Becoming

In Becoming, the new White House Garden is one of Michelle’s biggest initiatives as First Lady. On the surface, what is the primary purpose of her garden initiative? Reflect on and discuss the deeper symbolic meaning of the garden, using the following questions as a guide for your discussion:

• How did Michelle’s White House Garden disrupt the status quo?
• What did Michelle’s efforts with the garden represent with regard to national political efforts?
• How does the concept of a garden—a place where living things grow if nurtured well—fit into the larger themes of the book?
• At the end of the memoir, how does Michelle use the White House Garden as a symbol for perseverance?

Teaching Suggestion: It might be beneficial to emphasize to students that the White House Garden, in the text, is not simply a plot of land where fruits and vegetables are grown; Michelle’s efforts with the garden symbolize a larger impact she and Barack envisioned for the country. What’s more, the garden directly connects to the theme of Becoming: The garden represents a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. For further context, you may want to share The White House’s “The White House Gardens and Grounds.