By

Goh Zi Ling
Michelle Wong
Ker Yiu Jane
 Richard is thrilled to receive a reply from
Joyce Kilmer, who sympathises with him and
encourages him to pursue his poetic dreams
with courage and confidence. He shares his
own fears and tells Richard that fear is a part
of life. He invites his young fan to write again
and to send him one of his poems.
 When Richard shares the letter with his
family, he is disappointed that they show
little enthusiasm about his ‘fellow poet’. No
ones seems interested in reading or listening
to his poems. Gus tells his younger brother
not to be ‘an oddball’, but to try and fit in
with society.
 Richard shows Mrs Hansen Kilmer’s letter. She is
very impressed. Richard shows her a few of his
favourite poems and she helps him select the one
to send to Kilmer.
 Hannah apologises to Richard for her rudeness
the day before and praises him for his courage in
signing the card. She also informs him that some
kind neighbours had come to whitewash that
cruel words on their tavern.
 Richard tells Hannah that fear motivates the
actions of their classmates and neighbours.
Hannah shares her feeling of anxiety when they
first moved from Milwaukee to Iowa.
 Richard climbs the oak tree again and see the
train load of merry soldiers on their way to war.
1. Humanity and friendship give us hope
 Joyce Kilmer’s humanity shines through when he
replies to Richard’s letter. A sensitive and
perceptive man, Kilmer hears the cry of a lonely
but poetically talented Richard who needs
friendship and kindness.
2. Love, understanding and family relationships
 Gus cannot understand why Richard is not
interested in team sports or ‘fitting in’. This
causes some tension in the home.
3. The challenges of growing up
 Richard has problems fitting in with society.
Having a quiet, sensitive nature, he likes to be
alone and daydream rather than play sports.
1. Compassion and understanding
 Joyce Kilmer understands Richard’s
challenges and gives him a lot of
encouragement and support.
2. Truth, integrity and honour
 Richard knows that prejudice is wrong and
vandalism of the Schermers’ tavern is an
unforgivable racial crime.
3. Patriotism
 Joyce Kilmer is a poet with a family, yet he
signed up as a soldier.
Richard
1. Not sociable
 Climbs the old oak tree where he can be
alone and watch the train pass by
2. Analytical
 Explains to Hannah that their classmates and
some neighbours act irrationally because of
fear and misinformation
3. Well read
 Unlike others, Richard knows the reality of
warfare, he read and heard about the horrors
of trench warfare
Joyce Kilmer
1. Patriotic
 Volunteers for national service even though
he is afraid and has a family
2. Wise
 Can see that Richard is a sensitive and lonely
boy, he treats Richard with gentleness and
respect
3. Supportive
 Encourages Richard to be brave and not let
fear cripple him
Hannah Schermer
1. Appreciative
 When she learns that Richard was the only
one who dared to sign the card, she
apologises for her previous rudeness and
tells Richard that she really appreciates his
courage and integrity
2. Generous
 Cries when she is hurt by her schoolmates
but does not fight back