Outside Reading Week 4 Part B

Homer's relationship with his family is something that constantly changes. There is almost absolutely no consistency, unless you argue that their fighting is consistent. Last week, everything seemed fine. The Rocket Boys were getting along, they were making progress, Coalwood was supporting them, and Homer's dad seemed to have finally realized how much potential he has. But I think I was mistaken. Homer's dad is a manipulator. He pulls tricks on people to try and get them to do things his way. "' You're my boy,' he said... 'I was born to lead men in the profession of mining coal. Maybe you were too.' You're my boy. In the dark, I could savor the words without embarrassment" (202). Homer must have felt real pride and happiness to see that his dad really does care about him, but I don't think it's true. Homer Sr.'s life is the mine. His family is the mine. The only thing he cares about is the mine. If one of his sons can help benefit the mine than he'll most likely show preference to them, like he did with Homer. But it's clear that he knows nothing about his son. There's a huge difference between being a mine engineer and being a rocket engineer. Working for the mine means that Homer will be like his father, and anyone can see that they are completely different. "'A mining engineer?' he pressed. He had me. I had no choice but to tell him the truth. 'I want to go to work for Dr. von Braun, Dad.' He didn't hide his disappointment (203). It's very clear here that Homer's dad doesn't understand his son and he doesn't try to. For some reason, he thinks that just because Homer wants to be an engineer, he has to be a mine engineer. He doesn't consider that fact that Homer doesn't want that. He doesn't even think about how Homer might want a different life. Homer wants to explore space, to look up, not down, and I don't understand why it's so difficult for his dad to grasp the concept.

Another important character in this family drama is Homer's mom, Elsie Hickam. Homer Sr. doesn't even seem to love his wife more than he loves the mine. Like I mentioned before, the mine is his life and the one thing he loves more than anything else. He doesn't understand his family. He doesn't understand Homer's needs of being accepted and embraced by his father. He doesn't understand how much it hurts his wife when he picks the mine over her. "You always wanted diamonds, but these are the best I can do. I wish they were real. The next morning, waiting for him on the table was Mom's note of reply: I never wanted diamonds. I only wanted a little of your time. That's still all I want" (198). And more importantly, he doesn't understand how the mine is tearing his family apart, or even how it's tearing him apart. "She pulled back. 'This mine's killed you, but it's not going to kill my boys!' "(205).

There is a lot of sad realization that happens within this chapter. I think Homer has always known that his parents don't get along, but never has such a public display occurred. It just pains me, and even surprises me, that Homer's dad can be so oblivious and stubborn. That he doesn't understand what's important in life. That he would throw away his family, the people that are always unconditionally there for you, for something like the mine that would only want Homer Sr. as long as they thought him useful. I'm really close to my family and it's hard to imagine someone like that. I guess he truly is a company man through and through.