"Rocket Boys"

Paper Summary:

This paper provides a chapter by chapter review of Homer Hickman's book "Rocket Boys." It begins with chapters six to seven and takes the reader through the book, up until chapter fourteen. In each section, the paper describes the events of each set of chapters and briefly explains the theme and message that can be taken from that section of the book.

Table of Contents:
Rocket Boys: Chapters 6-7
Rocket Boys Ch.8-9
Rocket Boys Ch. 10-11
Rocket Boys Ch.12-14

From the Paper:

"One of the most interesting aspects of this scene is how it echoes many other scenes in Rocket Boys where women help Homer succeed, even while less forward-thinking, jealous, or brutish men do not. Homer's father wants him to work for the mines; Homer's mother wants him to become a scientist. Homer's principal makes the curriculum more difficult only when the school's future football seasons are threatened, Homer's teacher encourages him to shoot for the stars. Even the girls protect the Rocket Club members from the football players at the school and the school even has a female librarian who helps Homer and Miss Riley get the important book on rocket design. "Sonny, it may take awhile, but I believe you can learn the things that are in that book," says Miss Riley, and urges him to enter the science fair (207). Admiration (and perhaps a bit of a schoolboy crush) for Miss Riley acts as a powerful motivational force that drives the young Homer's ambition. "'Miss Riley,' I said, 'if you want me to enter I'll do it'" (207)."

More papers on "Rocket Boys":

• Book Review # 96818 : "Rocket Boys"
• Analytical Essay # 56827 : "Rocket Boys"
• Analytical Essay # 24799 : "The Rocket Boys"

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