Name Group Assignment

: Ahmad Hafifi bin Hamdan : Austin : Film Analysis I October Sky

Answer the questions below relating to the movie. 1. Where and when does the story take place? The story took place in Coalwood, West Virginia in the year 1957 when Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first man-made satellite. 2. What inspired Homer to build and launch his homemade rockets? When Homer saw the Sputnik orbiting the earth in the night sky from his house, he was inspired to build a rocket because that was his way to get out of Coalwood. He told his family about it during breakfast. He searched for books in bookshop to do research about rockets. He even befriended a nerd, Quentin, to help him in achieving his dream. Dr. von Braun, who sent a letter and autographed picture of himself, also inspired Homer to be a rocket scientist. Miss Riley also inspired Homer as she continuously supported the Rocket Boys to achieve their dream.

3. How is Homer s father portrayed in the movie? Throughout the movie, Homer s father had been a very strict father and did not support Homer s dream to build rocket. Although he did not support the idea of the rocket building, he still helped him throughout the cause. Homer s father was very delightful when Homer stopped build rockets and helped him in the coal mine. Homer s father was also a local hero because he had saved miners from death in the coal mine. Besides that, he believed that coal mining was the only way for a normal West Virginian to lead a life. Homer s father was very strict in his work and really hoped that his sons will follow his footsteps. 4. What did the Rocket Boys prove by their success? Despite the local West Virginian did not like the idea of building rockets there, the Rocket Boys built countless rocket prototypes. With their success of winning the State and National Science Fair, they proved that nothing is impossible. It is normal for people to

settle down with conventional activities, but the Rocket Boys proved that trying new things could yield better results in the end. Even the locals were in awe and happy for them when the Rocket Boys won the National Science Fair. Everyone watched the last rocket that was launched by Homer s father at the Snakeroot. Homer proved to his father that he can become successful with his dream.

5. Describe each character in detail. a. Homer When he first saw Sputnik throughout the space, he was very determined to build rocket even though he knew that his father will be against it. He became more interested with studies that are related with rockets. He even broke the bubble and befriended with Quentin, a nerd in his class because Quentin knew a lot about rockets. Homer was very grateful that some of the locals were very helpful in the beginning of his dream to build rockets. Homer also did not like the idea of mining coal for a job because Odell s dad died in the mine and Roy Lee s step dad became the biggest drunk in West Virginia. He respected his father even though his father did not support him in his dream. Homer stood firm with his belief that he can succeed with his dream to be a rocket scientist. b. Miss Riley She was really supportive with what the boys were doing. She even gave Homer a rocket science book to make him more enthusiastic about rockets. She also protected Homer and his friends from their principal who said that the boys were wasting time and causing trouble in the school property. Miss Riley was the one who persuaded the Rocket Boys to compete in the science fair by mentioning about the scholarships that they might get if they win the science fair. She loved her students and was very proud of the boys.