help...

There's no one simple answer to the "main opponent" question. A few answers are everyone's skepticism and disgust at the projects they are undertaking, Homer's father's obsession with him following in his footsteps in the mine, and the fact that everyone seems to think their future is pre-determined - everyone in town goes to work in the mines.

The worker's name was Ike Bykovsky.

Sorry if I responded too late.

"Why do celebrities think we want to watch them play poker?" -Hank Hill

The main opponent (use the word "antagonist" in your paper or you'll look like a dweeb) is Burnside Oil and Lube--it has a baseball team that always wins the big game, and the guys on the team kneecap Homer when it looks like he will get the winning hit (hence the name "Homer").

The helper was named Big Bill Blatzki.

(Do not believe the first respondent. He is trying to spike your homework.)

Hope this helps!!