DEAR MR KILMER (CHAPTER5)

SYNOPSIS

 Richard shared about the content of the letters and poems between him and
kilmer.
 Richard didn’t like the last line of the poem as it sounded negative (“though
some will surely die”).
 Some of his classmates felt so Hannah suggested “although I wonder why”
 Richard felt relieved that his secret was known by many.
 In History class, Mr Higby explained the meaning of “Huns”- Nomadic
Mongolian and didn’t have any relation with present day’s Germans.
 School ended on Summer. Richard enjoyed his farming and thought a lot about
Hannah. He even composed poems about Hannah.
 For Richard, Hannah – smart and beautiful
 THEMES

1.THE CHALLENGES OF GROWING UP

-Richard has little chance of communicating with PA.
-Problem in relationship with Hannah.

2.HUMANITY AND FRIENDSHIP GIVE US HOPE

-Joyce kilmer replied to Richard’s letter.
-Kilmer’s encouragement help improve Richard’s poem.

3.LIFE IS FULL OF SURPRISES AND IRONIES

-Richard discovers a fellow poet who has the same love for nature and living things.

4.LOVE,UNDERSTANDING AND FAMILY RELATIONSHIP

-PA loves his children but he is unable to express it.
 CHARACTER AND
CHARACTERISTIC

RICHARD KNIGHT
1.NERVOUS
-Richard felt very nervous when he had to stand in front of the class to make a
presentation. (PAGE 57).

2.HARDWORKING
-Richard spent his days working hard on the farm. (PAGE 64).

3.CARING
-Richard loved working at his father’s side-plowing,planting,and cultivating as
well as taking care of the animals (PAGE 64).

4.AMBITIOUS
-Richard hope to be a well-known poet someday (PAGE 64).

5.SHY
-Richard had many things to discuss with his father but always shy to start a
conversation with his father (PAGE 65).
-Richard felt too shy to approach Hannah (PAGE 67).
JOYCE KILMER
1.BRAVERY
-Mr Kilmer was brave to volunteer to go fight in the war (PG 57).

2.POSITIVE MINDED
-Even though Rose,Mr Kilmer’s daughter died,he was positive that she went to
heaven (PG 59).

3.COURAGEOUS
-Perhaps if people like me do their duty in this last war,fine young men like you
will never have to fight and die ever again.This hope is always in my prayers”said
Joyce Kilmer in a letter to Richard (PG 66).
HARRY CARVER & ABNER
1.LOVES DISCOURAGING
-Harry Carver insulted Richard that he was a sissy by whispering to someone
across the aisle (PAGE 58).

2.JEALOUS
-When Richard went back to his seat after presenting in front of the class,Abner
and Harry were sneering at him of jealousy (PG 61).
MR HIGHBY
1.KNOWLEDGEABLE
-She described the current battles during history class (PG 62).

2.LOVES ENCOURAGING
-Encourages and reminds the students to keep reading the papers for the latest
news on the war,even during the holidays (PG 63).

BLANCHEE FREEBOLD
1.LOVES GIVING COMPLIMENT
-He praised that Richard’s poem was good (PG 58).
HANNAH SCHERMER
1.WISE
-Hannah suggested the last line of Richard’s poem which was then praised by
Joyce Kilmer (PG 66).

MRS HANSEN
1.LOVES ENCOURAGING
-She praised Richard’s poem (PG 61).
 SETTING OF THE STORY

PLACE
-IN THE CLASS : Richard shares Mr Kilmer’s latest letter with his class and his
poem.

TIME
-AT NIGHT : Richard writes a letter and sends his poems on the troop train to
Mr Kilmer.

SOCIAL
-
 PLOT

•Mrs. Hansen announced that Richard is going to read the letters he received
from Mr Kilmer. Some of the boys started insulting Richard.
•Richard read the letter out loud and read out the poem he had just written in
honour of the soldiers going to war.
•Hannah gave a suggestion to make the last line of the poem sound better.
Richard complimented Hannah’s suggestion.
•That night, Richard wrote a reply to Mr. Kilmer. Over the summer, Richard
worked hard on the farm with Pa.
•One night, Richard even wrote a poem about his father.
•He received a letter back from Mr. Kilmer. He was very happy that Mr. Kilmer
had complimented Hannah. However, he was too shy to go see her. Hannah was
always in Richard’s thoughts.
 MORAL VALUES

1.WE MUST HAVE THE COURAGE TO SERVE OUR COUNTRY

-Joyce kilmer volunteers to serve in WW1 (PAGE 66).

2.WE MUST BELIEVE IN OURSELVES

-Some of his classmates consider poets to be sissies however in the end Joyce
Kilmer noticed his talent (PAGE 59).

3.WE MUST ACCEPT OUR FATE IN LIFE

-Joyce Kilmer accepted the fact that his daughter,Rose died and went to heaven
(PAGE 59).

4.WE MUST BE AMBITIOUS AND SET OUR GOALS HIGH

-Ricard dreams of becoming a well known poet someday (PAGE 64).
 QUESTION 4 ALL

1.WHY DIDN’T RICHARD BRING THE LETTER TO HANNAH?

2.WHO DID RICHARD WANT TO SHARE THE LETTER WITH AFTER

HE HAD FINISHED READING IT?

3.WHO WAS RICHARD’S HISTORY TEACHER?

 ANSWERR

1.RICHARD FELT SHY BECAUSE HANNAH WAS TOO SMART AND

PRETTY.

2.HANNAH BO55KU.

3.TO KEEP READING NEWSPAPER.