PAPER 2 ( SECTION D – NOVEL)
Dear Mr. Kilmer by Anne Schraff
ELEMENTS OF THE NOVEL
THEMES and MORAL VALUES
Theme is the central or main ideas of a piece of writing while moral values are lessons or messages the author wants to deliver to the audience. More often than not, themes and moral values are treated as two different things. In reality, they are actually two different sides of the same coin.
Themes can be identified by a word or phrases summarising the story. Moral values are usually written in imperative tone, often begin with phrases like, "We should..." or "We must..."
Love amongst Family membersLove amongst Family membersXenophobia( fear of foreign people )Xenophobia( fear of foreign people )
Love amongst Family members
Love amongst Family members
Xenophobia
( fear of foreign people )
Xenophobia
( fear of foreign people )
PatriotismPatriotism
Patriotism
Patriotism
Themes In Dear Mr KilmerThemes In Dear Mr Kilmer
Themes In
Dear Mr Kilmer
Themes In
Dear Mr Kilmer
The Importance OfEducationThe Importance OfEducationSelf versus communitySelf versus community
The Importance Of
Education
The Importance Of
Education
Self versus community
Self versus community
PopularityPopularityWarWarFairness And EqualityFairness And Equality
Popularity
Popularity
War
War
Fairness And
Equality
Fairness And
Equality
Friendship Friendship
Friendship
Friendship
1.Xenophobia
- The vandalism of Prairie Haus was because of anti- German feelings
2. Love amongst Family members
- The Knights and The Schermers
3. Self versus community
– Richard's beliefs against the people around him. He stands by his beliefs although many others in the community practice discrimination out of ignorance and fear.
4. War
- The First World War took place during the time of his story.
5. Friendship
- Richard's friendship with Hannah and Joyce Kilmer.
6. Fairness and equality
- Mrs Hansen's selection of winners for the essay-writing competitions.
7. Popularity
- The other students' opinion that Peggy and Abner should win.
8. The Importance of Education
- Pa's wish for his sons to have an education.
9. Patriotism
– Joyce Kilmer and Otto Schermer fighting in the war.
b. MORAL VALUES
1. Stand firm in what you believe in – Richard was friends with the Schermer despite receiving a lot of pressure to stay away from them.
2. Family Relationships- The knights and the Schermers care about each other's safety and worry about each other's safety.
3.The gift of friendship – Richard and Hannah supported each other when their classmates were unkind to them. Richard also received moral support and encouragement from Joyce Kilmer.
4. War benefits no one- Many lives were lost and the people of Turtle Lake were divided. Unity was lost because of discrimination.
5. The value of education-Pa insisted that Gus finish his high school education before joining the army. Ignorance caused discrimination, as seen in the community's misconception of Germans.
6. Be creative – Poetry writing is a form of creative expression which brings comfort to both Richard and Joyce Kilmer.
7. Respect for others – Some residents of Turtle Lake did not respect the Schermers simply because they were of a different ethnic background.
Below are examples of how themes and moral values, and how both can share the same answer when answering the questions:
THEMES
MORAL VALUES
YOU SHOULD RELATE TO
Discrimination / prejudice
We should not discriminate or prejudice against anyone with different race/creed.
- Richard was being discriminated for his interest, belief and principle (his love for poetry and standing up for the Schermers)
- Hannah Schermer was being scorned for winning the role of Lady Liberty fairly only because she is a German-American.
- The Schermers were being discriminated and accused of being German spies, their tavern was vandalised because they are German-Americans and they still practise German traditions.
Standing up for what is right
We must be brave to stand up for what is right
- When Hannah's book cover was sprawled with 'Dirty Hun.' Show how Richard defended Hannah when his other classmates badmouthed her.
- The signing of sympathy card for the Schermers when their tavern was vandalised. Show how Richard was brave to sign the card despite being threatened by Abner and Harry.
- When Hannah was being scorned for winning the role of Lady Liberty fair and square. Show how Richard defended her and finally turned down his role as the Doughboy in order to show his support for her.
Being kind / concerned / thoughtful
We should be kind / concerned / thoughtful to others
- Richard's treatment towards Hannah when she was being discriminated, e.g. her book cover was sprawled with 'Dirty Hun,' her family's tavern was vandalised, she was being scorned at for winning the role of Lady Liberty.
Being mean / unfair
We should never be mean or unfair to others
- How majority of Turtle Lake people discriminate and was being prejudice against the Schermers because they are of different race and creed.
Pale, slender and tall with blonde hair, resembles his mother.Kind, sympathetic , a nature lover and true to his principlesHardworking, humble and helpfulCourageous-send card to Hannah and having fight with Abner and HarryDiligent and Helpful-He always help Pa in farm and Angie in the kitchen doing the house chores.Selfless-turn down the role after HannahSensitive-Could not kill the buck even having a chance to do it.Mature,Open Minded-not sided with people who disturb HannahPoetic, creative and artistic-borrow book from Mrs Hansen-write poems and keep it in drawerQuiet-Love being alone and not like to talk to much.Pale, slender and tall with blonde hair, resembles his mother.Kind, sympathetic , a nature lover and true to his principlesHardworking, humble and helpfulCourageous-send card to Hannah and having fight with Abner and HarryDiligent and Helpful-He always help Pa in farm and Angie in the kitchen doing the house chores.Selfless-turn down the role after HannahSensitive-Could not kill the buck even having a chance to do it.Mature,Open Minded-not sided with people who disturb HannahPoetic, creative and artistic-borrow book from Mrs Hansen-write poems and keep it in drawerQuiet-Love being alone and not like to talk to much.RICHARD KNIGHT
Pale, slender and tall with blonde hair, resembles his mother.
Kind, sympathetic , a nature lover and true to his principles
Hardworking, humble and helpful
Courageous
-send card to Hannah and having fight with Abner and Harry
Diligent and Helpful
-He always help Pa in farm and Angie in the kitchen doing the house chores.
Selfless
-turn down the role after Hannah
Sensitive
-Could not kill the buck even having a chance to do it.
Mature,Open Minded
-not sided with people who disturb Hannah
Poetic, creative and artistic
-borrow book from Mrs Hansen
-write poems and keep it in drawer
Quiet
-Love being alone and not like to talk to much.
Pale, slender and tall with blonde hair, resembles his mother.
Kind, sympathetic , a nature lover and true to his principles
Hardworking, humble and helpful
Courageous
-send card to Hannah and having fight with Abner and Harry
Diligent and Helpful
-He always help Pa in farm and Angie in the kitchen doing the house chores.
Selfless
-turn down the role after Hannah
Sensitive
-Could not kill the buck even having a chance to do it.
Mature,Open Minded
-not sided with people who disturb Hannah
Poetic, creative and artistic
-borrow book from Mrs Hansen
-write poems and keep it in drawer
Quiet
-Love being alone and not like to talk to much.
HANNAH SCHERMER
Richard's classmate : beautiful with blue eyes and blonde hair 'like corn silk'
Patient
-still strong even her tavern had been vandalized
Intelligent and helpful
-always helping Richard with good ideas and suggestion to complete his poem.
- one of the best writers in the class
- won the essay competition and helped to revise Richard's poem.
Sensitive and supportive
turns down the role of Lady Liberty when she knows it will upset many people
goes with Richard to the newspaper office.
Appriciative
-thanked Richard for sending her the sympathy card
Generous and Kind Hearted
-She bakes cookies for Mr Kilmer
-Invited Richard for supper
SERGEANT JOYCE KILMER
An unseen character
-the reader only knows him through his letters to Richard
A poet / Poetic
-Works for The New York Times
-A father of five and a sergeant in the American armed forces.
- write numerous of poet. One of his poet is tree
Kind, thoughtful, encouraging and brave
Tells Richard not to keep his poetry a secret.
Honest
Admits his fear of going to war and his sadness that he cannot be home for
Christmas.
Understanding
-he understands Richard feelings and feel not awkward when communicating by the way of writing letter.
Helpful
-give Richard advice and motivation through letter
Patriotic
-joined the war eventhough he is a famous poet.
EVENTS
Other than simply reading through the novel chronologically, there is another way to look at the event. When doing revision on important events, we should focus on these two things:
character-defining events,
character-changing events, and
plot-turning events.
CHARACTER-DEFINING EVENTS
Character-defining events are events that introduce and elaborate the characteristics of the main characters (and sometimes, minor characters). Below are examples of character-defining events in this novel:
EVENTS
CHARACTERS
CHARACTERISTICS
The Knights went out hunting (Chapter 1)
Richard
Loves nature
Thoughtful
Gus
Rude / Boastful
Pa
Protective
Reserved
Hannah's book cover was sprawled with 'Dirty Hun'
Richard
Kind
Rational
Abner, Harry and Blanche
Mean
Prejudice
During summer school break when Richard helped Pa doing work at their farm
Richard
Hardworking
Thoughtful
Sensitive
Pa
Observant
Reserved and distant
Richard had dinner with the Schermers
Johann Schermer
(Hannah's father)
Optimist
Appreciate arts
Frieda Schermer
(Hannah's mother)
Pessimist
Appreciate arts
CHARACTER-CHANGING EVENTS
Character-changing events are events that develop the characters. It can be the changes to both the main character(s) and the minor characters. Below are character-changing events in this novel:
EVENTS
CHARACTERS
Before
After
Richard exchanges letters with Mr. Kilmer
Richard has no confidence as he cannot fit in with others
He becomes more confident to share his poetry
Richards shares his poetry and Mr. Kilmer's letters with his classmates
His classmates are prejudice towards Richard because he does not fit in with others
Richard earns the respects from some of his classmates
Richard signs the card and sends it to the Schermers
Hannah was angry and bitter after her family's tavern has been vandalised
Hannah became close friends with Richard
PLOT-TURNING EVENTS
Plot-turning events are events that change the plot, either causing a problem or solving a problem. Below are plot-turning events in this novel:
EVENTS
WHAT HAPPENED?
CONSEQUENCES
World War I
In April 1917, America has declared war on Germany.
Turtle Lake residents become prejudice and discriminating towards the Schermers because they are German-Americans.
Signing a sympathy card for the Schermers
Mrs. Hansen asks her students to sign a card to show their sympathy for the Schermers because their tavern has been vandalised but only Richard signed the card
Other students especially Abner and Harris begin to discriminate Richard. Richard is labelled "Hun's Lover" and get into a brawl with Abner and Harry.
Lady Liberty and The Doughboy selection
Mrs. Hansen held an essay writing competition to select students for the roles of Lady Liberty and The Doughboy. Hannah won the role fair and square but it has caused a riot among Turtle Lake people. She decided to turn down the role.
Richard also declined his role as The Doughboy to show his support for Hannah. However, people began to call him traitor and unpatriotic. Richard was later being scolded by Pa after Abner's father, Ike Lewis, complained to Pa.
The death of Mr. Kilmer
Richard wrote a letter to ask Mr. Kilmer about how poets and poetry can make the world better but Hannah told him about Mr. Kilmer's death
Richard wrote a poem entitled "In Memory of Sergeant Joyce Kilmer" and published it in Turtle Lake Weekly. Pa was moved by the poem that he kept repeating, "A world is dead and gone!" because it reminds him of his dead brother, Roland. Pa began to open up with Richard.
IMPORTANT EVENTS IN DEAR MR. KILMER (Not following chronological order)
EVENTS
NOTES
PROBLEM
FITTING IN
Hunting VS Poetry
Richard didn't kill the buck because he hates violence.
Gus advised him to fit in (be normal like others) but Richard disagreed.
Shows that Richard has different belief and principle regarding life.
Hannah was bullied
Hannah cried in the hallway because her book cover was sprawled with "Dirty Hun."
Abner, Harry and Blanche badmouthed Hannah because she is a German-American.
Shows that Hannah is being discriminated only because she is a German-American.
SIGN THE SYMPATHY CARD
Prairie Haus was vandalised
Mrs. Hansen wanted her students to sign a card to show sympathy for the Schermers
Nobody signed except Richard.
Shows that Turtle Lake children are prejudice towards German
Richard was firm with his principle.
Sending the card to the Schermers
Richard offered to help Mrs. Hansen to deliver the card to the Schermers.
Abner and Harry tried to stop Richard but they were subdued by him.
Shows that Richard is physically strong even though Abner called him 'sissy.'
Hannah and Richard became friends
Later, Hannah apologised to Richard for being rude to him
Hannah wondered why people do bad things.
Richard explained it is because "people are scared." Other kids in their class did not sign the card because they were afraid.
FIRST CORRESPONDENCE
The poem "Tree"
Mrs. Hansen read Mr. Kilmer's poem to class
Abner said poems and poets are "sissy stuff."
Mrs. Hansen explained that Mr. Kilmer is brave as he volunteered to fight for the country.
Inspires Richard to write a letter to Mr. Joyce Kilmer.
Received letter from Mr. Kilmer
Richard asked Mr. Kilmer's advice about sharing his love for poetry with others.
Mr. Kilmer encouraged Richard to write and share his poems with others.
Richard now has the confidence to share his poetry with others.
Sharing his poems with his family
Pa and Angie were indifferent.
Gus felt disgusted. He called poetry "sissy stuff."
Gus warned Richard not to let others know he writes poems because people already called him "Hun Lover."
Sharing his poems with Mrs. Hansen
Mrs. Hansen was proud of Richard and helped Richard choose a poem to send to Mr. Kilmer.
She wanted Richard to share his poems and Mr. Kilmer's letters in class.
SHARING POEMS AND LETTERS
Richard shared his poems and letters
Richard read the poem he sent to Mr. Kilmer and the latest letter received from him.
Hannah helped improved a poem Richard wanted to send to Mr. Kilmer.
Some students began to show respect to Richard.
WHAT IS HUN?
Mr. Higby's lesson
Mr. Higby told the students that American troops were arriving in France.
He explained the correct usage of "Huns."
Shows that most people misunderstood the term "Huns" due to propaganda by the Allies.
DURING SUMMER HOLIDAY
Richard helped Pa at the farm
Richard loved school but loved farming more.
Richard spent a lot of time helping Pa at the farm.
They spent the entire days together but there was a strange barrier between them.
Shows that Richard is hardworking.
Shows that Pa is reserved and distant.
LIBERTY BONDS INCIDENT
Essay writing contest
There was a patriotic programme to help sell Liberty Bonds to finance the war.
Mrs. Hansen held an essay writing contest to choose who will play Lady Liberty and the Doughboy.
Richard won 'the Doughboy' role
In his essay, Richard suggested to write to young American soldiers to show support.
Most of the students clapped but some were disappointed.
Hannah won 'Liberty Lady' role
In her essay, Hannah talked about making peace. She said the real enemy is war itself.
She suggested civilians to wage war against prejudice and hatred and learn to accept others regardless of caste, creed and colour.
Abner, Harry and Peggy disliked her.
Nobody clapped except Richard.
Shows how discrimination and prejudice are widespread in Turtle Lake
Declining the roles
Everyone at school talked about Mrs. Hansen's decision to choose Hannah as Lady Liberty
Some parents complained to the principal.
Hannah decided to decline the role.
Mrs. Hansen was upset to announce Hannah's decision. Some students were happy but Richard was shocked.
Richard also declined his role to show his support for Hannah.
After school, Richard told Gus that he was invited to have dinner at the Schermers.
Gus told Richard that people were calling him unpatriotic and a traitor for declining the role.
Gus told Richard that Pa will find out.
Shows that Hannah is considerate
Shows that Richard is thoughtful and kind
DINNER WITH
THE SCHERMERS
A family that appreciates arts
Richard met Mr. and Mrs. Schermer.
They loved literature, history and art.
Hannah's parents told Richard about their family and the stories of big cities they have visited.
The Schermers told Richard that he was always welcome to their house.
The Schermers are from middle-class family, unlike most people in Turtle Lake who are farmers.
CONVERSATION WITH PA
Ike Lewis's accusations
Pa told Richard that Ike Lewis complained that Richard was siding with the Schermers by declining the role. Ike also said Richard was unpatriotic and hopes German will win the war.
Richard explained the truth and defended the Schermers against Ike's accusations.
Pa's advice
Pa told Richard not to side with the Schermers.
Pa said that they are farmers and different from the Schermers.
Pa reminded Richard that Ike and other folks helped harvest their crops when he broke his leg.
Pa reminded Richard to fit in with the community and not to stand above everybody.
GUS JOINED
THE ARMY
A quarrel with Pa
Gus told Pa he had enlisted in the army and would join the war after graduation.
Pa was angry with his decision but Gus said he won't die because he was too tough and smart.
Pa was offended because it sounded as if Gus thought Uncle Roland wasn't tough and smart.
Pa grumbled that Gus always ran away from farm work by giving excuses (i.e. sports, war).
Shows that Gus was hard-headed, hasty and inconsiderate.
Gus left for Sioux City
Richard tried to calm Gus down.
Gus said Pa is disappointed with him because he would never become a farmer.
Gus was disappointed with Richard because his head is full of dream and poems.
The next day, Gus left for Sioux City. He tried to say goodbye but Pa remained silent.
Shows that Pa was angry but at the same time worried about Gus because he lost Uncle Roland the same way.
THE BIG
QUESTION
Last letter from Mr. Kilmer
Mr. Kilmer was writing "The Rouge Bouquet" in the trench.
He advised Richard to read the works of other great poets and carry on their work if they die fighting, because poets play an important part in the world.
Richard wanted to know what can poets and poetry do to make the world better?
Shows that Richard is curious.
THE DEATH OF
MR. KILMER
Richard received the news
Richard wanted to quickly send his letter, asking how poets and poetry can make the world better.
He stopped at Hannah's house.
Hannah told Richard that Mr. Kilmer has been killed. It was in the newspaper.
"In Memory of Sergeant Joyce Kilmer"
Richard was sad to hear the news. Now he would never know the answer to his question.
Richard did not want to write another poem again because it did not stop Mr. Kilmer from being killed, or stop the war.
However, he somehow wrote a poem entitled "In Memory of Sergeant Joyce Kilmer."
Sharing the sad poem
Richard wanted to share the poem but he knew Pa and Angie never understood his passion in writing poetry.
Richard shared the poem with the Schermers.
The Schermers encouraged Richard to get his poem published in 'The Turtle Lake Weekly' but Richard was afraid to make Pa angry.
- Shows that Richard is thoughtful and considerate
Publishing the poem
Richard and Hannah went to see Mr. Garrison, the newspaper's owner.
Richard knew he was an embarrassment to Pa and was afraid to embarrass him more.
Richard's poem was published a few days later.
Richard reassured himself that Pa will not be shocked.
Pa finally opened up
After the farm work, Pa read the newspaper. He asked if Richard knew about Mr. Kilmer's death.
Pa was not angry. For the first time, Pa talked about Uncle Roland.
Uncle Roland was killed in Cuba on July 1 but the newspaper only reported, "American casualties were slight" but to Pa, Uncle Roland was the world.
Pa was moved by Richard's poem because his poem used the words Pa used when Uncle Roland died: "A world is dead and gone!"
A HAPPY
ENDING
A happy family
Both Pa and Richard finally understood why Richard wrote poetry. Richard now wrote regularly for 'The Turtle Lake Weekly.'
Pa now enjoyed Richard's poems and even helped to correct or give suggestions with his farming experience.
The whole family was amused that Gus was still training for a war that was over.
ANSWERING NOVEL QUESTION
Unlike essay questions, novel question does not focus on how many evidences you can list down. When answering any novel question, you need to consider these:
Are you answering the question?
Can you relate the question with suitable evidence(s)?
Are your evidences detailed?
Is your answer organised and well-structured, or is it all over the place?
Can you respond to the question by relating it to yourself?
These are among the things you need to consider in order to get good marks for novel response. Sounds difficult? Actually, it is not that difficult if you use the template provided in this module.
ANSWER REQUIREMENTS
Basically, this is how you should answer the novel questions:
Paragraph 1 (Introduction)
Mention the title of the novel and the author.
Provide a brief synopsis in one or two sentences.
Repeat the question.
State the main ideas (OPTIONAL – depends on question).
Paragraph 2
Simple sentence stating the FIRST main idea (the "cause").
State reason.
Provide evidence(s) with keywords from the novel.
Link to the "effect" (for KBAT).
Paragraph 3
Simple sentence stating the SECOND main idea (the "cause").
State reason.
Provide evidence(s) with keywords from the novel.
Link to the "effect" (for KBAT).
Paragraph 4 (OPTIONAL)
Simple sentence stating the THIRD main idea (the "cause").
State reason.
Provide evidence(s) with keywords from the novel.
Link to the "effect" (for KBAT).
Last Paragraph (Conclusion)
Conclude your answer by RE-STATING the main ideas (Paragraph 1, sentence 4).
Mention about your hope OR thought (depends on question)
ANSWER TEMPLATE (This is how your novel answer will look like)
Paragraph 1 (Introduction)
The novel I learnt is ____(title of novel)___ by __(name of author)__. This novel is about _______________(a short synopsis in just one to three sentences)______________. The ______________________(repeat the question here)_________________________. This is because ____________(state the main ideas)_________________.
Paragraph 2
First of all, _________________(state FIRST main idea)_____________________. This is because ___________(state reason)____________. This is shown in the story when ___________(provide evidence(s) with keywords from the novel)__________________. ______________(Write MORE than TWO sentences)____________________________. As we can clearly see now, _________(link the "cause" to an "effect")_____________.
Paragraph 3
Moreover, ________________(state SECOND main idea)____________________. This is because ___________(state reason)____________. This is shown in the story when ___________(provide evidence(s) with keywords from the novel)__________________. ________________(Write MORE than TWO sentences)____________________________. It is clear as day that __________(link the "cause" to an "effect")_____________.
Paragraph 4 (OPTIONAL)
Apart from that, _______________(state THIRD main idea)___________________. This is because ___________(state reason)____________. This is shown in the story when ___________(provide evidence(s) with keywords from the novel)__________________. __________________(Write MORE than TWO sentences)_______________________. Now we can see that ____________(link the "cause" to an "effect")_____________.
Last Paragraph (Conclusion)
In conclusion, _________________(re-state the main ideas)___________________. I hope ___________________________________________________________________.
OR
In my opinion / I think, _______________________________________________________.
BLANK TEMPLATE FOR EXERCISE
The novel I learnt is ___________________________ by ___________________. This novel is about __________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________. The _____________________________________________________________________. This is because ____________________________________________________________.
First of all, __________________________________________________________. This is because __________________________________________________________. This is shown in the story when ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
As we can clearly see now, ___________________________________________________.
Moreover, __________________________________________________________. This is because __________________________________________________________. This is shown in the story when ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
It is clear as day that ________________________________________________________.
Apart from that, ______________________________________________________. This is because __________________________________________________________. This is shown in the story when ________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Now we can see that ________________________________________________________.
In conclusion, _______________________________________________________. I hope ___________________________________________________________________.
OR
In my opinion / I think, _______________________________________________________.
