The Right Stuff: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Right Stuff: Analysis of Major Characters" explores the diverse personalities and backgrounds of the original Mercury astronauts, highlighting their significant contributions and the contrasting qualities they brought to the space program. John Glenn emerges as a moral compass and public favorite, celebrated for his successful orbit around the Earth and his embodiment of traditional values. In contrast, Chuck Yeager, a legendary test pilot, exemplifies raw talent and determination yet remains outside the astronaut program due to his lack of formal education. Gordon Cooper, known for his relaxed demeanor, becomes the last to fly in Project Mercury, showcasing both confidence and skill during critical moments.
Scott Carpenter stands out for his artistic approach to spaceflight, focusing on scientific experiments, which sets him apart but also leads to criticism from his peers. Alan Shepard, the first American in space, balances camaraderie and leadership, earning respect for his coolness under pressure. Gus Grissom's story reflects the challenges of maintaining composure in critical situations, while Deke Slayton, grounded by health issues, finds new purpose as a coordinator at NASA. Wally Schirra's meticulous and humorous approach to his missions highlights the diverse strategies among the astronauts. Lastly, the personal lives of the astronauts' wives, such as Annie Glenn and Betty Grissom, illustrate the emotional complexity and sacrifices behind the historic achievements of their husbands.
The Right Stuff: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Tom Wolfe
First published: 1979
Genre: History; new journalism
Locale: The United States
Plot: New journalism
Time: 1947–1963
John Glenn, the best known of the Mercury astronauts, the first American to orbit the earth. A freckle-faced country boy with reddish blond hair and a winning smile, he flew combat missions in both World War II and Korea and was one of the Marines' best-known pilots. The oldest of the original seven astronauts and the only Marine, he sets the moral tone for the astronauts at their first press conference by invoking God, country, and family. He is ambitious, hard-working, a bit self-righteous, and a great favorite of the press and public. After the flight of Friendship 7, he becomes a hero like few others in the history of the United States.
Chuck Yeager, the first pilot to break the sound barrier. The short, wiry, tough-looking Yeager had a successful career as a fighter pilot and went on to win every major decoration and honor available to test pilots. He set the standard by which members of the flying community measured themselves, and his Appalachian drawl was imitated by fliers from commercial airline pilots to astronauts. Lacking a college education, Yeager is not eligible to be an astronaut, but he has no interest in abandoning flying to serve as a “lab animal” in a space capsule.
Gordon Cooper, who pilots the last and longest orbital flight of Project Mercury, becoming the most celebrated of the astronauts since John Glenn. The thin, handsome, confident son of an Army Air Force officer, he neither flew combat missions nor distinguished himself as a test pilot, but instead flew for the less prestigious engineering corps. So relaxed that he falls asleep on the top of the rocket before liftoff, he handles problems with the electrical system during the flight with equanimity. Forced to operate the capsule manually during the last orbit and reentry, he still manages to land nearly on target.
Scott Carpenter, who makes the second orbital flight. He is high spirited, outgoing, good looking, athletic, and the only astronaut with “the touch of the poet” about him. Although trained as a test pilot, he is not in a league with most of the others and is something of an outsider among them. By most accounts a success, his flight nevertheless is denigrated by the other astronauts because he concentrated on the science experiments he was given to perform during his flight at the expense of operational efficiency. Carpenter's vision of the astronaut as a man of science in space does not please the other astronauts.
Alan Shepard, who is chosen to be the first of the original seven astronauts in space and becomes an American hero after his suborbital flight. The son of a career officer and a graduate of the Naval Academy, he is considered to be one of the Navy's best test pilots. Able to be both “one of the guys” and a leader, he sets the standard for coolness and competence under pressure for the other astronauts to follow.
Gus Grissom, who is assigned to the second suborbital flight. He is best known as the astronaut who lost both his cool and his capsule by blowing the hatch too soon after touching down. A short, compact, dour-faced man with a black crew cut and bushy eyebrows, he is uncommunicative except around fellow pilots. Reared in Indiana and the son of a railroad worker, he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross in Korea and tested fighter planes before being chosen as an astronaut.
Deke Slayton, who was supposed to man the second orbital flight but is grounded after doctors discover he has a slightly irregular heartbeat. Rugged, handsome, witty, charming and intelligent, he has no patience for small talk. He is crushed and humiliated by being grounded, but after being given the title of coordinator of astronaut activities, he becomes a power to be reckoned with in NASA.
Wally Schirra, the fifth of the Mercury astronauts to orbit the earth. His six-orbit flight is nearly perfect, a “textbook flight” during which he conserves fuel and lands nearly on target. A relaxed, joking prankster, Schirra is a leader of men who insists on running his own show.
Annie Glenn, John Glenn's wife. She is terrified to talk to the press because of a severe stuttering problem but has the courage to stand up to Vice President Lyndon Johnson and refuse to let him into her home the morning of her husband's flight.
Betty Grissom, Gus Grissom's wife. She hates the life of the military wife and is outraged when she is cheated out of her share of the “goodies” after her husband's flight.