“We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline and effort.” Jesse Owens said discussing the correlation between determination and making dreams come true. This message translates directly to Homer Hickam 's memoir October Sky. This theme emerge very early in the book in Sonny’s many relationships; then later in his interests and goals. Sonny is determined to achieve his goals, even after multiple failures. Sonny soon recognizes these values and how they are essential component in the Rocket Boy’s success. Homer Hickam’s memoir October Sky shows through Sonny’s rocketry endeavors, his strained relationship with his father, and his overall goal to leave …show more content…
The theme of determination is really shown by the relationship between Sonny and his father. They are very different people with personalities that tend to clash. Sonny’s relationship with his father became distant when he was young, in part to his mother’s insistence. When his grandfather commented that he’s just like his father she responded by telling Sonny: “No, you’re not, you’re not.” She instilled in Sonny that he’s not like his father, which really affected Sonny and his dad’s relationship later on. It is apparent throughout the book that Sonny wants his father’s acceptance. “I listened, amazed, not that he was saying what he was saying, but that he would share such thoughts with me. I felt proud, grown-up.” This quote demonstrates Sonny’s quiet need to be appreciated by his father, even though Homer seemingly does not care about his interest in rockets. Homer Hickam Sr. at first sees Sonny as an embarrassment and was sure he was going to fail. However, when he sees Sonny’s determination to build rockets, he decides to support him. “‘No way,’ he said. ‘And that’s final.’ The tubing showed up on the back porch, later leaning against a far corner, along with some bar stock as well. I took it, no questions asked, still letting the old dog soak up the sun. If dad wanted to pretend he wasn’t really helping me, who was I to argue with him.” This quote is an example of Homer’s silent support of Sonny’s rocketry endeavors. Sonny’s father ended up being a huge help in the
Sonny’s perseverance enabled him to succeed in many areas of his life. Sonny was able to teach himself calculus, and eventually go to college. His rockets flew over six miles high, a huge difference from exploding like his first attempts, and he began to build a better relationship with his father. In each situation, Sonny’s success did not come about by skill or luck but through perse. Through perseverance anyone can accomplish their
The narrator keeps in mind that he has an obligation to watch his brother but he tore apart by his emotions which are shifting from love to hate. The reason is, he is unable to accept fully that his brother can change as much as he cares about him. Since he was young, Sonny is haunted
Trauma in Dawn and Men in the Sun. The theme of trauma is addressed differently b y the authors of Men In The Sun and Dawn , though there have a few similarities , Gahssan Kanafani in Men In The Sun gives the readers a detailed description of not only the social realities , but the political and human ones as well that characterize the basic lives of the Palestinian people during a critical point in their history when the structure of their existence, as well as the traditional order have been significantly altered by the regional as well as international events .The author describes trauma by showing the struggles and hardships that are undergone by Abu Qais , Marwan and Assa who are all in the quest for a better life . Similarly, in Dawn, Elsie describes the wait of two men for a murder that is scheduled to take place in Dawn.
(Baldwin 136)” The narrator and Sonny had an argument on why is Sonny joining the army. They argue a lot and the narrator feels like it is unhealthy for him and Sonny. We had a fight, it was very bad. So bad that I did not see him for months (Baldwin 139).
It can be seen present in many different sections throughout the story. This theme is presented to show that love will keep a family together after trails and tribulations. Although Sonny and the narrator had their fair share if arguments and fights, it was brotherly love that prevailed through it all. Which is what kept the two together as a family in the
That you shouldn’t let your living situations or surroundings determine your outcome. Sonny's Blues shows challenges that troubled the African-American community, and how drugs troubled the young artists and kept them bound like slaves. How those living in Harlem, felt like there was no escape to the poverty that surrounded them. How a young artist was overcoming his demons, with the support of his family and living out his dream. How one has to forgive and not let the past control one’s future, nor let the surroundings of your environment determine where you will go in
Sonny did not start off building rockets with much success. In fact, he burnt his mom's fence down in an explosion that scared the whole town, because they were afraid it came from the mine. However, instead of discouraging him, he kept working on the rockets; changing the body and nozzle design, using different types of propellants and metals, until it finally worked. The bad news, however, was that the rocket veered off course and hit his father’s office, causing Mr. Hickam to forbid his son from launching any more rockets.
Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide was a very important documentary based of the book by Nicholas Kristof and his wife, Sheryl WuDunn. It talks about the gender-based violence that goes on across the world. Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl both work as journalists for The New York Times. Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide was filmed in 10 countries: (Afghanistan, Cambodia, Kenya, India, Liberia, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Somalia, the United States, and Vietnam) and follows Kristof, WuDunn, and celebrity activists America Ferrera, Diane Lane, Eva Mendes, Meg Ryan, Gabrielle Union, and Olivia Wilde on a journey to tell the stories of inspiring, courageous individuals. Across the globe oppression is being confronted, and solutions are being fashioned through health care, education,
Every time the narrator attempted to control what his brother wanted to do in life, the more he lost power over his brother. Not only did he lose power he lost that deep connection one should have with their sibling. Sonny’s desire to not be powerless anymore gave him the determination to gain power which he could not handle. This lead him to lose all of that power once again. People when reading this should really consider how what they are doing to gain power is affecting others in theirs lives.
He hasn’t seen his brother in about a year, but as he is walking out of his school he notices a familiar face and it turns out being one of his brother’s old friend. The old friend spoke to the narrator about how hard Sonny’s struggle is now and how it will still be a struggle later. The narrator went
“Sonny’s Blues,” written by James Baldwin discusses conflicts between two brothers in hopes of mending their relationship. “Sonny’s Blues” begins with the unnamed narrator reading a piece of paper with information regarding the trouble his brother Sonny has gotten himself into. The narrator has not been communicating with his brother during this period, but after the death of his two-year-old daughter Grace, he writes Sonny a letter. Once Sonny has been released, he goes back to Harlem to live with the narrator, and the narrator forces him into staying with his fiancé Isabel and her family because he believes Sonny deserves the opportunity to receive an education. Sonny makes it known to the narrator that he does not want to go back to school
Although both characters were different they found an understanding by trying to feel what each other were feeling. Also by coping with their tough childhood and feelings together without directly communicating. Sonny wanted so desperately to please his brother, but couldn’t find a way to avoid Jazz but still get that feeling he craved. Sonny was clearly disappointed and embarrassed by his choice of actions and despite what anyone said, he realized the choice he made was poor and it was time to follow his dream. At the end, the narrator realizes why Sonny turned to drugs in the first place.
“Sonny’s Blues” is not just about Sonny's decisions and struggles but also about how they affect the narrator. This story is as much about family and brotherhood and the relationship between these two men as it is about the character of
This was to take up the responsibility that was given to him and to let his brother know that he has someone on his corner. “I was sitting in the living room in the dark, by myself, and I suddenly thought of Sonny. My trouble made his real” (Baldwin 378). This shows that the brother has grown sympathy for Sonny. This is because his daughter’s death caused him to really sit down and evaluate the series of events that has taken place in Sonny’s life.
In James Baldwin’s “Sonny’s Blues” the author uses Sonny’s struggle for a redeemed life to push the narrator toward the realization of his own need for rescue; through this realization, the narrator can find his identity and be free from his sadness. The narrator needs rescuing from himself. He hides behind a curtain of denial trying to protect himself from emotional reality. The narrator struggles to understand when and how Sonny began his troubles with drug addiction; he does not understand where he went wrong in being a role model for his younger brother. Now, years later the narrator is a school teacher who is trying to be a role model for the young boys in his class.