Rocket Boys Comprehension Questions

The main purpose of the town was to extract rich bituminous coal.

The author's father was the mine superintendent.

The author discovered that the enthalpy decrease in a converging passage could be transformed into jet kinetic energy if a divergent passage was added.

The author's house was situated just a few hundred yards from the mine's entrance, a vertical shaft eight hundred feet deep.

The boys stood apart and watched the men prepare for their descent into the mine, feeling unsettled when the men disappeared underground.

Coalwood was surrounded by forests, mountains, caves, cliffs, gas wells, fire towers, and abandoned mines. The author and the children in the town enjoyed exploring and rediscovering these natural features.

The boys were glad to get back to their games and intentionally made more noise than necessary to shatter the spell cast on them by the tipple.

Company-owned houses with a small monthly rent deducted from miners' pay, varying in size and style, with a fenced-off yard for each.

She had a larger yard and planted a rose garden, meticulously caring for each bush.

The town had a company-paved road, a main street, clusters of miners' houses, separate areas for the 'colored' camps, a company church, hotel, post office, and store.

He delivered newspapers on his bicycle down Main Street every day, passing by the Coalwood School and rows of houses.

Reverend 'Little' Richard, the pastor of the church in Mudhole.

Reverend Josiah Lanier, with the denomination of the preacher being determined by the company.

A stone arrowhead, hinting at the area's history before the coal mining era.

Coal mining, with the land previously being considered too rugged and uninviting for settlement.

The surrounding dense green of the forests and the gloom of the nearby mine.

The town's history, which was a significant part of their identity and instilled a strong sense of pride in living in Coalwood.

The town of Coalwood, West Virginia was described as a place where a man could make a good life for himself.

The narrator's father was raised to section foreman and taught to lead men and operate a mine.

Elsie agreed to marry the narrator's father after he promised to move to Coalwood, where there was no union.

The narrator's father lost both his legs in a mining accident.

The narrator's father used paregoric, a medication, to find some peace from continuous pain.

The narrator's father developed colon cancer in 1950 while working on an important project in the mine.

The section led by the narrator's father discovered a vast coal seam behind a rock header.

The narrator's father spent most of his time at the mine, and the family would visit Welch on Saturday nights.

Shift changes were major daily events in Coalwood, with miners forming lines as they went to and from work, and the narrator's life revolved around these shifts.

The narrator's father was committed to proving the Captain right about the coal seam, and it was of utmost importance to him.

The family's life was deeply rooted in the mining community, with the father's work and the rhythms of the mine shaping their daily routines.

The central themes in the text revolve around the narrator's father's dedication and sacrifices for his work in the mine, as well as the impact on his family.

Coalhicans

Mr. George L. Carter

Stanford University

Advanced mining technology, housing with amenities, and funding community services and infrastructure

Experiences in towns such as 'bloody Mingo'

The harsh realities of life in a coal mining town

Life in a company town and the impact of coal mining on the community and its residents

Personal experiences, historical context, and social dynamics

Violence and poverty

The town's history and daily life

When the narrator's father intervenes in the children's pretend play

Modernizing mining operations, providing housing with amenities, and funding community services and infrastructure

He had to go to church in his stocking feet the following week, and he chose socks with a hole in one of them which embarrassed his mother and made the preacher and the townspeople laugh.

He did as he was told with the enthusiasm of a prisoner going to his own beheading.

Dandy crawled up beside the narrator, whimpered briefly, and laid his head on his feet, while Poteet was off chasing bats, demonstrating the presence of the family pets during the confrontation.

He thought to himself, 'I’m really in for it this time,' indicating his anticipation of a creative and impactful punishment from his mother.

The narrator feels pressured to build another rocket after telling many people he would do so. His public announcement increases the pressure and expectations, forcing him to follow through on his commitment.

Big Creek won the final regular season football game, but the state high-school athletic association ruled that Coach Gainer’s boys were not eligible to play in the state championship game. The community reacted with instant uproar and demanded action from the Football Fathers.

The narrator's father, Dad, initially kept looking into the situation after the ruling. Eventually, he decided to go see a lawyer in Welch to address the issue.

The narrator's mother expressed disbelief and concern about the father's decision to seek legal help. Despite her reaction, the father persisted and went to see a lawyer in Welch to address the situation.

The narrator's mother expressed concern about the town's future due to declining coal demand and urged the narrator to show his father that he is capable of building a rocket and changing his mind about sending him to college.

The narrator's mother implied that if he stayed in Coalwood, he would have a limited job at the mine and expressed a desire for his brother to pursue a career outside of Coalwood, such as becoming a doctor or a dentist.

The narrator's mother revealed that she had been saving money for the narrator to attend college and urged the narrator to prove to his father that he is smarter than he thinks by building a rocket.

The narrator's mother warned him about the declining economy and the potential demise of Coalwood and the surrounding towns, emphasizing the need for him to do everything he can to get out of there.

The narrator's mother responded that it's not that his father doesn't like him, but due to the mine, he never had much time to think about him. She revealed that his father always thought about his brother, praising him as a great football player and expressing confidence in his future success in football.

The narrator's mother urged him to build a rocket to change his father's opinion about him. She believed that he could build a rocket and prove his father wrong.

The narrator's mother asserted that Coalwood was destined to decline due to the economy and the depletion of easy coal, emphasizing the need for the narrator to do everything he can to leave Coalwood.

The narrator's mother intended to use the money she had been saving to send the narrator to college. She expressed concern about her plan being considered a waste of money by the narrator's father.

The narrator twitched at his mother's unfamiliar touch and sensed that their family didn't engage in much physical affection.

The narrator's mother expressed frustration about the narrator's father's limited expectations for the narrator's future, urging him to prove his father wrong by building a rocket and showing him that he's smarter than he thinks.

The narrator's mother assessed that the narrator's father had a limited view of the narrator's future, wanting him to have a minor job at the mine. She revealed her desire for the narrator and his brother to pursue opportunities outside of Coalwood, with her brother having the chance to go to college through football.

The narrator's mom was waiting for him in the hall, and she told him to show his father that he could do something by building a rocket.

The destruction of the narrator's mom's rose-garden fence by his rocket dominated conversation, and Mr. McDuff came down from the mine to restore the fence.

The miners talked about the great blast caused by the rocket. Buck Trant made derogatory remarks about the narrator and his friends, calling them 'idiot morons' and making insulting comments about their mothers.

The bus driver, Jack, took action when Buck insulted the narrator and his friends. Both the narrator and Buck were ordered to get off the bus.

The narrator regretted insulting Buck's mother, but it was too late. After saying it, he regretted his action.

Buck threatened the narrator, but the narrator threw down his books, dodged Buck's attack, and escaped into the woods.

The destruction of the rose-garden fence by the rocket led to the restoration of the fence by Mr. McDuff, and it became the dominant conversation in Coalwood for the next week.

Buck Trant made derogatory remarks about the narrator and his friends, calling them 'idiot morons' and making insulting comments about their mothers. The narrator responded by making a mean remark about Buck's mother.

The bus driver, Jack, took action when Buck insulted the narrator and his friends. Both the narrator and Buck were ordered to get off the bus.

The narrator regretted insulting Buck's mother, but it was too late. After saying it, he regretted his action.

Buck threatened the narrator, but the narrator threw down his books, dodged Buck's attack, and escaped into the woods.

The destruction of the rose-garden fence by the rocket led to the restoration of the fence by Mr. McDuff, and it became the dominant conversation in Coalwood for the next week.

The narrator invented the Coalhicans and convinced his friends to join in.

Tony fell from a tree and broke his arm during a mock battle, and his Italian-immigrant father was killed in the mine.

Mr. Carter built houses, school buildings, churches, a company store, and other facilities, and he provided free services such as healthcare and dental care to the miners and their families.

The Captain was Mr. Carter's son's army commander, and he brought advancements in mining technology, improved living conditions for the miners, and funded various community programs and facilities.

The Captain provided every Coalwood miner a house with indoor plumbing, a Warm Morning stove, and a fully stocked coal box. He also built parks, funded organizations, and provided free cable television service.

The Captain implemented ventilation shafts, replaced mules with electric motors, introduced continuous miners, and tapped into a pristine ancient lake for the town's water supply.

Poppy talked about the violent conflicts between union miners and company 'detectives' in 'bloody Mingo,' leading to numerous casualties and injuries.

Poppy moved his family first to Harlan County, Kentucky, and then to McDowell County to escape the violence in 'bloody Mingo.'

The narrator learned about Coalwood history and his parents' early years at the kitchen table after the supper dishes were cleared, listening to his parents' stories.

The narrator perceived the company and Coalwood as one and the same, emphasizing the strong connection between the two.

The narrator's parents discussed the town, the people in it, mining activities, events at the mine, and stories about how things used to be.

The narrator was fascinated by the tales and usually stayed to listen, while his brother Jim typically got bored and asked to be excused.

The protagonist's mother

Coalwood, a town centered around a coal mine

Space and rockets

The protagonist's rocket

The decline of Coalwood

The bus driver

Threatens the protagonist

Discuss the rocket blast

Into the woods

Allergies

The school bus

The neighbor's rose-garden fence

The mother emphasizes the decline of Coalwood and urges her son to escape the town's uncertain future.

The mother reveals she has been saving money for her son's college education, but the father opposes the idea.

The mother challenges her son to prove his worth by building a rocket and changing his father's perception of him.

The son feels overwhelmed by the situation and goes to contemplate in the backyard.

The father shows urgency and frustration with work at the mine, reflecting the high stakes of the family's situation.

The son's emotional connection with the dog and the peacefulness of the backyard contrast with the family's turmoil.

The mother's emotional reaction expresses concern for the family's future.

The mother criticizes her son for drifting through life and leading friends into wild schemes. She urges him to put his mind to building a rocket.

The son expresses lack of confidence in building a rocket, and the mother encourages him to put his mind to it.

The mother reveals father's plan for son to work at the mine as a clerk, and the son questions the father's lack of affection.

The mother reveals her assessment of the father's view of the son's future and urges her son to escape the town's uncertain future.

The mother expresses concern about her son's future in Coalwood and urges him to pursue opportunities outside of the town.

Building a rocket

Pooky Suggs is a character in Coalwood who quit sixth grade to work in the mine after his father's death. He blames the narrator's father for his situation.

Pooky mocked the narrator for building a rocket and accused his father of causing his own father's death. The other men present were supportive of the narrator.

The narrator felt a little sorry for Pooky despite the confrontation.

Rocket boy

Homer faces a confrontation with Buck in the rhododendron thicket, avoiding him due to his blue suede shoes.

Homer decides to build a rocket on his own.

Homer struggles with algebra and faces criticism from his brother, Jim, for his rocket-building aspirations.

Pooky confronts Homer at the Big Store, blaming his father for his own misfortunes. Pooky's father's death in a mine accident involving Homer's father has created animosity towards Homer.

Other miners show support for Homer's rocket-building endeavors.

Pooky expresses resentment towards the Hickam family and voices a desire for a strike.

The encounter highlights the underlying tensions and dynamics in the Coalwood community.

Tom Tickle intervenes to prevent a physical altercation between Pooky and Homer.

Homer observes the miners' jovial behavior as they disperse.

Homer's encounters highlight the underlying tensions and dynamics in the Coalwood community.

Homer faces a confrontation with Buck in the rhododendron thicket, avoiding him due to his blue suede shoes.

Homer hitchhikes to Big Creek to make it to his first class on time.

Roy Lee and the boys refuse to build another rocket with Homer, leading him to decide to build one on his own.

Homer struggles with algebra and faces criticism from his brother, Jim, for his rocket-building aspirations.

Pooky Suggs, a miner, confronts Homer at the Big Store, blaming his father for his own misfortunes.

Pooky's father's death in a mine accident involving Homer's father has created animosity towards Homer.

Despite Pooky's hostility, other miners show support for Homer's rocket-building endeavors.

Pooky expresses resentment towards the Hickam family and voices a desire for a strike.

Tom Tickle intervenes to prevent a physical altercation between Pooky and Homer.

Eventually, the miners disperse, and Homer heads home, observing the miners' jovial behavior.

Homer's encounters with Pooky and the miners highlight the underlying tensions and dynamics in the Coalwood community.

Roy Lee and the boys refuse to build another rocket with Homer, leading him to decide to build one on his own.

Quentin made a short bow at the waist, an Errol Flynn kind of move, and the narrator's mother was impressed by it, her hand going to her mouth almost like a bashful girl’s.

Quentin told the narrator's mother that the cookies were marvelous and undoubtedly the most delicious cookies he had ever tasted in the entire history of his life. The narrator just wanted his mother to leave so they could get to work.

The narrator decided it would be his rocket laboratory. His mother cautioned him by saying, “Remember what I said. Don’t blow yourself up.”

The narrator just wanted his mother to leave so they could get to work, and he did not want her to do anything else for them.

building a rocket

a future career at the Cape

Tsiolkovsky, Goddard, von Braun

black powder

potassium nitrate, charcoal, sulfur

its danger and its impact on men's health

how rockets work and the fuel they use

leadership abilities and access to materials

gaining practical experience for a future career at the Cape

building a rocket

negative effects on men's health

the contributions of Tsiolkovsky, Goddard, and von Braun

The Big Store offered a wide range of products including clothes, groceries, electronics, and even coffins.

Junior warned the protagonist about the dangers of the items he purchased for a science project.

Mr. Dubonnet encouraged the protagonist to pursue his dreams outside of Coalwood.

Mr. Dubonnet expressed a deep connection to Coalwood and a sense of belonging to the community.

The text ends with the appearance of a large black steam locomotive, symbolizing the persistence of the coal industry.

The women in the community fought against coal dust and the ongoing operation of coal cars.

The protagonist questioned why he was expected to leave and learned about his father's denial of the town's decline.

Junior was a clerk at The Big Store and was well-liked.

The Captain allowed credit but closely monitored the books and limited miners' debt.

Scrip in Coalwood was issued sparingly.

The Big Store in Coalwood was a source of town cohesiveness and a social gathering spot.

The large black steam locomotive symbolized the persistence of the coal industry.

Quentin, a boy from Bartley, who is struggling financially.

Quentin shows the protagonist "Tropic of Cancer," and the protagonist is interested in a girl named Dorothy.

The protagonist's friend Roy Lee pressures him to ask Dorothy out, and the protagonist is concerned about Dorothy's plans for Saturday night.

The company-store system is described, where miners could end up being paid in company money only redeemable at the store. The Captain of Coalwood abolished the worst aspects of the company-store system, bringing in a college-educated manager, Mr. Devotee Dantzler, to ensure fair prices and prevent exploitation of miners.

Roy Lee and Emily Sue express concern about the situation, and Dorothy invites the protagonist to her house for a study session.

The protagonist admires Dorothy during biology class and is troubled by her plans for Saturday night.

The protagonist feels pressured by his friend Roy Lee to ask Dorothy out, and he is concerned about the poverty in Bartley.

The encounter leads to the protagonist being asked to acquire black powder for a rocket, and the changes made to the company-store system in Coalwood included abolishing the worst aspects and bringing in a college-educated manager to ensure fair prices and prevent exploitation of miners.

The mother reveals the father's plan for the son's future, and the son reacts to this revelation with concern and contemplation.

The protagonist contemplates his lack of knowledge about rocket-building, and he finds Dorothy's plans for Saturday night troubling.

The protagonist feels pressured by his friend Roy Lee to ask Dorothy out, and Dorothy invites the protagonist to her house for a study session.

The Captain brings improvements to living conditions and mining technology, and concerns are expressed about the protagonist's visit to Dorothy's house.

Vanguard managed three tentative feet off the pad, lost thrust, and then blew up.

The author felt shocked and disappointed, but also less worried about Vanguard's failure because he had rocket problems of his own and believed that the smart people working on the project would figure things out.

Quentin was perceived as the class joke, using big words in a pseudo-English accent and carrying around an old, cracked-leather briefcase filled with books.

The author, feeling alone in dealing with his own rocket problems, decided to talk to Quentin because he believed he had to, whether he liked it or not.

Vanguard managed three tentative feet off the pad, lost thrust, and then blew up. The narrator was shocked and disappointed, but also had his own rocket problems to worry about.

The narrator describes Quentin as the class joke who used big words and often sat alone. The narrator decides to talk to Quentin because he felt all alone and needed to discuss his rocket problems.

Quentin always had excuses not to participate in phys. ed. and sat alone in the auditorium, while the other students played and traded gossip. The other students perceived him as different and solitary.

The narrator felt the need to talk to Quentin because he was all alone and had his own rocket problems to worry about. This reveals the narrator's sense of isolation and the weight of his own challenges.

The protagonist's father was angry and poured the chemicals into the creek. He instructed the protagonist to collect stamps, catch frogs, keep bugs in a jar, and do whatever he wanted, but no more rockets.

The protagonist's father suspects Mr. Bykovski helped him with the rockets. The protagonist feels dismayed at the revelation.

The protagonist's father instructs him to go up to his room and stay there until his mother gets home. The protagonist reacts urgently by asking what his father is going to do.

The protagonist reveals the whole story about Mr. Bykovski to his mother. His mother responds wearily and asks him to tell her what happened.

The nails represent the son's wrongdoing and the pain it caused, while the holes represent the lingering pain in the father's heart even after forgiveness.

The narrator feels guilty even though he doesn't believe he has done anything wrong, showing how Reverend Lanier's sermon has affected him.

The narrator suspects that his father attends church services for reasons other than spiritual guidance, possibly for social or business connections.

The story leads the narrator to realize that the sermon was directed at him, causing him to feel even more self-conscious and guilty.

Sonny

Quentin

How to unhook a brassiere

The art of unhooking bras

Quentin

Pop bottles and black-powder samples

Water Tank Mountain and Pine Knob

A mine blowing up

Sonny's dad

The outlawing of the rocket boys at a Women’s Club meeting and the resistance from the protagonist's father.

He dismisses rumors about the potential closure of the mine and warns the protagonist to stay away from union influences.

The family dynamics and the influence of the company on the church.

Tensions between the rocket boys and their fathers, possibly influenced by the company's interests.

The protagonist's brother, Jim, is given exclusive use of the Buick, which slightly mollifies him after being left out of a state-championship game.

The protagonist attends church, noticing the choir's soloist, Mrs. Dantzler, and observing the nervous behavior of Reverend Lanier.

Pressure from higher authorities, including Van Dyke.

His attendance at a brunch at the Club House surprises the family.

The protagonist and his friends, Sherman and O’Dell, sit up front during the church service.

It suggests a growing conflict between the rocket boys and their fathers, possibly influenced by the company's interests.

They discuss the outlawing of the rocket boys.

His attendance at a brunch at the Club House surprises the family.

The BCMA faces consequences after launching rockets at the tipple. The consequences include the protagonist's father finding out about their rocket building, Mr. Bykovski getting reassigned to the mine, and the determination of the BCMA to continue building rockets despite the risks and challenges.

The protagonist feels good about being part of an outlaw organization and plans to continue building rockets despite the challenges and risks.

The boys decide on Pine Knob as their new rocket range, despite the challenging terrain.

The protagonist assigns Quentin to find a better way to test their rocket powder.

O'Dell suggests using a pop bottle to test the powder's explosion, and the BCMA agrees to use this method.

The BCMA is determined to continue their rocket building despite the risks and challenges.

His father reassigns Mr. Bykovski to the mine, and Homer is the only one punished. This strains his relationship with his father.

Mr. Bykovski gives Homer four new Auks (rockets) and asks him to make them fly to show what they did together.

Homer decides they are not quitting and proposes to move their activities to Pine Knob, which is not on company property.

Quentin proposes a complex test stand, but the other boys suggest a simpler method of testing the powder in a pop bottle to see the explosion.

The other boys' parents laugh it off or show minimal concern, while Homer's father is the only one who yells at him. This makes Homer feel isolated in his punishment.

Mr. Bykovski defends Homer's father as a good man and takes responsibility for acting without his permission. This makes Homer feel revulsion and shame.

The BCMA's decision to continue their rocket activities symbolizes their defiance and determination to pursue their passion despite the challenges and risks they face.

Homer's strained relationship with his father due to the rocket activities motivates him to continue, as he seeks to assert his independence and pursue his own happiness.

The plan to move to Pine Knob showcases the BCMA's determination to overcome obstacles and find new opportunities to pursue their passion for rocketry, reflecting their resilience.

The BCMA's defiance of authority and determination to continue their rocket activities signify their growing sense of identity and purpose, as they assert their independence and pursue their passion despite opposition.

The BCMA's resistance to societal expectations and dedication to rocketry contribute to their personal growth, as they learn to navigate challenges, assert their autonomy, and pursue their interests despite obstacles.

Mr. Bykovski's guidance and support in providing rockets and encouraging Homer to make them fly symbolize his mentorship and positive influence on Homer's development as a young rocket enthusiast.

The protagonist loves the girl and believes she will eventually love him. Roy Lee advises the protagonist that love does not work that way.

The football boys walk around in a gang daring anyone to say anything about their suspension. The giant boys glower at the Rocket boys as they pass by, but say nothing.

Basil prepares a story on the Rocket boys, claiming to showcase the power of the press.

Jake lights the fuse and runs to the blockhouse with the rest of the group, hunkered down in happy anticipation.

The startling revelation was that plane geometry was a message from God. The narrator decided to see Reverend Lanier about it.

The narrator actually felt like he was flying, soaring into the night sky over Coalwood and through the dark valleys and mountain hollows that marched away in the moonlight.

The narrator decided to see Reverend Lanier about his startling revelation regarding plane geometry. Reverend Lanier greeted him warily in his study.

The narrator started to think a lot about infinity and what it was like there. He felt that the idea that kept batting around in his head was still trembling with fear and wouldn't leave him.

The first day back to school in 1958

Valentine

She confronts Bobby Joe Shaw and warns Sonny about standing up to them if they give him trouble.

A romantic interest

A pretty tenth-grade girl

Introduction of a new Sputnik-inspired curriculum, resulting in overwhelming homework and coursework for the students

Their magnificent creations and determination despite failures

The football boys' sullen appearance and the introduction of a new Sputnik-inspired curriculum

Speechless

The protagonist, Sonny

Her remarkable nature; Sonny's heart races at the thought of her

1958

Coach Gainer warns Sonny about the hormones in high school and advises him not to act on them.

Dorothy invites Sonny to help her with plane geometry and expresses her affection for him.

Sonny realizes the potential of plane geometry for rocket design.

Mr. Hartsfield emphasizes the importance of understanding algebra, dismissing Sonny's questions about rocket design.

Sonny and Quentin teach themselves trigonometry to calculate rocket heights.

Mr. Hartsfield emphasizes the importance of deductive reasoning in geometry.

Roy Lee gets scolded by Mr. Hartsfield for ogling a girl in class.

Sonny spends Sundays working on plane geometry with Dorothy.

Dorothy praises Sonny for his intelligence while they work on plane geometry together.

Dorothy is good at teaching, but Sonny excels at mental visualizations in plane geometry.

Sonny excels in plane geometry and realizes its potential for rocket design.

Sonny realizes the potential of plane geometry for rocket design.

Sonny is warned about the hormones in high school and advised not to act on them.

Dorothy invites Sonny to help her with plane geometry and expresses her affection for him.

Sonny realizes its potential for rocket design.

Mr. Hartsfield emphasizes the importance of understanding algebra.

Sonny and Quentin teach themselves trigonometry.

Mr. Hartsfield emphasizes the importance of deductive reasoning in geometry.

Sonny and Dorothy spend Sundays working on plane geometry together.

Sonny excels at mental visualizations.

Roy Lee is scolded by Mr. Hartsfield for ogling a girl in class.

Quentin proposes to test the rocket powder using a baking pan, and the boys respond positively to his plan.

Dorothy praises Sonny for his intelligence.

Sonny excels in plane geometry and realizes its potential for rocket design.

improved powder

trigonometry

welding and steel cutting

if their father's guilt led to it

a telescope and his old trigonometry book

the stars and planets, including viewing Jupiter and the Ring Nebula

Homer

looked through the telescope and admired the town's night scenery

Coalwood

the hormones and advises not to act on them

plane geometry

Roy Lee

rocket design

algebra

trigonometry

Dorothy

Sonny excels at mental visualizations

deductive reasoning

Roy Lee

plane geometry

deductive reasoning

lack of knowledge of trigonometry

welding and steel cutting

entropy

a book on trigonometry

Jupiter and the Ring Nebula

on the roof

serene

their growing passion for science and exploration

their evolving interests and the influence of mentors like Jake and Mr. Bykovski on their scientific pursuits

failed, with Auk VIII exploding overhead

success, reaching great heights, and the team celebrated joyously

their transition from rocket experiments to embracing astronomy and the wonders of the universe

trigonometry

welding and steel cutting

if their father's guilt led to it

entropy, the tendency of things to move towards disorder over time

Club House roof

the stars and planets

the beauty of Coalwood at night

Sherman

Coalwood