October Sky

Study Guide Student Copy

All references come from the Dell Edition of October Sky, copyright 1998. Chapter 1

Vocabulary
sonorous full, deep, or rich sound deference a courteous regard or respect expansive characterized by a free and generous nature 1. Where does the story take place? What is significant about this locale and why does it cause a conflict for Sonny? 2. What does it mean to be company owned? 3. How does Sonny feel about his fathers apparent preference for his brother Jim? Does his fathers opinion of him influence him in any way? Explain.

Chapter 2 Vocabulary
paregoric a medicine that soothes or lessens pain decorum good taste in behavior, speech, dress, etc. switchback a road or railroad following a winding or zigzag course up a steep grade proclivity a natural tendency in human nature; inclination mortified feeling shame or humiliation abject- miserable; wretched inexorable unrelenting; inflexible ineffectually not producing a desired effect 1. Explain this statement: I guess its fair to say there were two distinct phases to my life in West Virginia: everything that happened before October 5, 1957, and every thing that happened afterward. (Pg.18)

2. Explain the significance of the two quotations that follow: I would tell people some years later that I was raised an only child and so was my brother and It became apparent that, as my fathers son, I was marked by his position. (Pgs. 21,25)

3. For what can the miners in Caretta not forgive Homer? Why?

4. What prompts Elsie to believe that those Caretta people werent much punkin and funny turned too? (Pg. 26) What do you think this statement means?

5. How do Homer and Jim feel about Sonny and the band? How do they show their feelings?

6. What factors contribute to Sonnys statement, I was starting to see myself past Coalwood? (Pg.36)

7. What are the reactions of Homer, Elsie, and Jim when Sonny tells them that he is going to build a rocket? Explain how each different reaction is typical of each persons feelings toward Sonny.

8. Rank the following in order of importance to Coalwood and explain why you put them in the order you did: Sputnik Football Coal mining

Chapter 3 Vocabulary
duress coercion or compulsion dissemble to conceal under a false appearance 1. Give three reasons why Elsie encourages Sonny to build a rocket. 2. How does Homer respond when Elsie tells him that Sonny wants to build a rocket? What does this tell you about Homer?

Chapter 4 Vocabulary
chided scolded; blamed unbidden not commanded; uninvited entity a thing that has real or individual existence lucrative producing wealth or profit surreptitiously in a

secret, stealthy way 1. Why does Homer devote so much of himself (time, energy) to the mine? 2. Explain the conversation between Homer and Mr. Dubonnet regarding the unions threat to strike. Why is this conversation important? S-4

Chapter 5 Vocabulary
expound to set forth point by point resolutely with a fixed, firm purpose; in a determined way insidious characterized by treachery or slyness gouged defrauded; swindled cohesiveness the state of unity; sticking together defunct no longer living or operating cherubic angelic 1. What does Sonny learn from Quentins point of view about failure? 2. Mr. Dubonnet explains some hard truths to Sonny about Homer and the future of Coalwood. Explain and analyze this conversation. S-5

Chapter 6 Vocabulary
dispelling scattering; driving away nefarious very wicked; villainous chagrined sorrowful; gloomy; disappointed precipice a steep cliff or crag pernicious causing injury, destruction, or ruin; deadly speculatively in a risky way insatiable constantly wanting more; never satisfied cupidity strong desire, especially for wealth prodigious wonderful; amazing or huge in importance cogitative capable of thinking 1. Why is it so unusual to think of a science trophy being in the Big Creek High School trophy case? 2. Why does Sonny think that Big Creek students cannot win at the Science fair? 3. Explain Homers reaction when Auk IV hits the brick wall of his office. Include his feelings about Sonny and Mr. Bykovsky. S-6

Chapter 7 Vocabulary
revulsion a sudden negative and complete change of feeling endemic prevalent in a particular region, locality, or group 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Compare and contrast Elsies reaction to the incident to Homers. How does Ike tell Sonny to repay him for his help? Why is this significant? How does the BCMA become an enemy organization? What is the significance of the Great Six meeting with Elsie and Mrs. Van Dyke? Discuss the exchange between Elsie and Homer after she tells him about the meeting with

the Great Six. What rare occurrence happens between Homer and Sonny as a result of this exchange? Do you think that Reverend Laniers sermon is a turning point in the story? Explain your opinion. S-7

Chapter 8 Vocabulary
admonished warned; cautioned mundanely- routinely; in an ordinary way sniveling displaying grief in a whining manner fabricating making up; inventing amiably in a friendly manner discordant not in harmony; disagreeing 1. 2. 3. Explain how the football suspension and the school restructuring are related. Compare and contrast Sonnys and Jims reaction to the football suspension. Why does Jim blame Homer for the suspension? S-8

Chapter 9 Vocabulary
transient not permanent; passing quickly tortuous full of twists and turns doggedly stubbornly; persistently 1. Why is the opening of the coal preparation plant in Caretta a turning point? 2. What conclusion does Sonny reach about Homers allowing him to have some leftover, rained-on bags of cement for Camp Coalwood? 3. What is Sonnys reaction to seeing Jupiter through Jakes telescope? 4. What irony is there in being able to see Jupiter? How is this a symbol for Sonnys life? S-9

Chapter 10 Vocabulary
sullen showing ill humor by unsociable withdrawal besmirched insulted; soiled; stained dubious causing doubt; vague primordial existing at or from the beginning 1. What is Mr. Hartsfields reaction to Sonnys questions about trigonometry? What does Sonny do as a result? 2. What does Sonny feel is a message from God? (Pg. 170) How do Reverend Lanier and Reverend Richard respond to Sonnys theory? 3. Why is chemistry Sonnys favorite subject in eleventh grade? What connection does Miss Riley make between building rockets and writing poetry? Why was this conversation so important to Sonny? 4. How is NASAs failed Pioneer I project a significant event for the Rocket Boys? S-10

Chapter 11 Vocabulary
predecessor one who comes before barrage a heavy, prolonged attack heathen savage; pagan

1. Tell about the conversation between Homer and Sonny regarding engineering, and explain its significance. 2. Why does Homer decide to take Sonny into the mine? 3. Why is Sonny so surprised when Homer tells him how he feels about the mine? 4. What does Homer mean when he tells Sonny, Youre my boy? (Pg. 202) How does Sonny interpret the statement? Explain the difference. 5. What is Elsies reaction to Sonnys trip to the mine? Why? S-11

Chapter 12 Vocabulary
spasmodically in a sudden, violent, or fitful way parameters guidelines audacity boldness 1. Why does Sonny keep telling Miss Riley that the Rocket Boys are not ready for the science fair? 2. What is Elsies Christmas gift to Sonny in 1958, and what was its significance?

Chapter 13 Vocabulary
precarious potentially dangerous traitorous disloyal; untrustworthy rapture bliss; delight 1. What is Miss Rileys gift to Sonny, and what is its significance? 2. Why does Geneva Eggers help Sonny? Why does she ask him to not tell his mother about their meeting? 3. What does Homer tell Sonny about Geneva Eggers? How does Sonny react? S-12

Chapter 14 Vocabulary
payload cargo trajectories the curved paths of projectiles hurtling through space 1. Describe Elsie and Homers conversation after the pillar explosion in the mine, and explain each persons point of view.

Chapter 15 Vocabulary
daunting overwhelming; intimidating flange bulge; protrusion 1. What is Mr. Hartsfields response when Sonny asks him to teach a calculus class? 2. What is Mr. Turners response when Miss Riley asks him to allow the calculus class? 3. What irony does Sonny experience when the calculus class is finally allowed? 4. What is the significance of Sonny finding Homers advanced math book? 5. Why do you think that both Homer and Geneva Eggers are insistent that Sonny not tell his mother about his encounter with Geneva? S-13

Chapter 16 Vocabulary
vehemence passion; intense feeling 1. What finally convinces Sonny to enter the science fair? 2. Why does Quentin say, Youre the key, Sonny. Youre our ticket to college? (Pg. 270)

3. Sonny is confident that he will get approval from Homer for Mr. Caton to order seamless tubing. What makes him so sure?

Chapter 17
1. What happens at the Dugout that shatters Sonnys confidence? How does he respond? How does the experience make him feel? 2. Why does Sonny end up feeling sorry for Buck? 3. After the second accident in the mine, how does Elsie react? S-14

Chapter 18 Vocabulary
colloquial having to do with conversation 1. Why does Elsie slap Sonny and tell him that he is selfish after the mine accident? How does Sonny feel about this? 2. What does the doctor tell Sonny about Homer? What does he tell him when Sonny wants to take the blame for Ikes death? How does Sonny interpret the normal conversation he hears as people were leaving the mine after the accident? 3. Explain this statement: The sound of the screen door hung in the air, as if every door in Coalwood were slamming shut in my face, one after the other... (Pg. 292) S-15

Chapter 19 Vocabulary
stolid having or showing little or no emotion abomination anything hateful and disgusting 1. What do you think Sonny means when he says, ...I still saw a gray, ugly crust on everything and everybody that would never come off? (Pg. 295) 2. What is the new course Sonny chooses for himself as a result of his guilt over the mine accident? 3. Who finally changes his mind? How? 4. How does Sonny demonstrate his new resolve?

Chapter 20
1. How does the camping trip to Big Branch make Sonny feel? Why? 2. What surprising reactions does Sonny get from Homer and Jim when he finally returns home from the camping trip? S-16

Chapter 21 Vocabulary
marauded raided; plundered belatedly late; overdue; after the fact 1. What is the miners union response to the mining company selling all of the houses? 2. Interpret the symbolism of Sonnys statement about Homer, He seemed somehow smaller than I remembered him being... (Pg. 332) 3. Why does Homer drive Sonny out to Camp Coalwood?

Chapter 22 Vocabulary
furtive done or acting in a stealthy manner protocol customs; rules; manners 1. How does Mr. Turner show his support for the Rocket Boys entering the McDowell

County Science Fair? 2. What subject does Sonny think he and his father can have a conversation about? Tell about this exchange. S-17

Chapter 23
1. Why does Sonny believe that the Rocket Boys have no chance of winning at the science fair? 2. How does Sonny deal with Daisy Maes death? Why does he for the first time miss his brother?

Chapter 24 Vocabulary
scintilla a particle; the least trace of 1. What does Mr. Turner do to show his support of the Rocket Boys when they learn that they will be competing in the National Science Fair? 2. Why do you think that Sonny keeps having headaches and nausea during this time? 3. How does Sonny finally honor Daisy Mae? To what realization does he come, and what does he decide to do? S-18

Chapter 25
1. How does Miss Riley help Sonny prepare for the National Science Fair? Even though she is very ill, she seems to bounce back during this time. Do you think that helping Sonny actually helped her heal? 2. When Sonny gets to the National Science Fair, he is further discouraged about his project. Why? 3. Tex tells Sonny, Youre not up here just to compete in a science fair...youre up here to win for all those people back in your little town. (Pg. 399) Do you think this is true? Why or why not? 4. What is so unique about the way the Rocket Boys win the Nationals? 5. Compare and contrast the different ways that Miss Riley, Elsie, and Homer say goodbye to Sonny before his trip to Indianapolis. 6. Jake tells Sonny, Theres nothing wrong with that, you know feeling good. You ought to give it a try sometime. (Pg. 406) Why do you think that Sonny has trouble finding enjoyment in life? S-19 Chapter 26 1. Analyze Sonnys conclusion, Jake had it right. Theres a plan. If youre willing to fight it hard enough, you can make it detour for a while, but youre still going to end up wherever God wants you to be. (Pg. 411)