Questions on October Sky
1. Homer's father eventually came round and permitted company machinists to make the nozzles
needed by the Rocket Boys. Homer agreed that he and the Rocket Boys could not have
succeeded without this help. Does this detract from their triumph? What does it tell you about what
is necessary to succeed in today's complex environment?
2. What did the Rocket Boys prove by their success?
3. Why did Homer's father want him to work in the mine? Was his father being a good parent in
wanting Homer to follow in his footsteps?
4. Describe how Homer's father felt about his youngest son at each of the following points: the
beginning of the film; when Homer first started experimenting with rockets; after Homer had gone
to work in the mine; when Home quit the mine; and at the end of the film.
5. Everyone in Homer's family wanted to get out of Coalwood except his father. (Remember the
mural the mother was painting throughout the film.) How did each member of the family deal with
this desire?
6. Describe the strengths and weaknesses of Homer's father as a parent.
7. Would you call Homer's actions in building rockets a "rebellion"?
8. Describe the relationship between Homer and his father and how that relationship changed over
time.
9. Why was Homer's mother so determined that her sons should leave Coalwood?
10. What does this film show about the difficulties of breaking out of the paths that your family and
community expect you to follow? In this instance, what was the role of the community in Homer's
efforts to break out?
11. What was the strongest act of friendship shown in this film?
12. Why did Homer volunteer to work in the mine when his father was ill? What would have
happened to the family if no one had been working in the mine even though his father was still
recuperating from injuries he had received saving miners' lives?
13. Did Homer's older brother do the right thing to let him work on the mine? Explain.
14. Name the characters in this film who honoured the concept of "caring" and describe what they
did that leads you to that conclusion.
(Caring - be kind; be compassionate and show you care; take the welfare of others to heart and
make it your own goal)
15. Homer Hickam Jr. suggests that the film, October Sky is at least 30% Hollywood (meaning
fictional). Why do you think the filmmakers made the adjustments and additions that they did?
(refer back to Lesson Two and see below for some of the differences)