Student Question
What was Tommy Burnett's childhood dream in The Last Lecture and did he achieve it?
Quick answer:
Tommy Burnett's childhood dream was to work on a Star Wars film. Despite the prequel trilogy not being planned when he expressed this dream, he ultimately achieved it. Through his dedication and teamwork on Randy Pausch's team, Tommy secured a job working on all three of the subsequent Star Wars movies. His story illustrates that achieving dreams requires collaboration and learning from others, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and sharing knowledge.
In chapter 25, Tommy Burnett makes his appearance. He is one of Pausch's students. He says his childhood dream is to work on the next Star Wars film. Around the time he shares this with Pausch, there are only the original three Star Wars films. In 1992, the prequel trilogy was not yet greenlit, so Tommy's dream appears impossible.
Tommy ultimately does achieve his dream. His work on Pausch's team, endeavoring to be the best team player possible, earns him a job working on all three of the subsequent Star Wars movies.
The point of Tommy's story is that achieving one's dreams involves more than just luck or skill—it involves working with and learning from others. Pausch gave Tommy the gift of his teaching, and now, Tommy shares that gift by teaching Pausch's current students when they come to him for advice.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.