The Illustrated Man

Besides the Prologue and Epilogue, “The Rocket Man” is the only story in The Illustrated Man told from a first-person perspective. It is narrated by its protagonist, Doug. Lilly, Doug’s mother, begs for his help in keeping her husband home. Doug doubts they can, and they spend a sleepless night waiting until they finally hear Dad’s rocket overhead. When Dad arrives, Doug sneaks into his parents’ room and takes his bag. He uses a centrifuge to extract celestial dust from his uniform as a keepsake, then returns it before his parents can notice.

At breakfast, Dad acts like he has not been gone for three months. He works with intense dedication in the garden, careful not to look up at the sky. That night, the family spends time together on the porch. Doug knows that Dad will eventually begin increasingly looking to the stars before finally leaving again; but for a few nights, he will be wholly present.

They go to the television carnival, where Doug asks Dad what space is like. Dad responds, “It’s the best thing in a lifetime of best things” (102) but then quickly downplays the experience. At home, Doug asks to see Dad in his uniform, though Mother hates it.