The Coalwood Way
by Homer Hickam
Chapter 8 ~ A Rocket Kind of Day
Discussion ~
Fans of the Rocket Boys
storyline will finally get a little satisfaction in this chapter, as AUK XXII-F
gets tested (and so do several friendships). Sonny shows that he has
"test objectives of the day", proving that he takes this hobby very seriously.
Homer gives us a little more of his philosophy about unions, and Elsie imagines
a "comeback" with plans for a Christmas pageant that Sonny wants no part
of. All these plot lines will provide hinges for irony later on.
This is also a major chapter for gaining insight into the feeling, emotions,
and philosophy of the author and some of his characters.
Writers' Workshop ~
(1) Utilizing another
potential aphorism, Sonny says, "You don't have to stir the pot if you don't
put anything in it." There are many different applications of the concept
of "stirring the pot", but how is Sonny using it here? Often we don't
want people stirring the pot, but here Sonny seems to be encouraged to do
so, yet refuses. Look how he turns this around from its regular usage.
What would he accomplish here by stirring?
(2) In a masterful segment,
the author interjects no less than 6 different plot lines into the scene
surrounding the disassembly of the Veterans' Day float. List the plot
mentioned and make a note as to how each one is summarized or advanced.
Note particularly how the final one adds a new plot line that contains the
element of foreshadowing as well. Why is this chapter an appropriate
time for such a structure? Looking only at this part, what would you
predict to happen in the next chapter?
Freud's Couch ~
(1) The fence-line gossips
take a small incident and find a way to attach to it everything they hold
against the Hickams. What is their motivation for doing so? What
do they hope to gain by being so mean? How would you expect Homer and
Elsie to react when they hear of such gossip? Have you ever participated
in this type of "gripe session"? Were your motivations any different?
(2) Elsie plans the
Christmas pageant as her "comeback", but Sonny refuses to participate in
any way. Near the end of the chapter he asks a very personal, but universal
question, "Was this a part of growing up, wanting to hurt the people who
loved me the most?" Well, what do you think? Have you ever felt
this way? What are the ramifications of behaving in such a way?
Can we ever fully recover all the elements of our relationship with our parents
after an incident like this? In some strange way, do parents actually
expect us to behave thus?
(3) Sonny acknowledges
that thoughts of Poppy might be making him feel maudlin at this traditionally
festive time of year. I would also admit to uneasy feelings near the
anniversaries of my parents' deaths. Why do we associate certain times
of the year with these losses? How long would you expect such feelings
to last? How might we remedy these feelings?
(4) Why do you think
Billy Rose is so defensive with Sonny about the rocket? (Look for several
elements.)
(5) Elsie confides to
Sonny that she has lost many friendships due to Homer's role at the mine.
Why has this happened to her? Why does he feel so uncomfortable having
a parent share adult concerns with him? How do you feel when your parents
discuss adult issues with you?
(6) Coach Gainer serves
his role (philosopher who contributes insight) when he says, "A woman's mildness
will provoke a man's guilt far better than ever her wrath." What exactly
does he mean by this? How does it apply in this situation? Is
he correct? (It is a WV trait to state simple philosophical truths
in formal, nearly Biblical, verbiage. Why do you think that is?)
(7) In another very
personal, revealing comment, Sonny observes that Daisy Mae can find "tranquillity
after disappointment", expressing doubt that he will ever be like that.
Do you understand what he means by this? How are you likely to respond
after such disappointments? How do you think his prediction has turned
out? Did Sonny ever find a way to find tranquillity after disappointment?
Could there be any positive applications of this personality trait?
Mountaineer Morality ~ See F.C. #6, but there are no other items
for this chapter.