A young engineer from Ohio, Jake Mosby comes from a wealthy family, and frequently shows off his wealth by driving expensive cars and going on expensive dates. Jake is nonetheless a wise, likeable young man who supports Homer and his friends in their rocketry, and gives Homer valuable advice about fate and destiny. Jake also pays off the BCMA’s debts to Mr. Van Dyke.
Jake Mosby Quotes in Rocket Boys
The Rocket Boys quotes below are all either spoken by Jake Mosby or refer to Jake Mosby. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Note: all page numbers and citation info for the quotes below refer to the Dell edition of Rocket Boys published in 2000.
Chapter 25
Quotes
Jake jammed his hands in his pockets, sighed, and looked up at the mountains. “I’m not a religious man, Sonny. You want parables and proverbs, go to church. But I believe there’s a plan for each of us—you, me, Freida too. It doesn’t help to get mad about it or want to whip up on God about it. It’s just the way it is. You’ve got to accept it.”
Related Characters:
Homer Hickam Jr. (speaker), Jake Mosby (speaker), Miss Riley
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
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Jake Mosby Character Timeline in Rocket Boys
The timeline below shows where the character Jake Mosby appears in Rocket Boys. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 9: Jake Mosby (Auks V-VIII)
...in from Ohio and shows them how to work in Coalwood. One such engineer is Jake Mosby, who, Homer notes, would come to be very important to the BCMA. Homer knows...
(full context)
...rocket launch takes place on a Saturday, and Mr. Dubonnet is in attendance, along with Jake Mosby. Homer notices that Jake has brought a strangely dressed man with him, who introduces...
(full context)
...crowd. Everyone runs away, terrified. Basil finds the spectacle hilarious and exciting, and scribbles notes. Jake, however, is a little traumatized by the sight—he tells Homer that it reminds him of...
(full context)
After vacation, the BCMA proceeds with another launching. Jake is present, along with Basil. This time, Auk VI “steers” straight, thanks to Homer’s fin...
(full context)
At the end of the summer, Jake calls Homer and summons the BCMA to the Coalwood Club House. Homer, accompanied only by...
(full context)
Chapter 14: The Pillar Explosion: Auks XVI-XIX
...object ever to break away from the Earth’s gravitation pull. Shortly thereafter, Homer meets with Jake at the Club House to look through Jake’s telescope. While he’s at the Club House,...
(full context)
Chapter 19: Picking Up and Going On: Auk XXI
...and Homer replies that he’s not making any more rockets. Homer decides to go to Jake, who’s usually good at cheering people up. At the Club House, Jake’s usual spot, Homer...
(full context)
Chapter 20: O’Dell’s Treasure
...his bus because Jim took too long in the shower. As he’s walking, he notices Jake driving his Corvette. He hops in the car—this is the first time he’s seen Jake...
(full context)
At school, Jake walks Homer to chemistry. There, he seems pleased to meet Miss Riley—Homer notices that they...
(full context)
...means that, counting the cost of food and sleeping bags, they’ve made only four dollars. Jake Mosby saves the day by offering to settle their debt with Mr. Van Dyke, in...
(full context)
Chapter 22: We Do the Math: Auks XXII-XXIV
...been feeling exhausted and glum lately. She adds, off-handedly, that Homer should say hello to Jake the next time he sees him—Jake has been summoned back to Ohio for a few...
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Chapter 25: The National Science Fair
...the entire BCMA. Just before Homer gets on the bus, he sees Miss Riley in Jake’s Corvette—and she looks very happy.
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...the other BCMA members visit Miss Riley in the hospital in Welch. There, they find Jake tending to Miss Riley, who looks weak and pale. Homer shows Miss Riley his medal,...
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Homer leaves Miss Riley’s side, tearfully, and Jake runs after him. Jake tells him that God has a plan for everyone, and that...
(full context)
Chapter 26: All Systems Go: Auks XXVI-XXXI (June 4, 1960)
...she decided to stay in Coalwood with her husband. Homer thinks about his conversation with Jake—when Homer Sr. signed the union papers, he decides, it was a great moment for “God’s...
(full context)
...People have come from across the county for the event. Homer also notices Miss Riley, Jake, and Mr. Turner.
(full context)
