ipl-logo

Influence In Sonny's 'Rocket Boys'

532 Words3 Pages

Sonny’s mother was an important influence on Sonny. Believe it or not Homer was an important influence of Sonny also. Sonny was given inspiration from his mother and something to work against with his father. “To get out of here, you’ve got to show your dad you’re smarter than he thinks. I believe you can build a rocket. He doesn’t. I want you to show him I’m right and he’s wrong. Is that too much to ask?” (51-52). Sonny’s mom wanted him to succeed, that influenced him to succeed. Morale support is much needed when trying to accomplish something that seems impossible to everyone else. Sonny’s mother was also important because she was an example of non conformity of Coalwood. She hated being a miners wife and wanted to escape to Myrtle Beach, I think that is also an influence she has on Sonny, she wants to get out and that makes him want to get out. Sonny says “He’s against me building …show more content…

The Rocket Boys mainly Sonny, wanted to prove Homer wrong. He was against it from the very start but as the novel goes on Homer starts to grow more lenient on the Rocket Boys. Homer always supported Jim over Sonny. Jim was the football star, the one to be proud of while Sonny wasn’t. Homer wanted Sonny to work in the mine just like he did because he felt like Sonny wasn't’ smart enough to capable enough to get out of Coalwood. Homer is disappointed because Sonny wasn't what Homer wanted him to be. It’s hard for Sonny to deal with the disappointment that he gives to his father but it does influence him. He worked to prove him wrong and to not disappoint him. By the end of the novel Homer accepts the fact that sonny isnt what he wants him to be. Homer eventually goes to their last rocket launching and launches the rocket at Sonny’s request. That request is an example of the influence Homer had on Sonny, even with all of the negativity that Homer brought to Sonny, Sonny still wanted Homer to launch their last

Show More
Related
411 Words | 2 Pages

She told him that if he was going to “stop making rockets now, you’ll regret it maybe for the rest of your life.” Sonny’s dad wasn’t supportive whatsoever of him making

Read More
941 Words | 4 Pages

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

Read More
571 Words | 3 Pages

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.

Read More
521 Words | 3 Pages

James Baldwin's "Sonny's Blues" analyzes a very complex relationship between the narrator and his brother, Sonny. Before directing to the attention of the relationship between these two brothers, we have to first understand the personality of each character. Initially, the narrator has a stable job as a hardworking math teacher and makes an effort to assimilate himself to his surroundings, but has never comprehended his brother, Sonny. Sonny is the complete opposite of the narrator. Sonny separates from his brother to become a Blues musician, though becomes addicted to drugs, such as heroin, in order to control his own feelings.

Read More
255 Words | 2 Pages

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

Read More
365 Words | 2 Pages

Sonny’s letter written to the narrator in response to the news of the narrator’s daughter dying serves an important role in the story by reestablishing the relationship between the brothers and giving the reader insight into the misery that Sonny felt as a result of his actions. It is revealed to the reader that before the narrator had written his letter to Sonny, that the two had not been on speaking terms for a long time. After hearing of the news, Sonny wrote the letter back to the narrator which formally began their newfound connection to each other. It is revealed within the letter Sonny’s reasoning’s behind his imprisonment as well as the sadness he felt within. Sonny describes himself as “trying to climb up out of some deep, real deep

Read More
1373 Words | 6 Pages

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.

Read More
1417 Words | 6 Pages

They both went through the same childhood, but handled it differently. The narrator was more mature and had set goals. While Sonny, fell into the depth of his feeling and influences. The narrator cares for his brother and feels as if he has failed him. While his brother feels like he could never truly explain anything to the narrator.

Read More
552 Words | 3 Pages

Sonny knows that he is suffering and is hurting others in his wrong actions. I am glad our parents are dead because they won’t see what is happening to their

Read More
1184 Words | 5 Pages

Once the narrator arrives to Sonny’s apartment they are reunited but get into an altercation. It ends with the narrator exiting the room filled with sorrow and anger. “I started down the steps whistling to keep from crying. I kept whistling to

Read More
1584 Words | 7 Pages

For all the characters, Sonny was a son who helped his family and embraced his African heritage; these features were really considered and respected. Contrary to the narrator who melted or tried to melt in the American culture in order to survive, but the turning point occurred when he lost his daughter; so he recognize the pain of the others as well as his brother that he was forgotten during years ago. Besides, thanks to his brother’s music the narrator finds redemption. The evolution of the character’s trait moves from being a selfish person to a suffering man who finally finds peace deep inside himself.

Read More
1191 Words | 5 Pages

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.

Read More
1337 Words | 6 Pages

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

Read More
713 Words | 3 Pages

But Sonny’s determination to keep working on the rockets eventually leaded his father to give them a place to launch their rockets. Sonny and his friends, now calling themselves the Rocket Boys, started putting ads in the newspaper so people could come watch

Read More
388 Words | 2 Pages

Sonny is the main character in the story who has been through a lot in life. He wanted to be a jazz musician. After going through all the trouble, Sonny was a great musician and he loved to play music more than anything. He used music to escape from all the bad things around him. Most black people grow up in the slums and it is extremely hard to make it out of there without getting stuck on something bad.

Read More

More about Influence In Sonny's 'Rocket Boys'

Open Document