Preview

Analysis Of Homer Hickam's October Sky

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
99 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Analysis Of Homer Hickam's October Sky
Thus far, in Homer Hickam’s October Sky, Homer Jr’s parents Homer Sr. and Elsie both have varying ideas of what their son should do with his life. Although Homer Sr. wants him to enter a career most boys in Coalwood will pursue, Elsie, the more understanding parent, wants Homer to go to college, build rockets and make it out of Coalwood. Despite Homer Jr almost blowing up the entire backyard Elsie continues to tell Homer to keep at it regardless of Homer Sr’s opinion on the matter. Elsie tells her son, “You’ve got to get out of Coalwood”(Hickam 50).

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    In “Eagle Song” an author named Joy Harjo uses an expanded metaphor that depicts a prayer to an eagle which explains how prayers are out of people’s control. This poem uses symbolism to depict the circle of life from the author’s abstract perspective. Joy starts off the poem by introducing the idea that prayers are carried out of people and into the “sky, to earth, to sun, to moon.” Despite the ability that humans have to pray to these four objects, it is impossible to their prayers to be answered; although some prayers may seem to be answered because opportunity for good fortune is a possibility. Joy reiterates her realization throughout that poem that…

    • 328 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Some of the nation’s most-loved literary masterpieces were written by South Australian authors. From Storm Boy to Possum Magic, local wordsmiths have inspired minds for generations. Fritz investigates some of the best imaginations and books to come out of SA. Ready to get lit(erate)?…

    • 196 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Principles Of October Sky

    • 735 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Change is Constant, is one of the High Five Principles. In life, many things change constantly and adaptability is very important. In October Sky, the beginning of the space age is announced with the Sputnik Satellite is launched. Most of Coalwood seemed to ignore this new concept while Homer adapted and was inspired to build a rocket. Later on, Homer and his friends were no longer allowed to build and test rockets on the mine property. However, they adapted and hiked 8 miles out of town every time…

    • 735 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    It has been argued that Colin Kaepernick kneeling while the National Anthem is playing, is absolutely ridiculous, is not showing support for love of this country, and not showing support to the veterans. In “The Perilous Fight,” Jim Brown, a NFL Hall of Famer and a civil rights activist. Told Time, “I would not do anything that has to do with respecting the flag or the national anthem. I don’t think it’s appropriate.” In other words Jim Brown would challenge the normal of standing for the Anthem, no matter the severity of the situation. For this reason opponents argue that Colin Kaepernick kneeling down is not right for him to be testing the flag; but it’s not also right for the police of America to be able to go on a killing spree and have…

    • 173 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    “He weighs the volume in his hand; this one book has been the center of the whirlwind. Then DRUMMOND notices the Bible, on the JUDGE’S bench. He picks up the Bible in his other hand; he looks from one volume to the other, balancing them thoughtfully, as if his hands were scales. He half-smiles, half-shrugs. Then DRUMMOND slaps the two books together and jams them in his briefcase, side by side. ) At the end of the trial, Henry Drummond finally learns to accept Darwinism with the Bible. He understands that they can exist together and that they don’t have to be exclusive. The lesson from the author is that Darwinism and the Bible should be equal and be treated fairly. Sometimes, there can’t be only one right side of the issue because people…

    • 926 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Half The Sky Summary

    • 1112 Words
    • 5 Pages

    In the book Half the Sky by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn there were many arguments about the UNFPA which was created in 1969, giving the award of Population Award gold medal to Qian Xinzhong, who was forcing abortions in China and was the head of the family planning program. This set up a controversial issue with the United States government because it couldn 't do anything to hurt China so it got rid of the funding for UNFPA. The United States government wanted to bring up the issue of family planning especially with birth control use, abstinence-only programs and the control of abortions in Africa. There are many people who have HIV and AIDS that could be prevented if those programs were effective. The author tries to make a point that on both sides of this issue need to be more flexible and and try to make things work for the health of the women and men, with this issue. The argument in the book is facing against the Republicans and Democrats and how us Americans need to play a role in family planning and birth control uses.…

    • 1112 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In The Lamp at Noon by Sinclair Ross, the author suggests that the desperate act of protecting a belief can bring others to their limit. In the excerpt, Paul and Ellen are arguing over whether they should move back into town or stay working as farmers. Paul does not understand the desperation in Ellen, and Ellen does not understand why Paul would want to stay there.…

    • 801 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    When the world of light is plunged into darkness, when what you know has vanished before your eyes, how could you not scream from the top of your lungs? Normal people often scream as a way to relieve the heightened distress accumulated over time or when they are simply scared. The fear of change, or Metathesiophobia, grows and develops with us as we, humans, revolutionize and evolve into what we are today. Change is fearsome even foreboding for those who like routine and regime in their everyday lives. Losing control of the methodical system, that you are so accustomed to, can cause intense insecurity, uncertainty, and in a way a freedom you can’t control. It petrifies me how Dillard illustrates the total eclipse as a living death, “There was…

    • 243 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Death is part of life, weather you believe in a life after, or not. The story “Thanatopsis” by William Cullen Bryant, and the songs “Don’t fear the Reaper” by Blue Oyster Cult and “Dust in the Wind” by Kansas, all illustrate death in some way. Though each artist has a different view of death, then the other.…

    • 530 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    October Sky: Film Review

    • 532 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Since Joe Johnston’s movie “October Sky” was released in 1999, many people have been inspired, and also emotionally affected by this movie. Many people can relate to the protagonists (Homer Hickam) situation and may have been helped by this movie. “October Sky” is biography, drama type of movie and which is based on a real life story. Long story short, “October Sky” is a movie about a boy which lives in a town called Coalwood which is in West Virginia. The future of people living there is to become a coal miner, or if lucky you receive a football scholarship. Homer is inspired by the Soviet Satellite “Sputnik” and wants to build professional rockets and enter the science fair. His final goal is to receive a scholarship and leave Coalwood and enter a college where he can study and become a scientist. Out of the many who don’t believe in him, his mother Elise Hickam, and Miss Riley are the only two which are supportive and help him reach his goal. His friends also support him and help him into entering the science fair, and winning first place prize with scholarships…

    • 532 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the novel Saving Sky by Diane Stanley, a thirteen-year-old named Sky Brightman lives in a world of war, terrorism, and unfair prejudice. She is remarkably unaffected by it all, until her friend Kareem is in danger. His family is taken to deportation centers because of their Middle Eastern background, and Kareem is the next target. He must seek refuge with Sky’s family. Although both Kareem and Sky know the world can be dark and unfair, Sky tends to be more of an optimist while Kareem is a realist.…

    • 574 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    E. L. Doctorow’s Ragtime was a very interesting historical fiction reading that showed the great wealth inequality that occurred between the rich and poor in New York City during the early 20th century. One interesting passage that I found shocking was how Jacob Riis made maps in the latter end of Chapter 3. I previously knew that Jacob Riis took pictures showing the horrific nature of tenements; a fact that is shown in the novel as well with Doctorow writing, “The tenements glowed like furnaces and the tenants had no water to drink. The sink at the bottom of the stairs was dry” and “The bedroom, although it had a window, was almost as dark as the front room. It looked out on an air shaft.” It is shown that the nature of living in the tenements…

    • 263 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    plot. The story would not be so interesting if it weren't for the last line of the…

    • 486 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    In this excerpt, Cochran disagrees with the body of criticism which finds The Sun Also Rises overtly cynical, focusing instead on the circularity of the human condition.…

    • 3884 Words
    • 16 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    One day the boys were arrested for starting a fire in Welch with their rockets. Once again many would have given up at this point. Said that it was fun while it lasted. For a while they did too. Homer's dad got hurt not long after the arrest, and Homer dropped out of school to go work in the mine to help support the family. One day after his father was better and back working in the mine Homer visited Ms. Riley. After that visit he started reading about rockets again one night, and with a little help from Quentin was able to use math to prove that they hadn't started the fire in Welch and was able to find the one unaccounted for rocket.…

    • 664 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays