https://padlet.com/arnavsimha22/xnu0qxxe52x2 en-us 2019-03-19 17:26:23 UTC 2019-03-28 06:25:59 UTC hello@padlet.com arnavsimha22 https://padlet.com/arnavsimha22/xnu0qxxe52x2/wish/343002411 My parents do not feel strongly about me following in their footsteps. They are okay with me pursuing any job I want as long as it will not have a negative impact on my health. Parents should not pressure their kids to follow in their footsteps because a job that may have been good for the parent may not be good for the kid. Parents should only guide the child while letting the child make the majority of the decisions.

Someone I know that has done something they were not expected to do is a friend of mine that lives in Bangalore named Kishan. Kishan, like most kids in my neighborhood, was expected to pursue a career in academics of some sorts (ie. medical, informational technology, law). He, however, pursued a career in professional cricket rather than in academics. At first, his parents were displeased but as time went on they became more accepting to the fact that their son would be a professional athlete. He gained support from the rest of the neighborhood for doing something that others would have never thought of. He is playing cricket in India in a minor league while looking for his big break.]]> 2019-03-19 17:48:50 UTC https://padlet.com/arnavsimha22/xnu0qxxe52x2/wish/343002411 arnavsimha22 https://padlet.com/arnavsimha22/xnu0qxxe52x2/wish/344014783 Dr. Wernher von Braun is a firm believer in educating the youth. That is why it is not surprising when he remarks that“[a]ll one can really leave one’s children is what’s inside their heads. Education, in other words, and not earthly possessions is the ultimate legacy, the only thing that cannot be taken away.” Braun is expressing his belief that education is the most important element that can be passed on generationally. This hints that Rocket Boys will be centered around the idea of education. In Coalwood, the most important skill is coal mining which is not something that a schooling can teach. While this is true, a coal miner is not the only job option in the world. Moreover, education opens the door to these new jobs and opportunities. This is why it makes sense that Rocket Boys is centered around the pursuit of knowledge.



Miss Freida Joy Riley is a woman who wants scholars to be self-motivated. This is why she remarks that “[a]ll I’ve done is give you a book. You have to have the courage to learn what’s inside it.” Riley explains that even if she gives someone a book, only they can make the choice to read it. In other words, one has to make an effort by oneself. Thematically, this suggests Rocket Boys deals with motivation, or lack of motivation, in terms of education.  This also further suggests that the outside environment will either assist or hinder the boys’ education and plays a major role in motivation in education.

]]> 2019-03-21 21:25:22 UTC https://padlet.com/arnavsimha22/xnu0qxxe52x2/wish/344014783 arnavsimha22 https://padlet.com/arnavsimha22/xnu0qxxe52x2/wish/345995931 Sonny believes that communities choose to outcast who are different from the norm. Quentin, a genius, is described by Sonny as the “class joke.” Sonny further elaborates that “[w]hile the rest of us players dodgeball or did calisthenics in phys. ed., he ... sat in the bleachers and read one of his books” (Hickam Jr., 61). Quentin refrains from physical activity which is why he is seen as the class joke. He has been thrown away from the “main-stream” of the community because of his differences. Since no one else acts like Quentin, the community chooses not to deal with him at all and instead leaves Quentin out of the community. Sonny’s warrant for Quentin being the class joke is the fact that he reads instead of playing sports, which means that Sonny believes that it is the oddity that Quentin has ben outcasted for. Sonny is viewed as an outcast already because his rocket blew up his mothers fence. As a result, the endeavors of all his friends are mostly viewed as Sonny’s actions solely since he is thought to be the lead. He sees the repercussions of this when he recounts, “I was the only one who’d been yelled at” (Hickam Jr., 98). Since Sonny is looked at as the main leader of the rocket boys, all the consequences are put on him. Thus, it is Sonny who is ultimately secluded from society because of his deterrence from the standard.]]> 2019-03-28 06:25:48 UTC https://padlet.com/arnavsimha22/xnu0qxxe52x2/wish/345995931