Relating to the Cold War
Although little is said about the Cold War in the book "October Sky" it still plays a big role in Homer Hickam's life throughout the book. Here are a few quotes relating to the Cold War within the book: "October Sky".
"Roy Lee said, 'My daddy said the Russians ate their own babies in the war and it was good the Germans attacked them.'" (Hickam, 28)
This quote displays the Russians in a very interesting way. Of course, the Russians did not eat their own babies, but it shows how little the Americans knew about the Russians. Especially in a small town, the rumors and false things kids heard from their parents and American propaganda, how ridiculous they sounded. The American populous saw them as evil, horrible people, when in reality, many didn't even support their own government. The Russians were very oppressed and poor people.
"...I didn't agree with him and said so. The Russians had built atomic and hydrogen bombs, and they had jet bombers that could reach the United States. So why couldn't they build something like Sputnik?"
(Hickam, 28)
Homer was right, the Russians did have advanced weapon technology. The Cold War contained a lot of competition for military excellence and technology. That brought some destructive and deadly tactics and weapons into the world. That including atomic and hydrogen Bombs. War never broke out between the two powers, because both knew a full out war would lead to widespread destruction and possibly human extinction. The level of military technology became so powerful, that war would become ultimately not worth it. Today the same situations happen.
Movie Compare and Contrast
Although the movie "October Sky" is based off the book "Rocket Boys/October Sky" the two still have some major differences. The movie, like most movies based on books, seems to have more drama and action than the book. There are many examples of this throughout the movie.
Contrast:
-One of the biggest differences is how the movie goes about in general. They skip many of the details in the book and skip chapters all at once. This is probably because the producers want the move to remain exciting and keep the plot moving.
-Another big difference was that Dad talked to Homer much more often in the movie than in the book. This is probably to reveal much about Dad's feelings and beliefs, although in the book little is revealed about his character and his feelings about Homer.
Compare:
-The setting in the movie and the book are very similar. How Coalwood is described in the book is almost exactly like how it is in the movie. You can see the tipple, the elevator, Big Creek High, Mom's white fence, the movie incorporates all of the setting details which really adds to the feel of the movie. I think the producers wanted there to be a small town, coal mine feel to the movie, because it plays such a big role in the plot.
-One other similarity is Homer's family, excluding Dad. Jim is exactly how the book makes him out to be. A stuck-up football star who gets all of the girls. From his hair to his attitude, he is very similar. Mom also comes off in the movie very similar to the book. Mom's progressive depression through the book shines through in the movie. Mom's desire to get out of Coalwood and for her kids to also get out really adds to her character. The movie also adds the little things: her painting, "Don't blow yourself up!", and so on. The producers did this because they wanted a very deep and supportive character (Mom) and they also felt that Jim was an important character to include because he was exactly what Homer was not. The contrast added to the depth of the movie.
Although little is said about the Cold War in the book "October Sky" it still plays a big role in Homer Hickam's life throughout the book. Here are a few quotes relating to the Cold War within the book: "October Sky".
"Roy Lee said, 'My daddy said the Russians ate their own babies in the war and it was good the Germans attacked them.'" (Hickam, 28)
This quote displays the Russians in a very interesting way. Of course, the Russians did not eat their own babies, but it shows how little the Americans knew about the Russians. Especially in a small town, the rumors and false things kids heard from their parents and American propaganda, how ridiculous they sounded. The American populous saw them as evil, horrible people, when in reality, many didn't even support their own government. The Russians were very oppressed and poor people.
"...I didn't agree with him and said so. The Russians had built atomic and hydrogen bombs, and they had jet bombers that could reach the United States. So why couldn't they build something like Sputnik?"
(Hickam, 28)
Homer was right, the Russians did have advanced weapon technology. The Cold War contained a lot of competition for military excellence and technology. That brought some destructive and deadly tactics and weapons into the world. That including atomic and hydrogen Bombs. War never broke out between the two powers, because both knew a full out war would lead to widespread destruction and possibly human extinction. The level of military technology became so powerful, that war would become ultimately not worth it. Today the same situations happen.
Movie Compare and Contrast
Although the movie "October Sky" is based off the book "Rocket Boys/October Sky" the two still have some major differences. The movie, like most movies based on books, seems to have more drama and action than the book. There are many examples of this throughout the movie.
Contrast:
-One of the biggest differences is how the movie goes about in general. They skip many of the details in the book and skip chapters all at once. This is probably because the producers want the move to remain exciting and keep the plot moving.
-Another big difference was that Dad talked to Homer much more often in the movie than in the book. This is probably to reveal much about Dad's feelings and beliefs, although in the book little is revealed about his character and his feelings about Homer.
Compare:
-The setting in the movie and the book are very similar. How Coalwood is described in the book is almost exactly like how it is in the movie. You can see the tipple, the elevator, Big Creek High, Mom's white fence, the movie incorporates all of the setting details which really adds to the feel of the movie. I think the producers wanted there to be a small town, coal mine feel to the movie, because it plays such a big role in the plot.
-One other similarity is Homer's family, excluding Dad. Jim is exactly how the book makes him out to be. A stuck-up football star who gets all of the girls. From his hair to his attitude, he is very similar. Mom also comes off in the movie very similar to the book. Mom's progressive depression through the book shines through in the movie. Mom's desire to get out of Coalwood and for her kids to also get out really adds to her character. The movie also adds the little things: her painting, "Don't blow yourself up!", and so on. The producers did this because they wanted a very deep and supportive character (Mom) and they also felt that Jim was an important character to include because he was exactly what Homer was not. The contrast added to the depth of the movie.