Sonny had several influences in his life that affected his career choices. I believe the Russians were the first influences in Sonny’s career choice. If they had not launched the first satellite, Sonny would have never developed the passion for rocket building. Without the knowledge of the satellite and witnessing it in the sky, Sonny may have followed in his father’s footsteps and worked in the coalmines. Mr. Hickman was determined that Sonny work in the mines, without his driven passion Sonny may have given into his father’s wishes. In the book when Sonny sees the satellite for the first time he says “I stared at it with no less rapt attention than if it had been God himself riding in a golden chariot riding overhead. It soared with what
