PAPER 2 ( SECTION D – NOVEL)

Dear Mr. Kilmer by Anne Schraff

ELEMENTS OF THE NOVEL

a. 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...”

Xenophobia Love amongst

( fear of foreign Family members
Patriotism
people )

The Importance Themes In Self versus

Of community
Education Dear Mr Kilmer

War
Popularity Fairness And Friendship
Equality

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
- Richard was being discriminated for his interest,
belief and principle (his love for poetry and
standing up for the Schermers)
Discrimination / We should not
prejudice discriminate or prejudice - Hannah Schermer was being scorned for
against anyone with winning the role of Lady Liberty fairly only
different race/creed. 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.

- 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
Standing up for We must be brave to Richard was brave to sign the card despite being
what is right stand up for what is threatened by Abner and Harry.
right
- 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.

- Richard’s treatment towards Hannah when she

was being discriminated, e.g. her book cover was
Being kind / We should be kind / sprawled with ‘Dirty Hun,’ her family’s tavern was
concerned / concerned / thoughtful vandalised, she was being scorned at for winning
thoughtful to others the role of Lady Liberty.

- How majority of Turtle Lake people discriminate

Being mean / We should never be and was being prejudice against the Schermers
unfair mean or unfair to others because they are of different race and creed.
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.

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.
 c. 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:
i. character-defining events,
ii. character-changing events, and
iii. 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

Richard Loves nature
The Knights went out hunting Thoughtful
(Chapter 1) Gus Rude / Boastful
Pa Protective
Reserved
Richard Kind
Hannah’s book cover was Rational
sprawled with ‘Dirty Hun’ Abner, Harry and Blanche Mean
Prejudice
Hardworking
During summer school break Richard Thoughtful
when Richard helped Pa Sensitive
doing work at their farm Pa Observant
Reserved and distant
Johann Schermer Optimist
Richard had dinner with the (Hannah’s father) Appreciate arts
Schermers Frieda Schermer Pessimist
(Hannah’s mother) 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 Richard has no confidence He becomes more confident
with Mr. Kilmer as he cannot fit in with others to share his poetry

Richards shares his poetry His classmates are prejudice Richard earns the respects
and Mr. Kilmer’s letters with towards Richard because he from some of his classmates
his classmates does not fit in with others

Richard signs the card and Hannah was angry and bitter Hannah became close
sends it to the Schermers after her family’s tavern has friends with Richard
been vandalised
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?
World War I In April 1917, America has
declared war on Germany.
Mrs. Hansen asks her students
Signing a sympathy to sign a card to show their
card for the sympathy for the Schermers
Schermers because their tavern has been
vandalised but only Richard
signed the card
Mrs. Hansen held an essay
writing competition to select
Lady Liberty and The students for the roles of Lady
Doughboy selection 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 wrote a letter to ask Mr.
Kilmer about how poets and
The death of Mr. poetry can make the world
Kilmer better but Hannah told him
about Mr. Kilmer’s death
CONSEQUENCES
Turtle Lake residents become
prejudice and discriminating
towards the Schermers because
they are German-Americans.
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.
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.
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
Hunting VS Poetry Shows that Richard
Richard didn’t kill the buck because he hates has different belief and
violence. principle regarding life.
PROBLEM
FITTING IN Gus advised him to fit in (be normal like others)
but Richard disagreed.

Hannah was bullied Shows that Hannah is

Hannah cried in the hallway because her book being discriminated
cover was sprawled with “Dirty Hun.” only because she is a
German-American.
Abner, Harry and Blanche badmouthed Hannah
because she is a German-American.

Prairie Haus was vandalised Shows that Turtle Lake

Mrs. Hansen wanted her students to sign a card children are prejudice
to show sympathy for the Schermers towards German

Nobody signed except Richard. Richard was firm with

his principle.
Sending the card to the Schermers Shows that Richard is
SIGN THE Richard offered to help Mrs. Hansen to deliver the physically strong even
SYMPATHY card to the Schermers. though Abner called
CARD him ‘sissy.’
Abner and Harry tried to stop Richard but they
were subdued by him.

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.

The poem “Tree” Inspires Richard to

Mrs. Hansen read Mr. Kilmer’s poem to class write a letter to Mr.
Joyce Kilmer.
Abner said poems and poets are “sissy stuff.”

Mrs. Hansen explained that Mr. Kilmer is brave as

he volunteered to fight for the country.

Received letter from Mr. Kilmer Richard now has the

FIRST Richard asked Mr. Kilmer’s advice about sharing confidence to share his
CORRESPON his love for poetry with others. poetry with others.
DENCE
Mr. Kilmer encouraged Richard to write and share
his poems 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.

Richard shared his poems and letters Some students began

SHARING Richard read the poem he sent to Mr. Kilmer and to show respect to
POEMS AND the latest letter received from him. Richard.
LETTERS
Hannah helped improved a poem Richard wanted
to send to Mr. Kilmer.

Mr. Higby’s lesson Shows that most

WHAT IS Mr. Higby told the students that American troops people misunderstood
HUN? were arriving in France. the term “Huns” due to
propaganda by the
He explained the correct usage of “Huns.” Allies.

Richard helped Pa at the farm Shows that Richard is

DURING Richard loved school but loved farming more. hardworking.
SUMMER
HOLIDAY Richard spent a lot of time helping Pa at the farm. Shows that Pa is
reserved and distant.
They spent the entire days together but there was
a strange barrier between them.

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

LIBERTY disappointed.
BONDS
INCIDENT Hannah won ‘Liberty Lady’ role Shows how
In her essay, Hannah talked about making peace. discrimination and
She said the real enemy is war itself. prejudice are
widespread in Turtle
She suggested civilians to wage war against Lake
prejudice and hatred and learn to accept others
regardless of caste, creed and colour.

Abner, Harry and Peggy disliked her.

Nobody clapped except Richard.

Declining the roles Shows that Hannah is

Everyone at school talked about Mrs. Hansen’s considerate
decision to choose Hannah as Lady Liberty
Shows that Richard is
Some parents complained to the principal. thoughtful and kind
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.

A family that appreciates arts The Schermers are

Richard met Mr. and Mrs. Schermer. from middle-class
DINNER WITH family, unlike most
THE SCHERMERS They loved literature, history and art. people in Turtle Lake
who are farmers.
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.

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

CONVERSATION Schermers against Ike’s accusations.
WITH PA
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.

A quarrel with Pa Shows that Gus was

Gus told Pa he had enlisted in the army and hard-headed, hasty
would join the war after graduation. and inconsiderate.

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

GUS JOINED thought Uncle Roland wasn’t tough and smart.
THE ARMY
Pa grumbled that Gus always ran away from farm
work by giving excuses (i.e. sports, war).

Gus left for Sioux City Shows that Pa was

Richard tried to calm Gus down. angry but at the same
time worried about Gus
Gus said Pa is disappointed with him because he because he lost Uncle
would never become a farmer. Roland the same way.

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.

Last letter from Mr. Kilmer Shows that Richard is

 Mr. Kilmer was writing “The Rouge Bouquet” in curious.
the trench.
THE BIG
QUESTION 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?

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.”
THE DEATH
OF Sharing the sad poem - Shows that
MR. KILMER Richard wanted to share the poem but he knew Richard is
Pa and Angie never understood his passion in thoughtful and
writing poetry. considerate

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.

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 family
Both Pa and Richard finally understood why
Richard wrote poetry. Richard now wrote
A HAPPY regularly for ‘The Turtle Lake Weekly.’
ENDING
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)
1) Mention the title of the novel and the author.
2) Provide a brief synopsis in one or two sentences.
3) Repeat the question.
4) State the main ideas (OPTIONAL – depends on question).

Paragraph 2
1) Simple sentence stating the FIRST main idea (the “cause”).
2) State reason.
3) Provide evidence(s) with keywords from the novel.
4) Link to the “effect” (for KBAT).

Paragraph 3
1) Simple sentence stating the SECOND main idea (the “cause”).
2) State reason.
3) Provide evidence(s) with keywords from the novel.
4) Link to the “effect” (for KBAT).

Paragraph 4 (OPTIONAL)
1) Simple sentence stating the THIRD main idea (the “cause”).
2) State reason.
3) Provide evidence(s) with keywords from the novel.
4) Link to the “effect” (for KBAT).

Last Paragraph (Conclusion)

1) Conclude your answer by RE-STATING the main ideas (Paragraph 1, sentence 4).
2) 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, _______________________________________________________.