
The Audacity of Hope is an unusual blend of autobiography and
policy analysis that veers far from the boilerplate, often ghostwritten
biographies that many politicians release in the years leading up to a major
campaign. In it, Obama recounts his unique childhood and the insight that
his racially mixed heritage and the experience of living in a number of
exotic locales instilled in him. He also discusses in great detail virtually

7
every major political issue facing the American electorate today, offering
his opinion and possible strategies for reform
(http://www.ontheissues.org/audacity_of_hope.htm).
In his prologue of this book which consists of nine chapters in 288
pages, as he has been in political office for almost ten years, Obama states
that wherever he went, he would get some version of the same two
questions: Whered you get that funny name?, and/or You seem like a
nice enough guy. Why do you want to go into something dirty and nasty
like politics? (2008: 3). Those questions did not make Obama down but
on the contrary, he keeps struggling for freedom, American dreams, that
everyone has rights in Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.
I maintain, however, that in todays America such prejudices

are far more loosely held than they once were-and hence are
subject to refutation. A black teenage boy walking down the
street may elicit a fear in a white couple, but if he turns out to
be their sons friend from school he may be invited over for
dinner. A black man may have trouble catching a cab late at
night, but if he is a capable software engineer Microsoft will
have no qualms about hiring him.
(The Audacity of Hope, 2008: 278)
From the background above, therefore this study would like to
analyze American Dreams as Reflected in Barrack Hussein Obamas
Biography The Audacity of Hope. This final project is made to fulfill
the requirement of the degree of S1 majoring in English Literature at
College of Languages of Sultan Agung Islamic University (UNISSULA).

8
B. Scope of the Study
This final project centers on the existence of American dreams in
multiculturalism society reflected in Barrack Hussein Obamas biography
The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream,
mainly in chapter II (Values), V (Opportunity), VI (Faith), and chapter VII
(Race) of the book. Also, this study will point out the discussion about the
thoughts of that autobiography along the historical approach towards
American dreams: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.
C. Problem Formulation
1. How does The Audacity of Hope reflect American dreams in a
multiculturalism society?
2. How are American dreams such as Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of
Happiness described in The Audacity of Hope?
D. Objective of Study
Based on the background for choosing the subject, the objectives of
this study can be stated as follows:
1. To explain how The Audacity of Hope reflects American dreams in a
multiculturalism society.
2. To describe how the American dreams are in The Audacity of Hope
along the historical approach towards American dreams: Life, Liberty,
and the Pursuit of Happiness.

9
E. Significance of Study
This final project is made to give benefits. First, the results of this
study is expected to be useful for students of College of Languages of
Sultan Agung Islamic University mainly Literature students, who are
attracted in American study and American history especially the American
dreams among multiculturalism society. It is also hoped that this study is
useful for those interested to do further research in autobiography. Second,
this final project can hopefully give some positive influences to the
readers, to be more optimistic in creating and achieving the dreams among
diversities.
F. Presentation of the Study
This final project is divided into five chapters, excluding the
bibliography. The first chapter is the introduction which contains the
background for choosing the subject, limitation of the problem, problem
formulation, objective of the study, the significance of the study, and
presentation of the final project. The second chapter is the review of
literature which includes the synopsis of The Audacity of Hope as the
object of this final project, related theories including the explanation about
multicultural phenomenon in America, American traits and American
dreams seen from historical approach, and autobiographical literary
criticism. The third chapter is method of investigation; it deals with objects
of the study, type of data, method of collecting data, and method of

10
analyzing data. The fourth chapter is about discussion and the data
analysis to answer the problems of the research. The last chapter will
explain about conclusions and suggestions.
Picture 2
The Cover of Obamas second biography The Audacity of Hope:
Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream, as the object of this study.
It is taken from (http://www.amazon.com/The-Audacity-Hope-Thoughts-
Reclaiming/dp/0307237699).
CHAPTER II
REVIEWS OF LITERATURE
A. Synopsis
The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream
was released in October 17, 2006, and has 288 pages is the second writing
(read: book) which Barrack Hussein Obama wrote. The first book is
Dreams from My Father. In creating this second book, according to
Obama is harder than the previous one. As it is stated in Obama in his
Own Words (2008: 37) about writing the books: .In another side,
writing The Audacity of Hope is at the same level as my daily job: try to
manage the matters that we face as a nation and give a private identity in
it (Amazon 20-second Interview, October 2006).
This autobiography captures nine chapters. Those chapters are
Republicans and Democrats, Values, Our Constitution, Politics,
Opportunity, Faith, Race, The World Beyond Our Borders, and Family.
The synopsis of those chapters is followed:
1. Republicans and Democrats
In this chapter, Obama alternates an account of the unusual
campaign that ultimately resulted in his election as the junior Illinois
senator with a discussion of the factors that have fostered an atmosphere of
severe partisan division in Washington. He notes that according to his own
11
12
observations, as well as the accounts offered by veteran lawmakers,
Congress was not always as intractably divided as it is today. Obama
contends that in the past, lawmakers were more willing to overlook their
differences in the service of compromise and the public good, and that
intra-party working relationships were more apt to be characterized by
decorum, collegiality, and genuine fellow-feeling. As such, Obama
disagrees with the conventional wisdom that Democrats need to develop a
more coherent stance against their Republican opponents. Rather, he
contends that the public has long grown weary of partisan rancor. In order
to begin winning back the trust and admiration of the American people,
Obama exhorts his Democratic colleagues to focus on a strategy of
reconciliation and cooperation with their Republican counterparts, while
remaining true to the core ideals of the party. (The Audacity of Hope,
2006: 17-52; http://www.amazon.com/The-Audacity-Hope-Thoughts-
2. Values
Obama acknowledges that many Americans feel that politicians have
lost their moral compasses. However, while he makes no excuses for
blatant acts of ill will, bribery, or corruption, he contends that the political
system itself makes it very difficult for politicians to remain true to their
values. In this age of constant scrutiny and 24-hour news cycles, even the
smallest, most seemingly trivial action on the part of a politician can be

13
posted to the Internet and held up for criticism. Obama calls for a return to
a political sphere in which ideas, values, and action plans matter more
than, for example, type of mustard a candidate requests at a restaurant. He
contends that the Democrats recent loss of power in Congress and other
elected offices have left the party particularly vulnerable to these kinds of
issues. Obama claims that many Democrats have morphed into caricatures
of themselves, and that part of this charade has been the propagation of
even more divisiveness with the Republicans. He concludes that a
successful political system demands compromise and collaboration, and
that those factions that decry political compromise are too consumed with
strategy and minor victories to be truly interested in the overarching
benefit of the nation. (The Audacity of Hope, 2006: 53-84;
http://www.amazon.com/The-Audacity-Hope-Thoughts-
3. Constitution
As a scholar of constitutional law, Obama brings a unique
perspective to the recent debate surrounding the correct approach to
interpreting and applying the tenets of the Constitution. He frames his
discussion of the Constitution with an account of his first weeks as a
senator in Washington, during which time he became acquainted with
many of the old-guard lawmakers who, he found, displayed a reverence for
the Constitution that was often unmatched in their younger counterparts.

14
One particularly troubling manifestation of this irreverence was the debate
over the filibustering of President Bushs judicial nominees, which Obama
regarded as a low point in recent Congressional history. He positions
himself as a lawmaker who recognizes the historical significance of the
Constitution, but who feels it is a living document that must be applied
flexibly in order to remain relevant in an ever-changing world. (The
Audacity of Hope, 2006: 85-120; http://www.amazon.com/The-Audacity-
Hope-Thoughts-Reclaiming/dp/0307237699).
4. Politics
In this chapter, Obama continues his discussion of the ways in which
the political process itself makes it difficult for politicians to remain true to
their values. He recounts his awkward early encounters with potential
donors, as well as the pitfalls associated with seeking out the endorsements
of special interest groups. Both of these groups often regard their support
as a guarantee that the candidate will unfailingly endorse their pet issues.
However, in order to increase the efficacy of the political process, Obama
asserts that political candidates should not vow their loyalty to any special
interest group. While he regards it as acceptable and perhaps even
inevitable that some general promises of support and ideological
compatibility are necessary to attain the funding and endorsement
necessary to mount a successful campaign, Obama contends that
politicians must instead pledge to carefully consider each issue and

15
propose bill as it arises, on an individual, case-by-case basis. He also
exhorts his colleagues to loosen their grip on the trappings of power in
order to foster the kind of dynamic, discursive government that best serves
the needs of the constituency. (The Audacity of Hope, 2006: 121-161;
5. Opportunity
Obama devotes this chapter to a discussion of the U.S. economy and
the way that its evolution over time has impacted the social, cultural, and
political climate in the country. The senators upward trajectory placed
him in a position to have access to some of the wealthiest individuals and
most successful companies in the world. Ironically, Obamas sense that the
countrys economic and educational systems are failing the poor,
oppressed, and marginalized are confirmed by his meetings with some of
the most prominent, wealthy, and innovative individuals and teams. He
sets forth a number of practical solutions for reforming the nations public
schools, including merit-based pay for teachers and alternative schooling
formats. Most significantly, Obama insists on school reform efforts that
have been proven, either through prior implementation or through
empirical research. He also recounts his decision to forego the
convenience of traveling by corporate jet and being rewarded for this
move by having the opportunity to reconnect firsthand with constituents.

16
(The Audacity of Hope, 2006: 162-230; http://www.amazon.com/The-
Audacity-Hope-Thoughts-Reclaiming/dp/0307237699).
6. Faith
Delving back into the discussion about the polarity that has come to
characterize the American political sphere in recent years, Obama tackles
the issue of religious faith, focusing specifically on the origins and impact
of the Democratic Partys increasing discomfort with displays of religious
faith. According to Obama, as the GOP has become increasingly
associated with evangelical Christianity, Democrats have somewhat
automatically assumed the opposite position, and increasing numbers of
progressives seem willing to attack all reference to religion in
governmental contexts. Obama recounts his own journey from atheism to
faith, contending that the structure of religion has fortified and deepened
his moral convictions. Because of the high degree of religiosity reported in
polls of Americans, he contends that regaining a sense of ease with
religion is the only way that the Democrats will be able to connect with a
majority of the public. At the same time, Obama asserts the continued
importance of the separation of church and state, although he contends that
some of the recent instances of persecution of this principle, such as the
debate over the words under God in the Pledge of Allegiance, are
somewhat ridiculous. He concludes that faith could serve as a common
ground for future collaboration and cooperation between the two parties,
17
and that tolerance and respect for religious diversity is of paramount
importance. (The Audacity of Hope, 2006: 231-268;
7. Race
Obamas unique racial heritage; his mother was a white American,
while his father was Kenyan , and experience growing up in a number of
far-flung locales including the American Midwest, Hawaii, and Indonesia
have afforded him a unique vantage point in the continued discussion of
race in the United States. He is convinced that although great progress has
been made in the achievement of racial equality and the eradication of
institutionalized discrimination, the daily experiences of people of color
are still highly influenced by more subtle forms of prejudice. Some of this
prejudice, he contends, is not fundamentally race-based, but rather, is the
result of unfamiliarity and ignorance. In order to remove the vestiges of
the shameful legacy of racism that persist, Obama exhorts Americans to
respond to instances of racism with clear disapproval. At the same time, he
calls on people of color to give up the mantle of victimhood and
persecution that, he believes, limits their ability to reach their full
potential. (The Audacity of Hope, 2006: 267-319;
18
8. The World Beyond our Borders
Obama frames his discussion of international diplomacy, defense
strategy, and world affairs with an account of his own experience living
abroad in Indonesia, where he resided with his mother and Indonesian
stepfather for long stretches of his childhood. He contends that many
Americans are unjustifiably cut off from international affairs, having been
lulled into a sense of complacency and isolationism by decades in which
only the slow-moving brinksmanship of the superpowers engaged in the
Cold War was regarded as highly significant. Obama believes that the
United States defense budget and military strategy has not fully adapted
to the emerging state of world affairs. He proposes affording more
responsibility in international policing efforts to allies of America, and he
strongly asserts the need for multilateralism and cooperation in future
military efforts. Although Obama supported unilateral action in the wake
of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, he argues that the prosecution
of the Iraq war has been poorly handled. (The Audacity of Hope, 2006:
320-382; http://www.amazon.com/The-Audacity-Hope-Thoughts-
9. Family
In this chapter, Obama offers an autobiographical account of his own
family life, paired with a discussion of the unique challenges and obstacles
that face American families today. Due to changes in the affordability of

19
the accoutrements of middle-class life, many American families are forced
to have both parents working full-time outside of the home. This state of
affairs can be difficult for all family members, Obama notes, describing
his own familys struggles to maintain balance and assign responsibilities
fairly as he and his wife juggle personal and professional commitments.
Although he concedes that this situation is not ideal, Obama argues that
the Republicans who seek to impose a more traditional family structure are
not advancing a realistic solution. He abhors any attempt to legislate
personal morality and intimate life choices, while at the same time
recognizing that both supportive social policies and personal responsibility
are needed to allow children the unshakable foundation of stability and
structure that they need to thrive. (The Audacity of Hope, 2006: 383-415;
B. Related Theories
1. Multiculturalism in American Society
Multiculturalism is closely associated with identity politics, the
politics of difference, and the politics of recognition, all of which share
a commitment to revaluing disrespected identities and changing dominant
patterns of representation and communication that marginalize certain
groups (Young 1990; Taylor 1992, Gutmann 2003 cit.
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/multiculturalism/).
20
Here, it is showed that one of the bad effects of multicultural society
is eliminating certain group which they consider as a low community even
the lowest race. Multiculturalism is also a matter of economic interests and
political power; it demands remedies to economic and political
disadvantages that people suffer as a result of their minority status.
Still borrowing statements from Stanford Encyclopedia of
Philosophy; Multiculturalists take for granted that it is culture and
cultural groups that are to be recognized and accommodated. Yet
multicultural claims include a wide range of claims involving religion,
language, ethnicity, nationality, and race. Culture is a notoriously
overbroad concept, and all of these categories have been subsumed by or
equated with the concept of culture (Song 2008 cit.
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/multiculturalism/).
That phenomenon is ironic because color people are mostly the
victims of discriminating even oppressing community in racist tension.
This condition gives a limitation of freedom, therefore American people,
in colonial era, who like living in peace, kept dreaming to persuade the
happiness; liberty and life. Further, it is reflected in The Audacity of Hope
(2008: 395) Like most Americans, I consider decision about sex,
marriage, divorce, and childbearing to be highly personal-at the very core
of our system of individual liberty
Language and religion are at the heart of many claims for cultural
accommodation by immigrants. The key claim made by minority nations

21
is for self-government rights. Race has a more limited role in multicultural
discourse. Antiracism and multiculturalism are distinct but related ideas:
the former highlights victimization and resistance whereas the latter
highlights cultural life, cultural expression, achievements, and the like
(Blum 1992, 14 cit. http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/multiculturalism/).
Obama really has audacity of hope like what Americans have mainly
in choosing religion, they dream to be free choosing their beliefs. As we
know that he was raised in cultures and religions diversity but he bravely
stated in a speech related to his religious view:
Im a Christian by a choice. My family didnt-frankly, they

werent folks who went to church every week. And my mother
was one of the most spiritual people I knew, but she didnt
raise me in the church. So I came to Christian faith later in
life.
(President Barrack Obama, September 27, 2010)
This gives us a different new paradigm about multiculturalism that
actually multicultural condition can unite all dreams for better life. The
book entitled The Audacity of Hope is like bringing us to flashback the
dreams of American and it has figures out the American Dreams among
multiculturalism society.
2. American Cultural Traits
Character is one of basic things that make people understand about
something or someone. By knowing the character, we can learn how the
person or thing is. The United States of America which we recognize as a
super power country must have its own traits and values like Indonesia
22
that famous with its national slogan Unity in Diversity (Bhineka
Tunngal Ika), and its citizen who are friendly and kind. While with the
diversity of culture, ethnic and religion, America frees its citizen to have
equality of opportunity. Therefore, some values and traits are formed such
as Self-Made Man, Individualism, and Self-Reliant, Competitive and also
Hard Worker.
Self-Made Man Individualism Self-Reliant
Self-made Man is a prominent value in American life. In era of the
Gilded Age, this value was a spirit to pursue American dream. It is similar
to Individualism. Individualism in America has a meaning of
responsibility by your own-self (Nurwidyohening, W. et al, 290).
Picture 3
Picture of Benjamin Franklin
Some evidences which have proven Self-Made Man and/or
Individualism in America are a well-known literary work by Benjamin
Franklin. Wiwid Nurwidyohening et al (2012: 290) states that Benjamin

23
Franklins famous work of Autobiography gives American Motivation
bring about their dreams.
I have here, according to your Request, given you my present

Thoughts of the general State of Things in the Universe. Such
as they are, you have them, and are welcome to 'em; and if
they yield you any Pleasure or Satisfaction, I shall think my
Trouble sufficiently compensated. I know my Scheme will be
liable to many Objections from a less discerning Reader than
your self; but it is not design'd for those who can't understand
it. I need not give you any Caution to distinguish the
hypothetical Parts of the Argument from the conclusive: You
will easily perceive what I design for Demonstration, and what
for Probability only. The whole I leave entirely to you, and
shall value my self more or less on this account, in proportion
to your Esteem and Approbation.
(A Dissertation on Liberty and Necessity, Pleasure and Pain
http://www.historycarper.com/resources/twobf1/m7.htm)
Ben Franklin is also known as one of Americans fathers. Being
Self-Made Man, Individualism and/or Self-Reliant need a dynamic action,
and it is very effective if such action is done since young age.
Competitive Hard Worker
Furthermore, still borrowing Nurwidyohening, W. et al (291)
material wealth becomes a value to American people. The phrase going
from rags to riches becomes a slogan for the great American dream. It
means, if someone wants to get material wealth they must work hard and
this condition creates a competitive trait among Americans. Those kinds of
traits and values are addressed to all people in America, wherever and
whatever they are, in achieving American dreams: Life, Liberty and the
Pursuit of Happiness.
24
In this case, another example who represents the American trait is
Frederick Douglas. As a black writer, he must be the doer of struggling for
Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. His effort for freedom is seen
in his work Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. In the
autobiography of him (page 36-37), which had been a turning point for
setting him free from a slave showed:
Very soon after I went to live with Mr. and Mrs. Auld, she
very kindly commenced to teach me the A, B, C. After I had
learned this, she assisted me in learning to spell words of three
of four letters. Just at this point of my progress, Mr. Auld
found out what was going on, and at once forbade Mrs. Auld to
instruct me further, telling her, among other things, that it was
unlawful, as well as unsafe, to teach a slave to read. To use his
own words, further, he said, If you give a nigger an inch, he
will take an ell. A nigger should know nothing but to obey his
masterto do as he is told to do. Learning wouldspoilthe
best nigger in the world. Now, said he, if you teach that
nigger (speaking of myself) how to read, there would be no
keeping him. It would forever unfit him to be a slave. He
would at once become unmanageable, and of no value to his
master. As to himself, it could do him no good, but a great deal
of harm. It would make him discontented and unhappy. These
words sank deep into my heart, stirred up sentiments within
that lay slumbering, and called into existence an entirely new
train of thought. It was a new and special revelation,
explaining dark and mysterious things, with which my
youthful understanding had struggled in vain. I now
understood what had been to me a most perplexing difficulty
to wit, the white mans power to enslave the black man. It was
a grand achievement, and I prized it highly
(http://www2.hn.psu.edu/faculty/jmanis/f-douglas/Narrative-
Douglass.pdf).
After knowing such condition, Frederick Douglas kept struggling
and finally he was freed, enslaved, and now his work which is based on his
journey of life are inspiring Americans to get Life, Liberty and the Pursuit
of Happiness, American with competition and hard works.

25
Picture 4
Picture of Frederick Douglass (in An Outline of American History, 222).
3. American Dreams (Rags to the Riches)
It is like what Martin Luther King, Jr. conveyed, in An Outline of
American History (1836: 364), there is also a statement from President Bill
Clinton (1993): America, to endure, must changeChange to preserve
Americas ideals-life and liberty, the pursuit of happiness. Though we
march to the music of our time, our mission is timeless.
Talking about the pursuit of happiness, there is an American film
with the same title The Pursuit of Happiness which places Will Smith
and his own son as the main actors. The American film is about a real
story of a multimillionaire stockbroker in America, Christopher Gardner,
the owner of Christopher Gardner International Holdings. How his effort
as a black man who had invested all his money for buying Bone Density
Scanner, wanted to be rich person. He was left by his wife because of the
monetary crisis and his family felt to poverty. He decided to be single
parent and kept struggling to pursue the happiness, and as a payback of his
work, he is now having income USD 80.000/month and his company is the
26
biggest stock market in New York, Chicago and San Francisco.
(http://ichsan.wordpress.com/2007/03/22/the-pursuit-of-happiness/)
This real story gives a brief description about American dreams.
Christopher wanted to pursue his happiness because the poverty had seized
his happiness. He wanted to get liberty of his poverty and live in a proper
life with his son. Christopher Gardner is one of success persons foremost
as black person who keep struggling to achieve the dreams. This also
shows that competition in America motivates the people to be successful.
Nurwidyohening, W. et al (2012: 291) say that competitive success is
commonly seen as the American alternative to social rank; the more
successful a person is the higher his social status is.
According to Black Americans of Achievement-Legacy Edition,
Muhammad Ali, Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. Du Bois, Martin Luther
King, Jr., Bob Marley, Condoleezza Rice, Booker T. Washington, Oprah
Winfrey, and still many black Americans, could hold on and achieved their
dreams, Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
Their difference can give a power to be out of the condition of being
underestimated and slaved. Their effort has created a phrase going from
the rags to riches. The difference that makes them to be discriminated
becomes a motivation to have the audacity of hope, living in very much
better in the future and it is conducted by Barrack Hussein Obama in his
second book; The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the

27
American Dream. Absolutely, Obama is one of black American who is
listed in Black Americans of Achievement-Legacy Edition (Wagner 2008).
C. Autobiography Literary Criticism
In defining autobiographical literary criticism, we are supposed to
know differently what autobiography and literary criticism are. We have
known that autobiography is somewhat similar to biography. It talks about
someones life story during their childhood till now. And of course the
autobiography is written when the author is still alive because the object in
this literary form is the writer itself. The autobiographers are free to talk
about their story and they have to consider whether they will make an
aggressive or a modest impression to the readers since the readers are
supposed to be sympathetic. As Subrahniam said in Understanding Prose
book that writers talk freely about themselves making frequent use of the
first person pronoun. The reader is expected to be sympathetic rather than
to sit on judgment (Unit 28: 22).
Furthermore, autobiography itself has two forms in literary works.
Informal and formal fall within this autobiography. In informal
autobiography, the literary works may or may not be intended for
publication (23). We can see the examples of this form in letters, diaries,
and journals. Actually, memoir can also be called as the informal
autobiography because The American Heritage Dictionary (1979: 89) says
that autobiography is the story of a persons life written by himself;
memoirs.
28
Meanwhile, formal autobiography attempts to reconstruct a life
through recollection. It is based on self experience of the autobiographers.
Religious and intellectual autobiographies are the types of autobiography.
Still borrowing Subrahmaniams thought:
Fictionalized the autobiographies like James Joyces

Portrait of an Artist as a young man (1916) transpose the
actual experiences of the author onto a fictional plane and
as such do not come under the category of non-fictional
prose (22) (Subrahmaniam, K., et al, unit 28: 23).
The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream
written by the 44th President of America is clearly included in formal form
of autobiography.
On the hand, related to literary criticism, Mathew Arnold, a
nineteenth-century literary critic, describes literary critics as A
disinterested endeavor to learn and propagate the best that is known and
thought in the world. Implicit in this definition is that literary criticism is
a disciplined activity that attempts to describe, study, analyze, justify,
interpret, and evaluate a work of art (Bressler 1999).
In (www.acrwebsite.org/volumes/display.asp?id=8144), compared to
some contemporary schools of literary theory, autobiographical criticism is
astonishingly straightforward-the terminology almost says it all (Freedman
et al 1993; Olson 1994; Simpson 1995; Veeser 1996a).
Thus, give an understanding that autobiographical literary criticism
here means an analyzing the autobiography as literary work by studying,

29
interpreting, justifying, describing and evaluating the autobiography itself
to reveal something hidden or something found by the reader.
Meanwhile, Stephen Brown (The Wind in the Wallows: Literary
Theory, Autobiographical Criticism and Subjective Personal Introspection)
in (http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2016886), on the
contrary, it requires the critic to develop a revelatory account of their own,
often very personal, para-existential, sometimes deeply moving
experiences with works of literature. Autobiographical criticism, in other
words, doesnt so much concern the meaning of the text in itself as the text
for the critic, for the living, breathing, aspiring, desiring person behind the
words on the critical page (Autobiographical Criticism: Character and
Context: 25).
In this case, we know that Obama wrote his autobiography The
Audacity of Hope in 2006, before presidential election, and it tended to be
the way he campaigned himselfhis personal, professional, and his
intellectual. His biography does not only mean the way he introduced
himself for his election, more than this, because Barrack Hussein Obama is
a color man. What had happened to some previous Black menFrederick
Douglas, Booker T. Washington, Luther King Jr., should be warning for
Obama. He must inform to American citizen that every person has equal
right in the multiculturalism society, mainly in congress or governmental
desk, in the great land of America in achieving the dreams: Life, Liberty,
and the Pursuit of Happiness.

30
Dealing with achieving the delayed dreams from Obamas ancestors,
Kloppenberg in his introduction to Reading Obama: Dreams, Hope and
the American Political Tradition (2011: 16) conducts that Obamas
writings show his debts to earlier American traditions and demonstrate that
he has a deeper interest in, and a firmer grip on, Americas past than has
any president of the United States since Theodore Roosevelt and
Woodrow Wilson. Hence, this study is going to use historical approach to
examine the correlation among the autobiography of Obama, The Audacity
of Hope with the historical values.
Still borrowing Stephen Browns thoughts: By their very nature, of
course, such accounts, admissions, testimonies, exposes, reminiscences,
soul - baring, morality tales, textual acts, textual intercourse-call them
what you will-tend towards the unique, the disparate, the eclectic, the
idiographic. As a rule, however, works of autobiographical criticism
concentrate on how the critics engagement with a specific text, or texts,
helped shape their personal, professional, intellectual and, as often as not,
sexual identity, as well as the memories both happy and sad that inhere in
individual works for the essayist concerned (Autobiographical Criticism:
Character and Context: 25-26).
In this final project this study analyzes an autobiography written by
Barrack Hussein Obama The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming
the American Dream through autobiographical literary criticism with
historical and psychological approach.

CHAPTER III
METHOD OF INVESTIGATION
This chapter deals with method of investigation. It presents of
procedures and research steps to solve the problems of the research. It is
consisting of four sub-chapters, which are object to the study, types of the
data, and procedures of collecting data that consist of reading the
autobiography, identifying, inventorying, classifying and reporting the
data.
A. Object of the Study
The study of this final project is American Dreams in
Multiculturalism Society as Reflected on Barrack Hussein Obamas
Biography The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American
Dream. The autobiography is written by Barrack Hussein Obama, the first
African American who holds on The White House. It was released in
October 17, 2006, has 288 pages and nine chapters.
B. Types of the Data
The type of data in this study is qualitative data. The data are divided
into two:
1. Primary data which is taken from the autobiography The Audacity of
Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream.
31
32
2. Secondary data which are taken from articles, supporting books and
sites related to the study, and talk show.
C. Data Collecting Method
In collecting data, this final project uses many steps, they are:
1. Reading the autobiography and books related to the Study
Because of the object of the study is written form, so the first step in
this final project is reading the autobiography entitled The Audacity of
Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream. The primary data is
thoroughly read repeatedly to get comprehension and deep understanding
of the whole content of chapters mainly chapters that this study focuses
on. To analyze the part of the chapters, some references books are read to
make the chapters are understandable easily. Furthermore, to enrich the
comprehension and understanding of this study, a talk show with the
Embassy of the United States of America held by Cilad UPT Bahasa
Unissula on September 18, 2012 is also attended.
2. Identifying the data
After reading the autobiography and books related to the study, the
chapters are identified to find out the part of pointed chapters that are
going to be analyzed. The data which are identified can be in form of
narrative or indirect dialogues.

33
3. Technique of analyzing data
The last step is technique of analyzing data which consists of
analyzing and reporting the data. The selected data are analyzed with
descriptive analyzing, it is a sensory method by which the attributes of
product are identified and quantified, using panelist specifically trained for
this purpose. The complete analysis will be reported in chapter four as the
result of this study.

BAB IV
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
A. The Audacity of Hope in American Dreams Among Multiculturalism
Society
In this chapter, this study is about to analyze the autobiography, The
Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming American Dreams, written by
Barrack Hussein Obama connected to American dreams: Life, Liberty and
the Pursuit of Happiness in multiculturalism society. This study will
explore the chapters of the autobiography which this study concerns
(Values, Opportunity, Faith, and Race). Those chapters are going to be
examined dealing with American dreams. Furthermore, this final project
also gives another view of seeing a bravery or audacity in achieving
dreams, and surely there is connection with the American dreams that have
been dreaming and hoping by all Americans. In analyzing, this study uses
historical approach. As we know that achieving dreams needs mental and
spirit, and there must be a connection to the history in the past time, here
this approach takes a role.
A.1. An Audacity of Hope in Achieving Dreams

Lately, many people like staying in the zone where they are now.
They do not want to take the risk by taking a chance or new opportunity in
life. If there is a person doing this, it is just a few of them. While a very
brief audacity of hope is actually needed in facing the life because life is
34
35
always changing and often getting hard. Moreover, when we are in a bad
condition (e.g. poverty, stupidity, illness, laziness, oppression and so forth)
we must change such situation because the condition will not move when
we keep stagnant. The first step in changing those is hope. It is also the
first change before taking action. Al-Quran (The Noble Quran in The
English Language, 1993: 277) says: That is so because Allah will never
change a grace which He has bestowed on a people until they change what
is in their own selves. And verily, Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower. (Al-
Anfal, 10: 53).
What is more, an audacity of hope may bring the expectation in
hands. The future we are going to have is based on what we are hoping,
thinking and surviving. For that reason, we must dare to hope positive
things and think positively because those will influence our life. Assaraf
John in Byrne Rhonda states that our duty as a human being is keeping
what we hope, make the hope clear in our mind, as a result we start setting
up the greatest law of nature in the universe, and thus is law of relativity.
You will not only become what you are thinking but you will also get what
you are hoping most (The Secret, 2007: 9).
This being so, what Martin Luther King Jr. expected that I have a
dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, sons of former slaves and
the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the
table of brotherhood, is a dynamic hope staying in Black peoples mind.
Dealing with what Assaraf says (cit. Byrne Rhonda 2007), the Black
36
Americans have already made a hope that is liberty in managing happy
life, enslaved and getting equal right in the great land of America. They
have already made the hope clear in their mind. Accordingly, Barrack
Hussein Obama was elected as President of the United States on
November 4, 2008. He is the first African American President of America.
He breaks down the racial tension and the pessimistic of some Blacks or
Whites that often, even always see everything through diversities
background including racial minority.
Furthermore, hoping is like a prayer and every prayer has been going
to be answered by God. We should have a bravery to hope in achieving
our dreams. For example, when we are suffering from dangerous disorder,
the dream that should we have is being health. So, the first thing we must
do is hoping the health. We must keep thinking about a better life, liberty
from the illness and the pursuit of happiness for our future. We must be
brave in achieving the dreams because usually when we get dangerous
sickness, a death is haunted our mind. In the same matter, when Blacks
were oppressed by Whites, they must have woken up and set the dreams:
Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. The best way to make your
dreams come true is to wake up (Paul Valery, cit. Becoming a Money
Magnet, 2007: 33).
In other words, thinking is inviting. What does it mean? As we think
something whether it is good or bad, it has a meaning that basically we are
inviting the thing itself. That is why we are supposed to be positive

37
thinkers. Everything happens outside is the same as what in ourselves; in
mind and feeling (Patterson, B.P. 1899 cit. Quantum Ikhlas). Furthermore,
Shakespeare said: there is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes
it, while Buddha states that objective world appears from the thinking
itself (Shakespeare; Buddha cit. Gunawan, Adi W., 2007: 49). Obama and
the elder leaders of color Americans have thought the American dreams:
Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, year by year as they were
discriminated.
Talking about the power of thinking, in Power Healing Xiu Zang
Sha jots down some of his patients experiences, before having medical
treatment with him and after he does something to them, mainly ask them
to secure their selves by setting the mind. Just like meditation with
positive words to produce positive feeling and mind. Although all the
samples concern to recovery of health but it can be reflected to all aspects.
The 44th president of America always has positive thinking and
perspective. That is why he is successful in achieving what his ancestors
have been dreamt of so long. What he gets is absolutely followed up by
taking action, struggle and keep moving.
A.2. Outstanding Obamas Biography: The Audacity of Hope related to

American Dreams in a Multiculturalism Society
The second book of Barrack Obama, The Audacity of Hope:
Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream, has a deep relation with the
American dreams in multiculturalism society. Why is it so? And why must

38
Obama? Those questions are probably crossing our mind when the
statement is read. Since The Audacity of Hope was launched in October 1st
six years ago, Obama reaped many critics and comments from almost all
people around the world, mainly in the United States of America. As we
know that Obama is a son of Stanley Ann Dunham, a white woman from
American heartland with roots in Ireland and of a father from the Luo
ethnic group in Kenya. He is black. And people consider this as a kind of
ways to campaign his candidacy of Presidential Election from Democratic
Party. However, this is a professional way of how an intellectual politician
introduces himself to the audiences, more progressive and humanist.
Picture 5 and 6
Obama with his biological mother and Father
(http://www.complainary.com/2008/10/31/meet-obamas-family/)
Before we go on deeper, we should know that multiculturalism
society in America is a unique environment. We can imagine that people
around the world are coming to this land, to flip up, study or just to spend
holiday. They, especially who stay much longer and keep living there,
39
bring their own cultures, religions, ethnics, values, and surely those give
influence to America. It finally creates multiculturalism society.
Multiculturalism in America just likes Salad Bowl not Melting Pot.
Melting pot is a condition which the diversities are melted; the
characteristics of each culture are mixed and combined. The values have
been influenced and have no special taste like the original. Meanwhile,
Salad bowl is a condition that the cultures, ethnics, religions and so forth,
still have their taste of characteristics and the original smell is still exist. It
is similar to salad, the vegetables are mixed but the texture, taste,
characteristics of each vegetable is not changed. Although salad contains
many vegetables and sometimes is added with mayonnaise or other
ingredients, the taste is very delicious. That can describe how
multiculturalism society in America is.
America will be a very delicious salad bowl for its citizens as the
time goes by. It is like how America in Obamas perspective as a magic
country where millions of restless travelers from whole the world come.
They who still feel disappointed with life-still hope a better

future of their life-have traveled miles away and accept the
burdens and also challenges, to be in beaches of our father
land. (Welcoming Speech in the Graduation of Massachusetts
University, Boston, June 2nd 2006. Cit. Rogak Lisa: 2008).
Here, we can see that diversity will always color the great land of
America. It will not be a matter if we can understand each other. In The
Audacity of Hope, it is told in one session of Obamas agenda about
getting citizenship, Obama attended a naturalization workshop at St. Pius

40
Church in Pilsen, sponsored by Congressmen Union and several of the
immigrants that had visited his office. At that time he saw a thousand
people had lined up outside the church, including young families, elderly
couples, and women with strollers; inside, people sat silently in wooden
pew, clutched the small American flags that the organizers had passed out,
waited to be called by one of the volunteers who would help them manage
the start of what would be a years-long process to become citizens. At one
point, Obama was approached by a seven or eight Spain young girl,
namely Cristina. She was studying government in school and wanted to
take picture with him then showed it to her class. In this case Obama
reminded that America has nothing to fear from these newcomers, that
they have come here for the same reason that families came here 150 years
agoall those who fled Europes famines and wars and unyielding
hierarchies, all those who may not have had the right legal documents or
connections or unique skills to offer but who carried with them a hope for
better life (Obama Barrack, 2006: 318). Related to this, Obama continues:
.Their America will be more dizzying in its diversity, its

culture more polyglot. My daughters will learn Spanish and be
the better for it. Cristina will learn about Rosa Parks and
understand that the life of a black seamstress speaks to her
own.
Talking about Rosa Parks, an African-American civil rights activist,
whom the U.S. Congress called the first lady of civil rights, she must be
an inspiration for Obama to reach dream like what Martin Luther King Jr.
said, like what president Harry S. Truman (1945) conducted: We must

41
build a new world. A far better worldone in which the eternal dignity of
man is respected. (Truman, Harry S. 1945 cit. An Outline of American
History, 1994: 280). Besides that, as the mother of the freedom
movement on December 1st 1955, in Montgomery, Alabama, Parks
refused to obey bus boycott that color people were not allowed to sit in
front, they had to give the front seats to white ones. Parks who had just
died in 2005 did not want segregation exist, everyone has their own right
in life. While Obama believes that: America is big enough to
accommodate all their dreams. (Obama Barrack, 2006: 319).
Picture 7
Rosa Parks sits in one of the front seats of city bus following the
successful boycott of the bus system in 1955-56 by black citizens of
Montgomery, Alabama. (An Outline of American History: 1994, 338).
From many sources we see that at the age six to ten, Obama attended
local school in Menteng, Jakarta-Indonesia, including Besuki Public
School and St. Francis of Assisi School. He continued his study in
Occidental college. He then gave his first public speech in 1981, for
calling Occidentals divestment from South Africa. After that, he
transferred to Columbia University in New York City, where he majored

42
in political science with a specialty in international relation and graduated
with B.A. In 1983, he worked for a year at the Business International
Corporation then at the New York Public Interest Research Group.
After four years in New York City, Obama was hired as director of
Developing Communities Project (DPC), a church-based community
organization in Chicago. In 1985 till 1988, Obama also experienced
himself by joining Gamaliel Foundation as the consultant and instructor.
In the fall 1988, He entered Harvard law University. He was selected as an
editor of the Harvard Law Review at the end of his first year and president
of the journal in his second year. He graduated with a Juris Doctor (J.D.)
magna cum laude from Harvard in 1991. His position as the first black
president of the Harvard Law Review gained national media attention. As
a result, he then recalls his accounts by launching Dreams from My
Father.
Picture 8
Obama poses on the campus of Harvard Law School. Obamas tenure at
Harvard would mark the beginning of his career in the public eye. When
he became the first black editor of the Harvard Law Review, the New York
Times profiled him, and he was later commissioned to write his memoirs.
(Wagner, 2008: 51)
43
Obama with his unique life background and experiences is apt to
govern America. It is not merely based on those but his dedication,
intellectuality, integrity, policies and the way he communicate have stolen
peoples attention. As it is stated in Obama in His Own Words (2008: 13)
about his strength, he confidently stated: I probably always feel that in a
certain time I can convince people whom I invite to talk to (Time,
February 20th 2006 cit.). Besides, in New York Magazine October 2nd
2006, about what he wants to be a president looks like, he bravely
acknowledged: I want to be an astonish president. Then, I will worry
other cases. It is caused there are many halfway and bad presidents (cit.
Obama in His Own Words, 2008: 12). Obama is really confident and
optimist person but still humanist and friendly, those characteristics are
appropriate to be a leader of multiculturalism country.
Picture 9
Obama with his friends in Menteng-Jakarta, Indonesia.
Obamas characteristics are shaped since he was child. We can see
the story by reading Obama Anak Menteng, a novel written by Damien
Dematra (2010). Dematra involves accounts of Barrack Barry Obama

44
when he lived in Menteng-Indonesia. The novel is inspired by the story of
Obamas friends in Jakarta and can give description how Barry was.
Obama has been prepared to face the diversity since he was born and got
accustomed to solve the problems as he found it among his childhood. It
is, actually, not different from other color children but obviously, he has a
chance to have more unique challenged experiences in his life than others
and accordingly the result is amazing. Barry had been raised by his mother
to be intellectual, it is showed in his daily routines that he had to study; he
must allocate the time for learning at least reading. It is showed in
Dematras novel:
What are you doing?, Slamet was wondering and saw

Newsweek magazine in his hand. This belongs to my Mom,
Barry said while he pointed the magazine. I like to read it.
Just want to know how America nowadays. (Obama Anak
Menteng, 2010: 88).
In another chance a dialogue also happens in the afternoon between Barry
and Slamet when he was thinking of a change of his mother which skiped
to teach him in the morning after Maya Soetoro, his half sister was born:
Do you think that Mommy still loves me? Slamet sighed

why there was no easier question, he thought. Why do you
think so? Its reasonable that shes busy. There is new baby
I think so. Barry kept silent. Yeachmaybe its the
reason He was silent again. Bar? Hum? Ya? Its
unusual you are not study? Barry was startled. He looked at
the watch. At six! I forget to study. Let me study first.
(Obama Anak Menteng, 2010: 176)
Fyrthermore, Obama has been also prepared to be a discipline person.
When he was a child, his mother used to ask and teach him three hours
45
before going to school. Yuniadi, one of his friends was surprised when
Barry told him about his schedule. It is showed in the Dematras novel:
I suppose American children are as diligent as you, arent

they? Its not doubtful that America is sophisticated country.
Barry threw a simple smile. There is no correlation. How
comes?! There must be correlation. You study three hours,
umm.addedschoolfive hours, and in the evening you
must study again at least two hours With his fingers
Yuniadi tried to count how long Barry study, so, how long
must you study then? He scratched his head. Ten, Barry
calmly answered then added around ten hours. Yeah, that is
my duty. (2010: 30).
We can imagine that Obamas intellectuality is not an instant thing;
it has been sharpen since he was child. He, based on the novel is very
friendly, kind and humanist person. Although he was ridiculed as strange
child because of his black skin-curly hair, compared with his mother
whose skin and hair were totally different from him, he was always kind
and accepted the differences wisely. Well, coincidently Obama ever told
his friends that he would like to be a president. The accounts was when
Barry gathered with Slamet, Yuniadi and Iboy, they discussed many things
as elementary students usually talk to.
Among president, entrepreneur and soldier; which one do you
wanna be?, Iboy asked (Dematra Damien: 165-166). At that time,
Yuniadi and Slamet answered soldier because soldier has gun, weapon.
Then Iboy himself wanted to be entrepreneur because he could be very
rich. Barry answered rather unwilling because the rest choice was
president. Barry then thought how to give the reason because his friends
ridiculed that president has nothing, and he answered:

46
Though a president has nothing but he has authority. He can

ask the soldiers. Save the situation!! And you two must save it.
President can also ask the entrepreneur in order to give money,
then you must obey my rule! everybody spontaneously said,
it is a kinda fraudulent!!! (166).
Little Obama, even, once solved a problem among his friends and
the naughty group which finally became friendship. There must be other
personality like him, but he bravely conducted his dreams to be president.
And his books, mainly The Audacity of Hope is one of his attempts in
reaching his dream.
Furthermore, in giving commentator to Obamas first book Dreams
from My Father and the second one The Audacity of Hope, Kloppenberg in
his introduction to Reading Obama: Dreams, Hope and the American
Political Tradition (2011: 16) conducts that Obamas writings show his
debts to earlier American traditions and demonstrate that he has a deeper
interest in, and a firmer grip on, Americas past than has any president of
the United States since Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson. The
outstanding biography of Obama, his thoughts, his characteristics and the
achievement on his political stage are the proofs that Obamas dreams are
the reflection of American dreams and he conducts them in The Audacity
of Hope. Hence, this study is going to use historical approach to examine
the correlation among the autobiography of Obama, The Audacity of Hope
with the historical values.

47
A.3. Historical Approach toward The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on

Reclaiming American Dream
At its most elemental level, we understand our liberty in negative
sense. As general rule we believe in the right to be left alone, and are
suspicious of those whether Big Brother or nosy neighborswho want to
meddle in our business. But we understand our liberty in a more positive
sense as well as, in the idea of opportunity and the subsidiary values that
help realize opportunityall those homespun virtues that Benjamin
Franklin first popularized in Poor Richards Alamanack and that have
continued to inspire our allegiance through successive generation (Obama
Barrack, Values, 2006: 66).
From this quotation, we can see that Obama does not forget the
history. He, as black heritage, must be proud of his ancestors who always
fight for the equal right as human; no segregation, no discrimination no
underestimate and no violence among racial background. He reveres
history as one of the prominent values toward life. In Indonesia, The first
president, Ir. Soekarno bruited Jas Merah (Jangan Sampai Melupakan
Sejarah) strongly probable gives influence to Obama, moreover when little
Obama would move to Menteng-Jakarta he had learned about Indonesia
for a half year. In Dreams from My Father, Obama described a relatively
idyllic childhood in Indonesia:
I had taken my less than six months to learn Indonesias

language, its customs and its legends. I had survived chicken
pox, measles, and the sting of my teachers bamboo switches.
The children of farmers, servants, and low-level bureaucrats
had become my best friends, and together we ran the streets
48
morning and night, hustling odd jobs, catching crickets,

battling swift kites with razor-sharp lines. (Obama cit. Black
Americans of Achievement Legacy Edition: Barack Obama-
Politician, 18-19).
More to the point, it is not inconceivable that history has been a
shadow for everyone. It may contribute spirit to do something better and
change to the best in this present time for future. History cannot be erased
as the time goes on. It can be the reason for us in attempting our dreams.
In another word, a child born in a slavery will not want to live in slavery
condition in his/her future; a child born in poverty will not let the wealthy
only imagination in his/her future; they have right to pursue the happiness,
have a right to design and decide their future, have a very wide
opportunities to make effort in every dream. The history can be their
teacher to achieve much better future.
There are no accidents in my philosophy. Every effect must

have its cause. The past is the cause of the present, and the
present will be the cause of the future. All these are links in the
endless chain stretching from the finite to the infinite
(Abraham Lincoln. Cit. Asim Jabari).
Likewise, concerning to American dreams: Life, Liberty and the
Pursuit of Happiness which has connection with Declaration of
Independent, Obama stated:
But the essential idea behind the declarationthat we are

born into this world free, all of us; that each of us arrives with
a bundle of rights that cant be taken away by any person or
any state without just cause; that through our own agency we
can, and must, make of our lives what we willis one that
every American understands. It orients us, set our course, each
and every day. (Obama Barrack, 2006: 65).
49
Many writers, major ones, have conducted their hope by writing
essays, journals, novels or autobiography related to American dreams. Let
us mention The American Dream (Edward Albee), The Autobiography
(Benjamin Franklin), Love Medicine and the American Dream (Louis
Erdrich), The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald), Childrens Rhyme: The
American Dream and the Legacy of Revolution in the Poetry of Langston
Hughes (Langston Hughes), Song of Solomon and the American Dream
(Toni Morison), Narrative of Frederick Douglass (Frederick Douglas),
Self-Reliance (Ralph Waldo Emerson) and so forth. Those have
contributed their mind and thoughts to the Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of
Happiness and as an intellectual person Obama must be comprehend about
their ideas. If he does not, he would never be able to figure out about many
things then seek the solution, and he would never have audacity of hope in
reclaiming thoughts that his ancestors have dreamt.
American dreams which is included in American Declaration
actually becomes the prominent issue and question who will be the exact
person takes the right place. In volume introduction to Blooms Literary
Themes: The American Dream (2009), Bloom conveys:
I might have thought the American Dream had ended, but the
election of Barrack Obama makes a difference. He invoked our
national dream in his victory speech, an important citation
though edged by the ill omens of financial and economic
disaster both at home and abroad (I write it on 20 November,
2008).
Obama is a very smart politician, seeing his outstanding educational
background, experiences of his heritage, and his private understanding by

50
enjoying the diversity in different countries, create him to be an excellent
candidacy in General Election for Presidency in the fall 2008. He centers
on the policy of economic and educational sectors. It is showed in chapter
five of his biography, The Audacity of Hope: Opportunity (page 162-230).
Obama definitely says:
And Im confident that we have the talent and the resources to

create a better future in which the economy grows and
prosperity is shared. (The Audacity of Hope, 2006: 176). Then
continues: Education. Science and technology. Energy. These
three key areas would go a long way in making America more
competitive. (202-203).
Obamas decision to join Democrat Party is also a good choice. As
we know that America practices democratic political system. The
American Heritage Dictionary defines Democracy as a social condition of
equality and respect for the individual within the community, it is also
explained that democracy is governed by the people, exercised either
directly or through elected representatives (1979). Democracy is a form of
government, where a constitution guarantees basic personal and political
rights, fair and free elections, and independent courts of law. Joining
Democrat Party is appropriate with his attempt to breakdown the racial
tension. He bruits about the equal right in America as multiculturalism
society, hold Americans motto E Pluribus Unum and give optimistic
influence to the environment in achieving truly American dreams: Life,
Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. Meanwhile, everybody knows who
Obamas rival in Democratic Party, Hillary Clinton. Though Hillary has a
long track record in political sphere, especially because her husband was a
51
president of America, but Obama won from her then passed the stipulation
to the General Election for Presidency.
President Roosevelt insisted that measures fostering economic well-
being would strengthen liberty and democracy. In a radio address in 1938,
Roosevelt reminded the American people:
Democracy has disappeared in several other great nations, not

because the people of those nations disliked democracy, but
because they had grown tired of unemployment and insecurity,
of seeing their children hungry while they sat helpless in the
face of government confusion and government weakness
through lack of leadership in government. Finally, in
desperation, they chose to sacrifice liberty in the hope of
getting something to eat. We in America know that our
democratic institutions can be preserved and made to work.
But in order to preserve them we need... to prove that the
practical operation of democratic government is equal to the
task of protecting the security of the people.... The people of
America are in agreement in defending their liberties at any
cost, and the first line of the defense lies in the protection of
economic security.
(An Outline of American History: Other New Deal Programs-
http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/outlines/history-1990/conflict-
abroad-social-change-at-home/other-new-deal-programs.php).
Here, still, Obama in his biography tries to recall what previous
Americans have endeavor for the American dreams. He wants to make
their dreams come true, encounter the unsolved problems such as
economic side, andof course The Audacity of Hope as the tools for
campaign in Presidential Electionbrings him to be the first color person
in the first position of that super power country.
The penetrating analysis that Obama offers in The Audacity of Hope
explains the short-circuiting of American democracy in the twentieth
century and illuminates the reasons why he faces such intractable political
52
as well as economic problems as president. His conundrum, as he
understands, is the product of long-term, unresolved problems in
American history. (Kloppenberg, james T., 2011: 7).
What is more, Asim Jabari conveys that during Obamas victory
speech, he had spoken movingly of his parents and grandparents, all of
whom died before his historic feat. In the days that followed, as I watched
televised images of Obama rolling up his sleeves and confronting the
work of remaking this nation, I couldnt help thinking of DuBois, who
had thought so deeply and written so astutely about black struggle in
America. In The Soul of Black Folk, he envisioned the movements of an
ambitious black man unfettered by the bonds of racism (2009: 219-220).
In this case, The Audacity of Hope, much more than the first book,
Obama provides his diagnosis of contemporary American problems and
offers a roadmap of political possibilities. It also presents along the way a
refreshingly serious and cogent account of American political and cultural
history. It shows that Obama has wrestled with the central challenges
posed by the multiple traditions of American political thought, and it
establishes him as one of the few prominent figures in national politics
who made original and important contributions to those traditions in recent
decades (Kloppenberg, james T., 2011: 21).

53
B. Reveal The Audacity of Hope as Thoughts on Reclaiming the
American Dreams
In this part, this study is discussing and analyzing the connection
among chapters in The Audacity of Hope and American dreams. Values,
Opportunity, Faith, and Race are analyzed one by one.
B.1. Values
The study of this part is about to analyze chapter two, Values, in The
Audacity of Hope which reflects to the American Dreams: Life, Liberty
and the Pursuit of Happiness. This final project is going to prove that
Obamas second book has really implied those dreams in multiculturalism
society.
In this chapter Obama centers on the decline of moral values occur
in America recently, especially in politic sphere. The Audacity of Hope is
slightly writing for campaign because almost in every chapter Obama
inserts political scent. Besides, he wrote it as he was on the road to
Presidential Election and he must be very clever in choosing literary
workmaking autobiographybecomes his perspective to deliver the
aims of his candidacy. Nonetheless, Obama does not write his biography
for campaign only but for reclaiming thoughts on American dreams: Life,
Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
Talking about moral values that Obama figures out in this chapter,
he feels many politicians have lost their moral compasses for instance
54
bribery and corruption. Obama claims political system which they usually
do itself makes them difficult to remain true to their values.
To say that a value is important is not to say that it should be

subject to regulation or that it merits a new agency.
(Values, 72-73)
Politicians must back to the moral values because basic values which are
belong to American is not only a prominent thing in politic but it also
determines their dignity.
I think Democrats are wrong to run away from a debate about

values, as wrong as those conservatives who see values only as
wedge to pry loose working-class voters from the democratic
base.
(Values, 64)
So, what does actually the true values that the democratic base posses?
How can the values are reflected and described in The Audacity of hope
toward American dreams: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of happiness?
When we turn to the history in the eighteen century, we can see that there
were complicated debates in deciding how America which consists of
small states like New Jersey and large one like Virginia runs its
governmental system. Many arguments came up until became threatened
debate. Roger Sherman finally came forward to deliver his arguments for
representation in proportion to the population of the states in one house of
Congress, the House of Representatives, and equal representation in the
other, the Senates. After Sherman conducted the arguments, the debate
was calm down and the compromise was held.

55
The decision from the debates and compromises were the
government should not act upon the states but upon the people within the
states, and should legislate for and upon all the individual residents of the
country. As the keystone of the constitution, the Convention adopted two
brief but highly significant statements:
Congress shall have powerto make all laws which shall be

necessary and proper for carrying into execution thepowers
vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United
States (Article 1, section 7)
This Constitution and the Laws of the United States, which
shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or
which shall be made, under the authority of the United States,
shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every
State shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or
laws in any State to the contrary notwtanding. (Article VI)
(An Outline of American History, 1994: 89-93)
On these points, it is undeniable that The Audacity of Hope reflects
the American dreams. One of American dreams is focusing on Liberty.
Every single person lives in America has a right to get well-education in
order to be free from stupidity, health care service as a right in life and
prosperity so that life is joyfulthose are discussed further in chapter five
Opportunity.
that we are born into this world free, all of us

(Values, 65)
Obama believes that Democrat Party always gives opportunity to people
because this Party posses a fundamental base, from people-by people-for
people, like what the elder Constitution hope.
In another chance, Michelle Obama on the flight back to Chicago
after visiting her ancestors ever said:

56
I never realized just how American I was.

(Values, 66)
This statement she acknowledged after realizing how suffer the people are
without freedom in life, she heard that they found difficulty to get a job or
start their own businesses without paying bribery. This leads Obama to set
a policy that politicians must build the nation together. Member of
political parties have to accommodate what people need such as well-
health care and education services, and stop bribery so that people can live
freely and comfort in their own land, America.
Unfortunately, Obama in His Own Word about Democrat Party said:
This Party has not renewed its vision and message (Essence, 2006 cit.
Rogak Lisa). Therefore, Obama in Values concludes that there must be a
change for this kind of political system and he claims that by setting up
compromises and collaborationwhenever we come from, what color and
what parties we arethe nation can really reach the dreams: Life, Liberty
and the Pursuit of Happiness. Because when we are working together,
everything is much easier and possible.
I value good manners, for example. Every time I meet a kid

who speaks clearly and looks at me in the eyes, who says yes,
sir and thank you and please and excuse me, I feel more
hopeful about the country. I dont think I am alone in this.
(Value, 73)
Obama believes that by setting up collaboration within good
communication and intellectual compromise can create a good result to
build America. His smiling face and kind soul have proven the values
should be possessed by a person in specific space and politician in large.

57
He is humanist naturally, not just as a politician or even candidacy.
Relating to values like behavior among politicians Obama said:
I often wonder what makes it so difficult to talk about values

in ways that dont appear calculated or phony. Partly, I think,
its because those of us in public life have become so scripted,
and the gestures that candidates use to signify their values have
become so standardized., that it becomes harder and harder
for the public to distinguish between honest sentiment and
political stagecraft.
(Values, 77)
This shows that freedoms, including right to speak and deliver hope
is important. Obama in this matter shares about his right to speak freely
had ever been limited and he felt discomfort. It happened during his
general campaign for the U.S. Senate. His Republican opponent assigned a
young man to track all his public appearances with a handheld camera.
Whenever he went and got down elevators until in the restroom. It was
obviously not a good value that an American should have; limiting the
space of person to talk freely with comfort. Finally, with his smart idea he
invited some reporters to have lunch and without the young man knew,
Obama said:
I want to introduce you to Justin. Justin heres been assigned

by the Ryan campaign to stalk me whenever I go.
(Values, 78)
58
Picture 10
A young man looks at the first amendment exhibit at the McCormick
Tribune Freedom Museum in Illinois (Berkana D, Embassy of the USA).
Obama bravely said that to the public and it remains us that Bill of
Rights should be the values in American behavior. Bill of Rights which
involves 10 amendments was determined by December 1791, the first
amendment of the provisions: freedom of speech, press, religion, and the
right to assemble peacefully, protest and demand changes (An Outline of
American History, 1994: 94-95). While Obama himself acknowledged:
In fact, much of my appreciation of our Bill of Rights comes

from having spent part of my childhood in Indonesia and from
still having family in Kenya,
(Values, 65)
By seeing, hearing, listening and experiencing kinds of cases in
getting freedom and rights; Obama dedicates his life for that. He imagines
how if he is the person as the victims in inequality. In this case, he
remembers what his lovely mother once taught him about empathy by
asking him:
How do you think that would make you feel?

(Values, 80)
How would that make you feel?
(Values, 81)
Then he stated:
I believe a stronger sense of empathy tilt the balance of our

current politics in favor of those people who are struggling in
this society. After all, if they are like us, then their struggles
are our own. If we fail to help, we diminish ourselves.
(Values, 82)
59
B.2. Opportunity
This part is about to examine the economic sphere which Obama
concerns in The Audacity of Hope towards American dreams. History
cannot be lost in citizens mind except those who do not care with it but
unfortunately, a good nation is a nation which reminisce its history.
America that had declared its Independent day since July 4 th 1776 has
many stories to recall. The immigrants around the world who have been
expecting much about this country also become a unique history till this
country is called as United States of America. This country almost loses its
identity, especially the prominent dreams that have been involved in the
Bill of Rights. Accordingly, Obama wrote The Audacity of Hope to
reclaim thoughts of the American dreams: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of
Happiness.
Opportunity is coming only once. This quotation always be heard
when we are going to reach or decide something. It is probably rather
improper in struggling Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness in a very
large country, various communities with many differentculture, ethnic,
religionbackground. Hundred years, Americans always make effort for
this. If the chance only comes once, Obama will not be chosen as President
of U.S of America. As we know, race is somewhat a problem for color
people to get their rightit will be discussed deeper in the next analysis.
Still, Obama opens this Opportunity with his story using private jet
during his campaigns for Senator.

60
The purpose of that particular trip was fund-raising,

(Opportunity, 164)
Obama then devotes this chapter to share about the economy side. At that
time, Americas economy has getting collapse. This condition becomes a
spirit to reclaim how American trait is. Competitive and hard work, are the
basic issues in this chapter. Before this study goes on, let us see what
happened during Obamas fund-raising for his Senate in 2002.
Obama figured out Google, as he remembered about how two
Stanford Ph.D. candidates in computer science, Larry Page and Sergey
Brin, had made collaboration in a dorm room to create a better way to
search the web. In 1998, employing three persons operating out of a garage
with a million dollars from various links, Page and Brin had formed
Google. Obama also remembered how Google figured out an advertising
model based on text ads that were nonintrusive and relevant to the users
search. Obama then went to Sillicon Valley where Googles Company is
located.
We pulled in front of a set of modern, modular buildings and

were met by Googles general counsel, David Drummond, an
African American around my age whod made the
arrangements for my visit.
(Opportunity, 165)
Shortly, Obama was told by David that high-tech employers had a new set
of worries as World Trade Center (WTC) was attacked. Over two
thousand people killed and more than six thousand injured. Since that
time, Americans economic sector gets falling dawn.

61
And over the long term, David explained, that could spell
trouble for the U.S. economy.
(Opportunity, 168)
Obama here realizes how competitive American life is. Even he must be
realized since long time ago that life is always competitive, moreover he is
born in diversities.
Furthermore, Obama talks about flee market towards America. He
considers that this kind of market system can give benefits to Americans
consumers but another hand; it makes the increasing of economic
instability for millions of ordinary Americans.
To stay competitive and keep investors happy in the global

marketplace, U.S.-based companies have automated,
downsized, outsourced, and off shored.
(Opportunity, 172)
For all that, what is the correlation among The Audacity of Hope
mainly chapter Opportunity and American dreams? Answering this
question, we must go to the past for the time being in the early 19 th
century.
To the American public of 1914, the outbreak of war in

Europe came as a shock. At first, the encounter seemed
remote, but its economic and political effects were swift and
deep. By 1915 U.S. industry, which had been mildly
depressed,
(An Outline of American History, 1994: 244)
Basically, economic crisis in America lately is not a new problem.
America once had such condition and seemingly, it happens again like a
phrase says that history must be repeatable. In this case, government
should solve the problem because they are the representatives of the house;
they have to take action for a better great economic condition. Yet Freidel
62
Frank, et al in America in the Twentieth Century about decentralization
and regulation stated:
To many progressives, the greatest threat to the nations

economy was the effect of excessive centralization and
consolidation on competition. The trust had made it impossible
for the free market to work as it should; only by restoring the
economy to a more human scale could the nation hope for
stability and justice. (1981: 55)
Furthermore, based on An Outline of American History (1994: 254-
255) the bankruptcy of nations economy in 1932 had made President
Herbert Hoover entering The White House only eight months before the
stock market crash. In opposite, Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) who
replaced Hoover was popular as the governor of New York during the
developing crisis. It is like what has happened to Obama.
Yet Hoovers argument laid in an implication that he had to depend
on natural processes of recovery, meanwhile FDR as the Democrat was
prepared to use the federal governments authority for bold experimental
remedies. This gave a victory to FDR 22.800.000 votes to Hoovers
15.700.000 (An Outline of American History, 255). Since that time,
America was about to enter a new era of economic and political change.
On these points, Obama acknowledged:
And although the benefits of our free-market system have

mostly derived from the individual efforts of generations of
men and women pursuing their own vision of happiness, in
each and every period of great economic upheaval and
transition weve depended on government action to open up
opportunity, encourage competition, and make the market
work better.
(Opportunity, 178)
63
Anyway, Obama realizes part of FDRs rationale why he must have had
National Labor Relation Act that focused on the relation between capital
and labor. Obama then continued his opinion:
But FDR also understood that capitalism in democracy

required the consent of the people, and that by giving workers
a large share of the economic pie.
(Opportunity, 183)
Mildly, crisis in America is very complicated because as this final
project finish, Obama has not been able to resolve the problem. However
Obama is an optimist personhopefully he will win as the incumbent
candidacy nowso he can influence many people to do better thing like
his victory that remains his hard work in competing the position in life
mainly in reaching the American dreams, Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of
Happiness.
And Im confident that we have the talent and the resources to

create a better future in which the economy grows and
prosperity is shared.
(Opportunity, 176)
Back to the economic pie that has to be paid to the workers higher or
bigger, Obama said:
free trade may well grow the world wide economic pie
but there is no law that says workers in the United States will
continue to get a bigger and bigger slice.
(Opportunity, 206)
As a result, Obama suggests that Americans should compete and
must work hard. The Audacity of Hope has proven that it reflects to the
attempts in achieving the American dreams: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit
64
of Happiness through reclaiming American traits; Self-Made Man,
Individualism, Hard Worker for the phrase from the Rags to the Riches.
In Opportunity, Obama also focuses on the education sphere, well-
paid for the teachers and alternative schooling formats. He deeply
understands that intellectuality is graded. Based on the information he
wrote in his biography, only 22 percent are prepared to take college-level
classes in English, math and science. While as the general counsel of
Google said that Google needs to stay competitive which means they only
hire the top graduates of the top math, engineering, and computer science
in the countryMIT, Caltech, Stanford and Berkeley (Opportunity, 167).
To this matter, Obama then conducted:
I dont believe government alone can turn these statistics

around. Parents have the primary responsibility for instilling an
ethic of hard work and educational achievement in their
children. But parents rightly expect their government, through
the public schools, to serve as full partners in the educational
processjust as it has for earlier generations of Americans.
(Opportunity, 190)
Obamas policy in educational system is aimed to color community
and all Americans in large because David Drummond, the general counsel,
told that Obama could count on two hands, the number of black and Latino
kids in those programs; math, engineering and computer science. But, this
policy of course is not only based on the racial background because
education, however, can determine how the next generation is; how the
generation brings the nation in the future.

65
B.3. Faith
The first time we read chapter six, Faith, we will be served Barrack
Obama with a message from a doctor at the University of Chicago Medical
School in his victory to the Democratic nomination in U.S. Senate race.
The same thing, in this part of this analysis, the email that Obama had
received is going to be the opening.
Congratulations on your overwhelming and inspiring

primary win, the doctor wrote. I was happy to vote for you,
and I will tell you that I am seriously considering voting for
you in the general election. I write to express my concerns that
may, in the end, prevent me from supporting you.
(Faith, 231)
According to Obama in Faith (231-232) the doctor was a Christian
who understood his commitments and this led him totally disagreed with
abortion and gay marriage. The email was sent because he had read a
posting under Obamas campaign that the candidacy of presidential
election in the website suggested he would fight right-wing ideologues
who want to take away a womans right to choose. The doctor then wrote:
I sense that you have a strong sense of justice and of the

precarious position of justice in any polity, and I know that you
have championed the plight of the voiceless. I also sense that
you are fair-minded person with a high regard for
reason.Whatever your conviction, if you truly believe that
those who oppose abortion are all ideologues driven by
perverse desire to inflict suffering from women, then you, in my
judgment, are not fair-minded.You know that we enter times
that are fraught with possibilities for good and for harm, times
when we are struggling to make sense of a common polity in
the context of plurality, when we are unsure of what grounds
we have for making any claims that involve others.I do not
ask at this point that you oppose abortion, only that you speak
about this issue in fair-minded words.
(Faith, 232)
66
Obama then checked his website and found the offending words. He
rectified that the words were not his because his staff had posted for
political need during Democratic primary.
, at a time when some of my opponents were questioning

my commitment to protect Roe v. Wade.
(Faith, 232)
Religion should reflect in every single life of a person. Religion is
the answer of all questions and matters. So, in political stage religion
should not just be the surface on the need of political party or if it is truly
religion base it should not be the means to gain the votes from audience
only. The religionwhatever the religionshould be the value and moral
control in political behavior so that they will be responsible politicians.
But in this case, America is a secular country so the government and
religions matter are separated.
After all, Obama slightly has different paradigm in responding the
letter from the doctor. As we know that Obama agrees with abortion and
marriage of gay and lesbian, he is prochoice with LGBT (Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual and Transgender) although once in 1996 he rejected marriage of
homosexuals but in 2004 he stated in Windy City Times to give his vote in
pulling what he had rejected (Rogak Lisa, 64). In his Illinois Senate debate
Obama conducted:
I am not considering marriage is a civil right, but I think

being untreated discriminatively is civil right.
(October 26th 2004, cit. Rogak Lisa, 63)
67
It is deeply understood why Obama takes that policy, moreover his life is
full of diversities. He even experienced in his childhood in Indonesia that
he must have had been looked after by an effeminate. In Obama Anak
Menteng, it is described the man who looked like a woman is named
Turdi. His duty was to take and fetch Obama in School, to cook and
accompany him when it was compulsory. One scene showed as Turdi met
Obama for the first time: Im from the next village, he said. But Im an
outcast, he continued sadly. (Dematra, 39).
Well, Obama can understand that every single person has a right for
life like what he has already bruited all the time. He has been the member
of minority community mainly in racial background. He, again deeply
understands that politic should not be judged by seeing something different
from what we see. We should stands on other heels until we see how we
are and feel what they are feeling.
From the most positive sight, politic can help us finding

ourselves in someone else. The most negative one, politic is
when we see immigrant and woman or black and gay or
Mexico as something different from ourselves. (Chicago
Tribune October 26th 2006, cit. Rogak)
Up to a point, what does actually Faith bring to American dreams? How
many official religions in America as a multicultural country? As usual we
must look at the history of America mainly about faith.
Talking about faith, there were many purposes that immigrants
brought to America. One of them was religious freedom. In the early 17th
century, effort to reach prosperity in towns made fears that the devil was
68
luring society into pursuit of worldly gain. As a result in 1730 there was
religious reaction called Great Awakening. The religious turmoil was
inspired by George Whitefield reached its culmination in 1741 with his
sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. Edwards did not engage
in theatrics, but delivered his sermon in a quiet, thoughtful manner. He
stressed that the established churches sought to deprive Christianity of its
emotional content. This event gave rise to evangelical denominations and
spirit of revivalism, which continue to significant roles in American
religious and cultural life (An Outline of American History, 37-38).
In chapter Faith, dealing with what the doctor had mailed him and
also antiabortion protestors that highlighted themselves as Christians,
Obama then discussed that America is religious. And the evangelical
among American society is not needed.
Picture 11
Source: 2008 Pew Forum American Landscape Survey (Embassy of the
United State of America).
69
It is a truism that we Americans are religious people.

According to the most recent surveys, 95 percents of
Americans believe in God, more than two-thirds belong to a
church, 37 percent call themselves committed Christians, and
substantially more people believe in angels than believe in
evolution.
(Faith, 235)
He bravely argued that though Jimmy Carter who would first introduce the
language of evangelical Christianity into modern national politics; it was
the Republican Party, with its increasing emphasis on tradition, order, and
family values. According to Obama, that was best positioned to harvest
this crop of politically awakened evangelicals and mobilize them against
the liberal orthodoxy (Faith, 238).
Beside the point, in Charlie Rose Show (October 19th, 2006) Obama
said:
Religious men must define their agenda which are motivated

by religion in a general meaning that can be accepted logically.
It is not enough to oppose marriage of homosexuals or abortion
only by saying God says so to me, then expect others will say,
Okayif God has told you, we think we must obey.
(cit. Rogak Lisa)
Picture 12
A Jewish man prepares to celebrate Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur; a
Muslim taxi driver faces Mecca and prays; a Sikh law student sits in the
lobby of a building in Virginia; a Muslim woman from Alabama adjusts
her hijab. (Religious Diversity, US Embassy).
Obama centers the right for life, including choosing the religion and have
faith or become believers and even atheist. He then recounts his own
70
journey from atheism to faith, contending that the structure of religion has
fortified and deepened his moral convictions.
I was not raised in a religious household.

(Faith, 240)
As he explains in this chapter, his maternal grandparent was raised
by devout Baptist, while his grandmother was somewhat stubborn to
accept anything she could not see, feel, touch, or count. His stepfather,
Lolo Soetoro was a moderate Muslim and of course his experience in
Indonesia had made him grow up in a blended Islamic faith with remnants
of Hinduism, Buddhism, and ancient animist traditions. Even, when he
was in Jakarta, he was sent first to a neighborhood Catholic school and
then to a predominantly Muslim school (Faith, 240-242).
Besides, his mother never raised him in the church although he has
known she was religious and once she taught him about a view of how
religion is.
Religion was an expression of human culture, she would

explain, not its wellspring, just one of the many waysand not
necessarily the best waythat man attempted to control the
unknowable and understand the deeper truths about our lives.
(Faith, 241)
His own father, a Kenyan was known as Muslim and went to atheist after
getting married with Stanley Ann Dunham (Obamas America, 2009:21).
In the history of these struggles, I was able to see faith as

more than just a comfort to the weary or a hedge against death;
rather, it was an active, palpable, agent in the world.
(Faith, 245)
71
Picture 13
The United States Bill of Rights (National Archives) (US Embassy,
Religious Diversity in America).
Furthermore, beside Obama chooses a policy for the citizen to have their
religious freedom is based on his various histories of eclectic faiths; the
first amendment surely becomes the reference for him to decide that policy
because The Audacity of Hope is addressed to reclaim American dreams:
Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. He also concerns the
dangerousness of women who will stop their pregnancy unsafely if he
bans abortion as it is stated in page 234 of chapter Faith.
In this matter, there is a quotation from President Franklin Delano
Roosevelt: We are a nation of many nationalities, many races, many
religions bound together by a single unity, the unity of freedom and
equality. It proves what Obama has written down in Faith is aimed to
reclaim American dreams; Americans have right to live with their own
religion and faith, right to worship without any fear and right to pursue the
happiness in celebrating any kinds of celebrations.

72
Picture 14
A Shinto priest conducts a blessing in Hawaii; a woman offers a
Buddhist monk the gift of food during a Thai New Year Celebration in
New York; Muslim children pray at the Islamic Academy of New
England; freedom From Religion Foundation co-president Annie Laurie
Gaylor poses at the groups Wisconsin headquarters (U.S. Embassy).
The freedom is also described in the philosophy of famous historical
American symbol, Liberty Statue. The meaning of this New York City
icon is a freedom in America and it is located in the estuary of Hudson
River NYCs harbor to welcome immigrants or people of America who
come back in the country which is full of freedoms.
Picture 15
Liberty statue, a gift from France Government in the fall 19th. The
sculptor was Frederic Auguste Bartholdi and Gustave Eiffel (Eiffel
Tower designer) who designed the structure of buffer inside)
(http://terselubung.blogspot.com/2009/09/sejarah-patung-liberty.html)
73
Meanwhile, in a talk show held by Cilad UPT Bahasa Unissula on
September 18, 2012, one of keynote speakers from Embassy of United
States of America, Mr. Nathan Dettman, gave an explanation about the
correlation among religion/faith in America towards the dreams.
According to Mr. Dettman American is free to do his or her life with their
belief and religion, free to do worship and free to celebrate any kind of the
religions events; those represent how Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of
Happiness reflect religion diversities in America. Up to that point, it is
clear that Obamas opinion in Faith is a thought on reclaiming the
American dreams. Therefore, Moulik D. berkana, the main speaker in that
talk show stated that America is one of most religiously diverse countries
in the world and there is no official religion in America because the
government is separated from religion instead protecting the peoples right
in having and doing their religion (US Embassy, Religious Diversity in
America).
B.4. Race
In this chapter, Race, this study is about to prove that The Audacity
of Hope is really has connection with American dreams, Life, Liberty and
the Pursuit of Happiness. In America, racial debate has a close, even the
closest, to American dreams. As we know that racism in America becomes
a very sensitive topic to discuss. Inequality in the society has created an
ignorance condition among them. Meanwhile, Obama sees racism in

74
different perspective and he conducts it through this Race. Then, how does
the exact evidence relate to Race from The Audacity of Hope toward Life,
Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness?
In that point, we must back to the past when the worst racial unrest
in Chicago 1919 broke. The riot occurred more than a weak only caused of
a teenager of black was swimming in Lake Michigan on a hot day and he
drifted to the white beach. The white on shore stoned him until he died and
sank. That leaded the worst unrest between two racial backgrounds which
ended by 38 people died15 whites and 23 blacksand 537 were
injured; over 1.000 people were left homeless. Although that was the worst
but it was not the only riots in 1919. (Freidel Frank, 142-144).
Picture 16
Whites stone a black man
to death during the vicious
race riot in Chicago in
1919. The Great Migration
of blacks to northern cities,
which accelerated during
and after the war, produced
severe tensions in many
urban, industrial areas, as
blacks and whites
competed for scarce
industrial jobs (Freidel
Frank, 144).
Consequently, the two races continually made conflicts and the great
depression of the country made it worse, the whites were suffering but
blacks were suffering worse. In Atlanta 1930, an organization called the
Black Shirts, consisting largely of unemployed whites, adopted the slogan

75
No Jobs for Niggers until Every White Man Has a Job. The same could
not be said, however, racism. And no group suffered more from the
inflamed climate of the postwar years than American blacks. It was racial
discrimination. In 1939, for the first time blacks got an ally from White
House, that was not from FDR but from his wife, Eleanor Roosevelt.
(Freidel Frank, The survival of Racism, 268).
Throughout 1930s she exerted continuing pressure upon her

husband and upon others in the federal government to ease
discrimination against blacks. She was also responsible for
what was, symbolically at least, one of the most important
events of the decade for American blacks. When the black
opera singer Marian Anderson was refused permission in the
spring of 1939 to give a concert in the auditorium of the
Daughters of the American Revolution (Washingtons only
concert hall), Eleanor Roosevelt secured government
permission for her to sing on the steps of the Lincoln
Memorial. Her Easter Sunday concert attracted 75.000 people
and became, in effect, one of the first modern civil-rights
demonstrations.
(Freidel Frank, The survival of Racism, 265)
However, racial discrimination which focuses on wrong stereotype
has run until in the beginning of 21st century, mainly when Obama was
elected as the 44th president of America. Meanwhile, Obama in his
biography (Race, 273-274) stated that there is not a black America and
white America and Latino America and Asian Americathere is the
United States of America. Obama whose skin is black, specifically brown,
also stated:
.that whatever preconceived notions white Americans may

continue to hold, the overwhelming majority of them these
days are ableif given the timeto look beyond race in
making their judgment of people.
(Race, 278)
76
Obama himself understands how the ignorance behavior has set deeper and
deeper among multiculturalism societys mind. He once experienced in his
age of forty five:
security guards tailing me as I shop in department stores,

white couples who toss me their car keys as I stand outside a
restaurant waiting for the valet, police cars pulling me over for
no apparent reason. I know what its like to have people tell
me I cant do something because of my color
(Race, 276)
Obama always remember what his parents once told him about diversity
that everyone in this world is the same. Accordingly uplift moral is highly
appreciated and graded in his sight and he wants to accommodate the
American dreams through his achievements in joining politic stage so that
what peopleboth white and blackconsider about racism will change.
They must set their mind that diversity is beautiful, just like a rainbow
which never consists of one color only.
Americans in the past strongly possible were too sensitive so that
blacks as the victims of racial discrimination against the condition by
conducting their hope for beautiful life, freedom from slavery and
happiness that all should have possessed. Seemingly, black Americans
were the people who had had a wide space in creating the American
dreams.
He believes that America should go back to the traits, the values they
posses. Self-Made Man, Individualism, from Rigs to the Riches; they must
reflect to Americans without looking at gender and race. Therefore, after
realizing what he had experienced about stereotype, he and Michelle want

77
to teach their children about diversity, they must continually vigilant
against some of debilitating story lines that their children may absorb from
TV and music, friends and the street. Because this is one of black
responsibilities to change the wrong judgment and a failure of their
ancestors to make the American dreams come true, .for much better future
You must never ever concede that only black responsibility

can truly lift blacks into parity with whites. If blacks should
be responsible for their own uplift, then it is not racist for
whites to expect them to do so, Steel offered in A Bound Man.
(Asim Jabari, 11)
It is not doubt that finally Pedersen writes in Obamas America that
Obama as a member of a new generation of black politicians with no
personal memory of the Civil Rights movement, he has had to overcome
the skepticism that many of the older generation of leaders voiced about
the viability of his candidacy. Two veterans of the Civil Rights movement,
James Clyburn, the House Majority Whip (D-SC), and John Lewis, a
Democratic Congressman from Georgia, initially held back in endorsing
Obama (2009: 49).
For that reason, Obama through his second book wants to call on
people of color to give up the mantle of victimhood and persecution that
can limit their potential to reach the achievements in life and the American
dreams: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

BAB V
CONCLUSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS
A. Conclusions
According to the result of the discussion and analysis, Barrack
Obamas Biography The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the
American Dreams has really reflected in American dreams: Life, Liberty
and the Pursuit of Happiness in multiculturalism society. What had been
dreamt of by the previous blacks, especially the statement from Luther
King Jr I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, sons of
former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down
together at the table of brotherhood, comes true. Obama, the first colored
man who becomes the President of America, has proved that the diversities
in American land are not the prominent obstacle in achieving true
American dreams: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. He conducts
his thoughts by writing biography The Audacity of Hope as a reflection of
American dreams.
Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness are a package of freedom
in American Amendment and those are also described in Obamas
biography as his thoughts. In his outstanding biography it can be seen that
Obama possess American cultural traits: Self-Made Man, Competitive and
Hard Work in reaching his dreams. Furthermore, freedoms which Obama
bruits are the essential of American Amendment mainly in the first
78
79
amendment about speech, press and religion; therefore there is no official
religion in the United States of America.
The different paradigm in seeing diversity can be the strength in life
especially to face the right for freedom because all people are born to be
free. Compromising and working together without looking at race and
gender are the way to reach the true American dreams: Life, Liberty and
the Pursuit of Happiness. Besides, the dreams can come true when they are
endeavored by revering the historical values. Meanwhile, from a talk show
with the Embassy of the United States of America which was held by
Cilad UPT Bahasa Unissula on September 18, 2012; factually there are
still many people consider freedom in America as a connotation sight. On
the contrary, to get the freedoms in America, people must possess
American cultural traits: Individualism, Self-Made Man, Competitive and
Work Hard. They have to be individual as a way how to be responsible to
themselves and they also must compete for pursuing the happiness.
In another side, it can be concluded that biography and/or
autobiography can be one of the unique, smart, intellectual and
professional ways to introduce person including the thoughts.
B. Suggestions
From this study, there are some suggestions to the people (readers)
in large and more specific to Literature students. First, it is wiser to us not
to judge person from the race, ethnic, culture, religion, gender and social
80
status; preventing wrong stereotype about something or someone else
because the existence of the diversities colors this world as beautiful as
rainbow. We are supposed to be selective in accepting other cultures.
Positive side of cultures can be taken and applied to our lives for examples
the American cultural traits: Individualism, Self-Made Man, Competitive
and Work hard. Second, keep struggling in achieving dreams is a
prominent way, no surrender to endeavor the dreams. Students of
Literature are expected to be very smart enough to see diversities by
comprehending cross culture understanding. Autobiography and/or
biography can be one of non-fictive literary works which is interesting to
be analyzed, so, try to make a research about this in order to make this
final project better.

81
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Shofizul Izza - American Dream As Reflected in Barrack Hussein Obama's Biography

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AMERICAN DREAMS AS REFLECTED

IN BARRACK HUSSEIN OBAMAS BIOGRAPHY

Submitted as a Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement

SULTAN AGUNG ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY

A Final Project on English Literature

AMERICAN DREAMS AS REFLECTED

Prepared and Presented by

Didik Murwantono, S. S., M. Hum Semarang, 11 October 2012

Afina Murtiningrum, S. S., M. M., M. A Semarang, 11 October 2012

A Final Project on English Literature

AMERICAN DREAMS AS REFLECTED

Prepared and Presented by

Defended before the Board of Examiners

Chairman : Didik Murwantono, S.S., M.Hum

Secretary : Afina Murtiningrum, S.S., M.M., M.A

Member : Prof. Dr. Warsono, M.A.

Semarang, 11 October 2012

College of Languages UNISSULA

Drs. Widiyanto, M. Si., Ph. D.

future, I absolutely agree to accept an academic sanction in the form of revocation

of my paper and my degree obtained from that paper.

Semarang, 25 September 2012

In life, Allah doesnt give me the people I want:

Instead He gives me the people I needto teach me,

to hurt me and to make me exactly the way I should be.

Allah is my silent partner:

(again)And Who, I hope will forgive me for my faults on the Day of

Recompense, (the Day of Resurrection) [Ash-Shuar: 78-82].

Fabiayyi aalaa i robbikumaa tukadzdzibaan

This Final Project is dedicated to:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Alhamdulillah, this study is finally finished. Peace Be Upon

Muhammad Shallallahu Alaihi Wassalam who always gives the best

opportunity, the writer would like to say thanks to the following:

1. Prof. DR. Laode M. Kamaluddin, M.Sc., M.Eng. as the Rector of

Sultan Agung Islamic University.

2. Drs. Widiyanto, M.Si., Ph.D. as the Dean of College of Languages

Sultan Agung Islamic University.

3. Mr. Didik Murwantono, S.S., M.Hum. as my major advisor, who has

guided and encouraged me to do the research.

4. Mrs. Afina Murtiningrum, S.S., M.M., M.A. as my second advisor and

examiner, who has been very patient in guiding me to finish this

5. Prof. Dr. Warsono, M.A. as my first examiner, who gives useful

6. My lovely parents, my dear brothers and sisters, my cute nephews and

7. My beloved Ali Murtando, S.E., who loves and supports me.

cimel, and my classmates,

Semarang, 25 September 2012

VALIDATION ................................................................................... iii

ACKNOWLEDGMENT ................................................................... vii

TABLE OF CONTENT .................................................................... ix

LIST OF FIGURE ............................................................................. xii

ABSTRACT ....................................................................................... xiii

ABSTRAKSI ....................................................................................... xiv

A. Background for Choosing the Subject ........................... 1

B. Scope of the Study ......................................................... 8

C. Problem Formulation ..................................................... 8

D. Objective of Study ......................................................... 8

E. Significance of Study ..................................................... 9

F. Presentation of Study ..................................................... 9

BAB II : REVIEWS OF LITERATURE

1. Republican and Democrats......................................... 11

8. The World beyond Our Borders ................................. 18

B. Related Theories ............................................................ 19