Perseverance In Faulkner's October Sky

“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do” (Pele qtd. In Soccerlens). Countless people have done amazing things through perseverance. Sonny was an average boy in a mining town, but he started building rockets and learned a valuable life lesson. Through perseverance, you can accomplish your dreams. This theme is shown in the memoir October Sky, and is seen in topics such as, Sonny’s pursuit of education, his rockets, and his relationship with his father.

A vital part of Sonny’s life during the days of the Rocket Boys was education. "I trudged up the stairs. At the top of the steps in the hall there was a huge bookcase six shelves tall. I turned on the hall light and

At the beginning of the book, their relationship was distant. This is shown when Sonny’s father invites him to return to Coalwood after college, Sonny harshly refuses, saying. “‘When I get out of this stinking hole, wild horses couldn't drag me back.’ My words were meant to hurt him and they did.” (Hickam 334). Sonny’s words were bitter, hitting his dad right where it hurt most. As the story continues, Sonny’s relationship with his father grew, peaking when Homer comes to witness the last few rocket launches. Homer is delighted to light the fuse for the last rocket. By the end of the book, you can tell how much their relationship improved over the years of the Rocket Boys.

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