The Mine
Why is the mine so important to Coalwood?
The only way to have a comfortable life in the town is to have someone in your family working in the mine. This pays for everything that you would need. It also effects the economy.
How does the town location affect the way people travel?
Most people don't leave Coalwood, so they don't travel very far, but there are many mountains and woods and obstacles. Most people walk, ride bikes, or possibly drive.
What is the income like for families in Coalwood?
The income is very minimal and it is barely enough for families to get bye.
What kind of relationship does Sonny have with his dad?
Sonny has a very tense relationship with Homer because he doesn't support him with working with rockets eventually and he just wants him to work in the mine.
What do most people in Coalwood do for a living?
The men mostly become miners.
Why is the mine potentially closing?
It is running out of coal. This is what is causing so many people to become unemployed.
How does the location of the town affect the mood of the people?
The people aren't allowed to pursue their dreams. They are forced to eventually work in the mine, so this causes everyone to be very glum. Especially because of the lack of the close relationships in the town.
What is Coalwood's biggest income and why?
It is coal because the town is right above a coalmine and it produces high quality coal.
What is the relationship like between Jim and Sonny?
Their relationship is very bad and they are very unkind towards each other. They argue a lot, are very aggressive, and avoid each other.
What is the town's main source for entertainment?
The high school football team.
Why does Elsie hate the mine so much?
She realizes that it is consuming everyone lives and that people care about it more than the things that are more important.
Why does Coalwood rarely see the sun?
The smoke of the machinery and the mine is too overpowering.
What does the lack of income like for kids in Coalwood?
They won't be able to afford college.
Who is Sonny surprised to see at his last launching at Cape Coalwood?
His father- Homer Hickam.
What is the top priority of the people in town?
Mining.
How does the mine negatively affect the people of Coalwood?
The people are basically obsessed with the mine and overly dependent on it. They need it to survive which causes them to love it more than their family and friends.
How does the location of the town affect the kid's future.
Their future is already set out for them and they are told that they can't go to college and must work in the mine eventually.
How does the lack of income affect the Coalwood civilians?
The people are very mad at the company.
What causes the lack of close relationships in families?
The people are too dependent on the mine and focus on that more than what is more important: family and friends.
What happens if the fatherly figure in the family dies?
The family is forced out of Coalwood.
Why do you think that the mine is so overly crowded?
People use that to bounce back on if they don't do well in school and can't get to college.
How does the location of the town affect the relationships of the people?
It is very isolated from the rest of the world which causes everyone to isolate themselves from each other and not have very good relationships with each other.
When the company lets go of workers how do the citizens react?
The start rioting and start fighting with the company.
What kind of relationship does Elsie have with Homer Sr?
Their relationship is very tense and Elsie believes that Homer is more in love with the mine than her.
Who did many people consider as "The light at the end of the tunnel."
The BCMA.