Novel, Catch Us If You Can The Most Interesting Character

Who is the most interesting character in the novel that you have studied? Give
reasons to support your answer.

SAMPLE ANSWER

In the novel Catch Us if You Can by Catherine MacPhail, I think Granda is the most
interesting character in the book.
Reading through the novel, I found out that he was a caring and kind grandfather to
Rory. The fact that Rory was to return the favours implies that Granda must have
been a good man and good grandfather. His love for Rory is absolute. Also, Granda
finds it hard to bear that Rory has to be in a home and wants to get out of hospital to
take Rory home. This shows how much he cares for Rory.
Granda is also a charmer. It is because he easily compliments others especially
women not only for the looks but also for their talents as he praises Ruby for her
cooking. All the times he remains the perfect gentleman, like opening the door for the
young mother at the clinic.

Other than that, he is quite a fascinating character. He knows a lot about films and
film stars. His love for movie stars makes him even name his son and grandson after
some film heroes of his time. Also, he loves singing and has no inhibitions about
singing some old songs, however badly, in front of others.
With all the above, I believe that Granda must be an interesting and remarkable
man.

Some Characters Solve Their Problems but Some Do Not

Novel, Catch Us If You Can Some Characters Solve Their Problems but Some
Do Not
The characters in novels often face problems. Some solve their problems but
some do not. Using information from the novel you have studied, show how
one character solves his/ her problems
one who does not solve his/ her problems
Support your answer with close reference to the text.

SAMPLE ANSWER
It is true that characters in novels often face problems. Some manage to solve their
problems but some do not.
In Catherine MacPhails Catch Us If You Can, a character who manages to solve
his problem is Rory. His apartment is burnt down due to Granda s carelessness. He
is then forced to part with his Granda. He is sent to stay at the children s home in
Castle Street, and Granda is sent to the old folks home in Rachnadar. Being very
close to Granda, Rory can see that Granda is miserable at the home. Rory can
sense that Granda has lost interest in everything and it breaks Rorys heart to see
Granda like that.
So, Rory comes up with a plan to run away with Granda. He knows, by doing so, he
can always be together with Granda. As long as they are on the run, they will be
together. It can only be for a few days or a couple of weeks, but to Rory and Granda,
their time together is precious.
On the other hand, Tess, a girl whom Rory meets at the children s home, fails to
solve her problems. She has a sad life. Her mother is in prison and all her relatives
reject her. Being homeless and unwanted, she is sent to Castle Street. Instead of
making the best of her life there, she worsens it by becoming a bitter, angry and
violent person.

Her violent outbursts become so bad that she loses control of herself and her
actions. She injures others, making them keep away from her. She fails to make
friends and so, remains lonely and friendless. She cannot overcome her loneliness
and sense of rejection. If she had chosen to be more positive, she would probably
have made some friends who can help her instead of feeling rejected and unloved.

A Close Relationship
Novel, Catch Us If You Can - A Close Relationship
Using details from the novel you have studied,
describe a close relationship between two characters
explain why you would consider them to be very close.
Support your answer with close reference to the text.

SAMPLE ANSWER
In the novel Catch Us If You Can by Catherine MacPhail, Rory McIntosh and his
grandfather share an inseparable bond.
According to Rory, they are like a double act. His father abandoned his mother and
him, so when his mother died, he was taken care of by his grandparents. The death
of his grandmother had left him with his grandfather. He called him Granda and
Granda had looked after him all his life and now it was his turn to look after Granda.
However both of them were incapable of looking after themselves because Granda
was too old and sick while his grandson was too young to shoulder the responsibility
of looking after himself and his forgetful and sometimes disorientated grandfather.
Whatever the difficulties, Rory and Granda refused to be separated. Rory argued
that sending Granda to a home would kill his grandfather and forcing him to stay in a
childrens home would be unbearable. That showed how close they were and how
emotionally dependent they were on each other.
Rory loved Granda so much that he was prepared to make a lot of sacrifices for the
old man. He let go the chance to be in the school football team because he needed
to look after Granda. He had to run home from school during lunch break to bring
Granda lunch. On several occasions, Granda had unwittingly lost or misplaced
Rorys homework and that had earned him the wrath of his teacher, Mrs Foley.
Besides all these, he had to think of the little precautions to take to keep Granda out
of harm. Still, he did not want to part with his Granda who would have been better off
in an old folks home. Granda felt the same also. The bond between the two was a
special one. However, events took a decisive turn when Granda accidentally caused
a fire in the kitchen of their flat. Granda was taken to hospital and then to Rachnadar,
a home for the elderly. Rory ended up in Castle Street where he met the troubled
Tess and fought with her.
He was miserable there. Granda fared no better at the home. Rory felt that they had
been cheated by his social worker, Val Jessup. He plotted on the run while the police
launched a hunt for them. The news of the runway pair was everywhere on television
but they managed to evade the police with the help from sympathizers along the
way. They suffered a lot of discomfort while on the run and the old man s condition
worsened but they seemed happy. Being together has become a source of strength
to them. They were finally persuaded to go and see Rorys long-lost father, Jeff

McIntosh, who had been traced to Liverpool as a result of the publicity. But before
they could do this, Jeff came for them. They ended up together again, and this time
in a flat near where Jeff and his new family lived. Jeff was finally ready to assume
responsibility for his father and his son.
Rory and Granda were inseparable. It looked as if only death could separate them.
Nothing mattered as long as they were together.

The Title Suits The Story Perfectly

Novel, Catch Us If You Can The Title Suits The Story Perfectly
The title suits the story perfectly
Using details from the novel you have studied, discuss whether you agree with
the statement above. Give reasons for your answer. Use evidence from the text
to support your answer.

SAMPLE ANSWER
The title of the novel Catch Us If You Can by Catherine MacPhail is simple and
catchy that suits the novel perfectly because it captures the actions of a grandfather
and a grandson who cause a frenzy when the police launch a massive search for
them. The grandfather has run away from an old folks home he hates and the
grandson has escaped from a horrible children s home.
The title has the semblance of a challenge to the people tracking down the pair. It
sounds cheeky, insolent and child-like and it reflects the character of the runaway
pair. The grandfather, suffering from age-related ailments can be childish and does
not realize the implications of what he has done. In his pursuit, he has caused bodily
harm to a youngster who recognizes his grandson, Rory, from the news on television
and wants to turn them in. Then, he steals a car to get away. All these can be
considered criminal but he is happily nonchalant or ignorant of all the legal
implications. His grandson and accomplice, Rory, is a child who knows no better. The
expression If You Can is not only tongue-in-cheek, but also suggests that tracking
them down can be difficult. One would think it would be easy to catch them but it is
not. Although what they are doing is unbelievably crazy, they have earned the
sympathy of many people along the way and this has helped them to evade the
police for so long. First, Darren, Rorys best friend, plans the first lap for them when
he steals his mothers caravan key for them to hide out while they think of a better
plan after they leave the homes.
Then, they meet Sammy and Ruby who offer them help as the police are closing in
on them. Next, there is Rab at the petrol station who gives them a respite and
convinces them that they should go and find Jeff McIntosh, Rorys father, in
Liverpool because it is time for him to do something in his whole useless life . After
that, there is Annie, Rabs girlfriend, who hands them over to her cousin, Norma.
Norma finally brings the whole saga to an end when she decides to call the police
because she can see that the old man really needs medical help.

The title suits the story perfectly because it is a story about a grandfather and a
grandson on the run. It is also a reflection of what the story is the police are not
looking for regular criminals but just two ordinary people whom the police do not
want to apprehend but to protect and keep out of harm.

Love, Compassion and Family Relationship Are Important in Ones Life

Novel, Catch Us If You Can Love, Compassion and Family Relationship Are
Important in Ones Life
Love, compassion and family relationship are important in one s life.
Using the evidence from the text, explain how this is true. Support your
answer with close reference from the text.

SAMPLE ANSWER

Catherine MacPhail put the elements of love, compassion and family relationship in
her novel, Catch Us if You Can. From the beginning to the end of the story, those
three elements hold the story together.
The love between generations shows that love is continuous and never ending. For
example, Rorys love for his Granda is unconditional and vice versa. He is ready to
sacrifice anything so that he remains united with his grandfather. The grandfather, in
turn, has devoted his life to bring up the child from birth and his whole life revolves
around him.
Love in a family and the power of love among family members are also portrayed in
this story. For example, Sammy, his wife, Ruby and son Tyrone portray a warm and
loving family. Besides that, Bernie, his wife and daughter are equally warm-hearted
and helpful. Rab and Annie are loving and caring too.
Love and respect among Rorys friends also keep him from troubles. They look
upon Granda with great affection. Darren, the one who is the weakest in the class,
shows much compassion for Rory and helps him as much as he can. Mrs. Foley also
shows sincere, love and care for Rory. She shows her concern towards Rory when
Granda is admitted into the hospital. She realizes that Rory should not be in the
childrens home.

As a conclusion, the concept of the elements of love, compassion and family

relationship bring beauty to the story.

Theme of Happiness

Novel, Catch Us If You Can Theme of Happiness

Using details from the novel you have studied, write on the theme of
happiness. Use evidence from the text to support your answer.
SAMPLE ANSWER
In the novel Catch Us If You Can, Rory McIntosh has been living with his
grandfather since he was a young boy. On the surface, this arrangement such as
theirs cannot be a happy one because Granda is old and sick while he is too young
to be able to look after himself, let alone his forgetful and sometimes disorientated
grandfather. Granda would have been better off at Rachnadar, a home for the aged
where his needs will be taken care of by professionals and Rory would have been
able to lead a more normal life at Castle Street Children s Home. But they refuse to
be separated. Despite the difficulties, they are happy together. In their own obstinate
way, they are guarding their right to be together and be happy.
However, when Granda causes a fire in their flat, the social worker assigned to them
takes Granda to Rachnadar while Rory goes to the Castle Street home. Rory is
upset and so is Granda. Rory believes the home is killing his Granda. Then, Rory
decides to run away from the home, rescue his Granda from Rachnadar and they
would run away from all these meddling people. They are on the run for several
weeks and the television is full of news about them. A massive search is launched
for them. Ironically, while on the run, they experience some of the happiest moments
of their lives, with the help of sympathizers like Darren, his best friend who steals his
mothers caravan key to let them hide temporarily, Sammy and Ruby who shelter
them when the police close in on them. Then, there are the sympathetic petrol
station operator, Rab and his girlfriend, Annie. Their run comes to an end when
Granda becomes ill and causes concern to Norma, Annie s cousin who is helping
them to get to Liverpool to find Rorys father. She calls the police. All s well that
ends well when McIntoshs long-lost son, Jeff, who is also Rorys father comes for
them. He is ready to assume his responsibility as a son and father.

Rory and Granda are basically searching for happiness whether as a stubborn pair
fiercely defending their rights to stay together in the flat in the face of insurmountable
problems or whether as runaways, oblivious to the frenzy they are causing through
their actions. They sincerely believe that they are looking for happiness. After all,
nothing matters as long as they are happy because life is a quest for happiness.

Theme of Forgiveness or Reconciliation

Novel, Catch Us If You Can Theme of Forgiveness or Reconciliation

Using details from the novel you have studied, write on the theme of
forgiveness OR reconciliation.
Support your answer with close reference to the text.

SAMPLE ANSWER
In Catherine MacPhails Catch Us If You Can, Rory has been cared for by his
grandfather whom he calls Granda for as long as he remembers. According to
Granda, his own father was a spoilt brat of a boy; just mentioning him would make
Granda angry. He grew up to be someone who did not appreciate what he got and
left Rorys mother who later died of heartbreak. And that was when the senior
McIntosh decided to cut all ties with his son. He is adamant that the only son he had
is Rory and he can very well take care of the boy.
The irony of the situation is, Rory has been looking after his Granda who is not well
and needs medications for all sorts of ailments. As a result, Rory has to look after
him, take him to the doctor, prepare his lunch and make sure he takes his medicines
all too big a responsibility for a young boy like him. Despite the difficulties, both
Rory and Granda refuse to be separated, as any solution would entail sending the
old man to a nursing home and the boy, a children s home.
However, after Granda accidentally sets fire in their flat, he is sent to Rachnadar, an
old folks home and Rory to the childrens home in Castle Street. They cannot bear
being separated. Rory takes Granda out from the home and both go on a run. Soon,
the police is looking for them. News about them appears on the media. Rory and
Granda manage to evade the police because they get help from people who
sympathize with them along their journey.
Investigations reveal that Rorys father, Jeff Mcintosh is in Liverpool and they are
advised to go and see him. While on their way to Liverpool, Granda becomes too
sick. The police is informed by one of the people who helps them, Norma, who feels
that the old man needs immediate help. Jeff, with the help of the authorities, arrives
to take his father and his son with him. Both father and son are reconciled and Rory
finds his long-lost father. Jeff is ready to take on his responsibilities as a son to his
father, Granda, and as a father to his son, Rory.

The story ends with a reconciliation between the ageing and ailing father and the son
he has vowed to disown, Jeff. As for Rory, it is a happy reunion with the father he has
never known.

The Moral Value That Has Impressed You The Most

Novel, Catch Us If You Can The Moral Value That Has Impressed You The
Most
Using the details of the novel you have studied,
Write about the moral value that has impressed you the most.
Give evidence from the text to support your answer.
SAMPLE ANSWER
In the novel Catch Us if You Can by Catherine MacPhail, I learn about compassion
for fellow human beings. Many characters exhibit compassion for each other and act
in a kind manner because of their compassionate nature.
Rory and Granda care for each other and there is compassion in their actions. For
example, Rory cares for his grandfathers well-being. For instance, he makes sure
his Granda takes his medicine. Moreover, he always rushes home from school to
ensure Granda takes his lunch. Moreover, Rory protects his Granda from anything
he considers bad, offensive or dangerous. Rory even keeps Granda s pipe to make
sure there isnt any untoward incidents. Granda tries his best to help Rory and
unfortunately makes mistakes, but there is still compassion. He strongly says that no
grandson of his is going to a home for as long as he is around.
In addition, Dr Nicol insists that Granda and Rory get a home help. This is because
he believes that Granda and Rory are not capable of taking care of each other. Val
Jessup, the social worker, also shows compassion. She shows enthusiasm to help
Rory and Granda. When they are on the run, Val Jessup pleads on television for
Rory and Granda to come home. The police and the nurse also act compassionately
towards Granda and Rory. They are affected by the dilemma of an ageing man who
is so dependent on a young boy and therefore do what they think is the best.
Besides, Darren, Rorys close friend offers his mum s caravan to them because he
cares for Rory and Granda. He warns them about the arrival of the police.

With all the above, I believe that we must be compassionate to people. This quality
keeps us humane and make the world appear kinder and the troubles bearable.

An Important Moral Value You Have Learnt

Novel, Catch Us If You Can An Important Moral Value You Have Learnt
From the novel you have studied, write about an important moral value you
have learnt. Support your answer with close reference to the text.
SAMPLE ANSWER
From the novel Catch Us If You Can by Catherine MacPhail, an important moral
value I have learnt is that family relationships should be nurtured and not taken for
granted. Granda looked after Rory after Rorys father walked out on them. Since
Granda was old and forgetful, Rory took it upon himself to look after Granda. Nobody
forced or told him to do it but Rory felt it was the right thing to do. He was willing to
forego things that teenage boys should be doing. He did all the household chores,
made sure Granda took his medication and had his meals. He even kept Granda s
pipe to make sure there wasnt any untoward incidents. Granda and Rory did not
take their relationship for granted. Granda, on several occasions, had expressed
appreciation to Rory for always being there for him while Rory felt proud to have
Granda as his grandfather. Rory was protective and defensive of Granda. They
nurtured their relationship right up to the end even when they had a family, Jeff and
Karen.
Sammy, Ruby and Tyrone also showed a strong family relationship. Sammy and
Ruby were free and easy but respectful with each other. Ruby would tease Sammy
and vice versa. But, when it came to making decisions, Ruby left it to Sammy,
showing him respect as the head of the family. Tyrone was respectful and obedient
to his parents, Sammy and Ruby.

All in all, I have learnt from the novel that family relationship should be nurtured and
not taken for granted as family happiness and stability depend on this positive
attitude.

Plot of The Story

Novel, Catch Us If You Can Plot of The Story

From the novel you have studied, write about the plot of the story and state
what you think of the plot.
Support your answer with close reference to the text.
SAMPLE ANSWER
Catherine MacPhails novel Catch Us If You Can revolves around a teenager,
Rory, and his grandfather whom he calls Granda. Rory and Granda are on an
escape adventure from their hometown to Liverpool because they do not want to be
separated from each other. They have cared for and looked after each other for a
long time and with Granda getting on in years and becoming forgetful, Rory takes
over the responsibility of looking after Granda on his own initiatives.
One day, when their flat caught fire due to Granda s carelessness, both Rory and
Granda are placed in a childrens home and an old folks home respectively.
Granda is badly affected as he becomes withdrawn and lost. Rory knows that
Granda is slowly dying in Rachnadar, so he decides to run away with Granda. Rory
and Granda make the great escape but with no destination in mind. They only want
to be free and to be together. They spend a few happy carefree days at the caravan
site. When the police catch up with them, Rory and Granda are helped by Sammy
who gives them shelter.
Their journey is a struggle to stay free. Strangers help them all the way, giving them
shelter and making safe plans for them. Rory has doubts about whether he is doing
the right thing. All doubts are dispelled as Granda looks happy even when he is
exhausted.

Eventually, Rory decides they would travel south to Liverpool and look for his father,
Jeff McIntosh. Granda objects and rages about this when he realizes what Rory s
plans are. The climax of the story is when Granda almost loses his life in the cold
bus shelter. After that, they end up in Liverpool. It is a happy ending as they meet up
with Jeff and become a family again. The plot runs in chronological order. The reader
can follow Rory and Grandas interesting and sometimes heartbreaking journey from
their hometown to their final destination. Rory as the narrator projects a solid account
of their thoughts, feelings and gives good descriptions of the setting. The approach
makes it easy for the reader to understand and appreciate the story. I think the plot is
simple and relevant to our society where young people tend to forget their
obligations to the old.

Catch Us If You Can : Event

SPM 2011 NOVEL QUESTION
Based on the novel you have studied, write about the part of the story that you
like most.
Tips
1. State the part of the story you like most
2. Describe it ( elaboration and detail )
3. Give reasons ( provide at least 2 reasons )
Model Answer ( Band A )
In the novel Catch Us If You Can by Cathrine MacPhail, the part that I like
most is the great escape
Rory plans the Great Escape for three days after Darren suggests hiding in
his mothers caravan. He gives Rory the spare key to the caravan. Rory carefully
carries out his plan. He packs his and Grandas things. He visits Granda after school,
as usual. He wedges open the emergency exit. Later that night, he visits Granda and
prepares Granda by dressing him up and then tells him that he is getting out of the
home. Rory takes Granda away from there while Val is having coffee with the
nurses. Both of them successfully sneak out through the emergency exit and out to a
quiet train station where they are not noticed. They arrive at the train final stop and
go uphill in a fine drizzle and then up a long winding path that leads to the caravan
site.
I like this part the most because it shows that Rory is a loving boy. He loves his
Granda so much that he could not stand looking at his granda crying and feeling sad
staying at Rachnadar. Because of this, he is determined to take Granda out from
Rachnadar.
This part of the story also shows us how determined Rory is in making his
escape a success. He cannot live without his Granda who has brought him up and
taken care of him since he was a baby, and because of that he takes the risk to
take his Granda out from Rachnadar. I also think that this is the start of all the
adventures and challenges of Rorys and grandas lives.They meet with a lot of
people and are always on the run so that they are not caught. It makes the story
interesting and leads to the happy ending when Rory is reunited with his father.

Catch Us If You Can : An event that affects a

character
Question: Based on the novel you have studied, write about an
event and how it affects one of the characters. Give evidence to
support your answer.
In the novel Catch Us If You Can, by Catherine McPhail, an event
that affects one of the characters in the story is when Rory takes Granda
out from Rachnadar, a home for the aged. After taking his Granda out
from Rachnadar, Rory decides to escape from the town where they both
lived.
Their escape takes them to many places and they meet many
people who help them. Rory learns valuable lessons from these people.
For example, Rory learns about compassion and kindness from Sammy
and Rubys family. From Rab, Annie and Norma, Rory learns that there are
people in this world who would help others and the help comes in many
forms. When Norma reports Rory and Granda to the police, she does so
out of the kindness of her heart. This makes Rory touched and grateful.
This event has changed Rorys life. His life has changed for the
better when he and his Granda are reunited with Rorys father. Now, Rory
not only has a father, he also has new family members; a stepmother and
two stepsisters. Granda has also learned to accept and forgive Rorys
father and this makes Rory very happy.
Before this escape, Rory was worried about his Granda and as he
has to take up the responsibility of taking care of Granda, he cannot lead
a normal life of a young, growing boy. Finally, at the end of the story,
however, Rorys life has improved as there are certain services provided
for the elderly. He also has his father who is willing to take care of Granda
whom he has neglected for years. Due to this, Rory can lead a normal life
like his schoolmates. All these positive changes would not have happened
if Rory had not taken his Granda out from Rachnadar.

Novel - Catch Us If You Can

What is one life lesson that you have learnt from the main
character in the novel that you have studied? Support your
answer with close reference to the text.
I have studied the novel 'Catch Us If You Can' by Catherine MacPhail. The
story is narrated by Rory, a young boy who lived alone with his
grandfather, Mr. McIntosh whom he lovingly calls 'Granda'. Rory's father
had left him when he was still small and his mother had died of a broken
heart.
One life lesson that I have learnt from Rory is that one should be a
responsible family member. Rory was a very responsible boy even though
he was still a young kid. He realised that Granda had looked after him all
his life and now that Granda needed him, he would take care of him. He
did the shopping and cooking. He cleaned the house.
Rory also gave up football for Granda. Mr Hood, his football coach had
asked him to join the football team but he lied that he did not like football
anymore. The truth was, he needed to look after Granda. Granda relied on
him to get his lunch and he also had to make sure Granda took his pills.
Sometimes, he rushed home during lunchtime to buy two hot pies for their
lunch.
When Granda was hospitalised at Rachnadar, Rory realised that if he left
Granda there, he would be very miserable and sick. He was very
frightened when he visited Granda and he did not respond to him. He was
afraid that he would 'be dead inside'. He decided to run away with Granda
in order to save him.
Darren's mother was concerned for Rory. She felt that Rory should not
have to bear this kind of responsibility. However, Rory felt that it was his
responsibility since there was nobody else. Finally, when he found out
about his father, he felt that it was high time he lived up to his
responsibility as a son and father.

SPM Novel "Catch Us If You Can" An Admired Character

Based on the novel you have read, write about a character that
you admire. Support your answer by citing examples from the
text.
Based on the novel Catch Us If You Can by Catherine MacPhail, the
character I admire the most is Rory McIntosh. I admire him because he is
responsible, understanding and brave.
Rory takes on the responsibility of looking after Granda on his own
initiative. He makes sure Granda has everything he requires before he
leaves for school. Rorys time is divided between going to school, running
home to get lunch ready for Granda, reminding him to take his pills and so
on. He even gives up playing football to make sure Granda has his meals
and takes his medicine on time.
Rory also shows that he is understanding when he understands Grandas
needs. He knows that Granda will not be able to survive in Rachnadar. He
can see Granda dying slowly inside from the confinement and being
separated from Rory. He makes an escape plan and they run away from
the homes. It does not matter where they are going because as long as
they are together, Granda feels alive and happy.
Rory has also shown his bravery because Granda depends on him for
moral and physical support and encouragement. He has to make decisions
about placing their trust in strangers and more importantly he has to
decide about going to Liverpool. Granda is very much against the idea
while Rory hopes that his father can take over the responsibility to look
after Granda.
Based on the evidences above, I admire Rory because he is responsible,
understanding and brave.

SPM Novel "Catch Us If You Can" A Disliked Character

Based on the novel you have read, choose a character that you
dislike. Give reasons for your choice with close reference to the
text.
Based on the novel Catch Us If You Can by Catherine MacPhail,
the character I dislike is Tess, a violent girl who lives in the childrens
home at Castle Street.
I dislike her because of her violent deeds. She has violent bouts of
anger and temper tantrums. Though she has a sad life, her mother is in
prison and her relatives have all rejected her. Being homeless and
unwanted, she is sent to Castle Street. But instead of making the best of
her life there, she worsens it by becoming bitter, angry and violent.
Tess is her own worst enemy. Her anger and violence scare all the
children. Unlike other children who are nice, she fails to make friends and
so remains lonely and friendless. She cannot overcome her loneliness and
sense of rejection.
Her violent outbursts become so bad that she loses control of
herself and her actions. She injures others. Others keep away from her.
Rory tries to keep his distance from her when he sits for breakfast. Once,
she becomes very worse that causes Rory to lose his patience and shouts
at her. She retaliates by punching Rory on the nose. They have a fight in
the childrens home.
Therefore, I dislike Tess because of her violence. If she has chosen to
have good behaviour, she would probably have made some friends who
can help her instead of feeling rejected.

CATCH US IF YOU CAN

Literature Novel
TIPS AND GUIDE
IMPORTANT EVENTS
You must remember a few important events in the novel. This is because
you need to support your answer with evidence and examples . These
examples and evidence are the events. For example, the question; write
about what you have learnt. If you write that you learnt you should love
elders and family members, you have to support it by giving evidence.
Here, the evidence can be when Rory is separated from Granda, which is
one of the events in this novel.
HERE ARE 3 IMPORTANT EVENTS.
1. Granda throws Rorys homework
One day, Granda absent-mindedly throws away Rorys homework and
keeps rubbish in Rorys bag. Rory is not angry. He knows Granda does not
do it on purpose.
Rory
a patient boy
loves his Granda so much that he
understands his Grandas
condition.
Theme
love, family relationship
Lesson learnt
we must love the elders and be
patient with them
2. The Separation, Rory is sent to Castle Street and Granda to
Rachnadar
After the fire at the flat, Rory is sent to Castle Street
and Granda to Rachnadar. Rory is not happy. Granda does not like to stay
there and he is upset and cries. Rory sees Granda sitting on his bed and

crying at Rachnadar. It breaks his heart . Granda and Rory cannot live
without each other. Rory decides to run away with Granda.
Rory
loving, responsible, cannot live
without Granda
Theme
love, family relationship
Lesson learnt
we should love our family and
be responsible
3.The Great Escape
Rory plans the Great Escape. Darren suggests hiding in his mothers
caravan. Rory carefully carries out his plan. He packs his
and Grandas things. He visits Granda after school, as usual. He wedges
open the emergency exit. Later that night, he sneaks into Rachnadar and
takes Granda away from there.
Rory
a brave boy, a person of action,
loving, responsible, cannot live
without Granda
Theme
challenges of growing up and
coping with responsibility
Lesson learnt
we should be brave to face
challenges in life and do what we
think is right

SPM 2011 NOVEL QUESTION

Based on the novel you have studied, write about the part of the
story that you like most.
Model Answer
In the novel Catch Us If You Can by Cathrine MacPhail, the part that
I like most is the great escape
Rory plans the Great Escape for three days after Darren suggests
hiding in his mothers caravan. He gives Rory the spare key to the
caravan. Rory carefully carries out his plan. He packs his and Grandas
things. He visits Granda after school, as usual. He wedges open the
emergency exit. Later that night, he visits Granda and prepares Granda by
dressing him up and then tells him that he is getting out of the home. Rory
takes Granda away from there while Val is having coffee with the nurses.
Both of them successfully sneak out through the emergency exit and out
to a quiet train station where they are not noticed. They arrive at the train
final stop and go uphill in a fine drizzle and then up a long winding path
that leads to the caravan site.
I like this part the most because it shows that Rory is a loving boy. He
loves his Granda so much that he could not stand looking at his granda
crying and feeling sad staying at Rachnadar. Because of this, he is
determined to take Granda out from Rachnadar.
This part of the story also shows us how determined Rory is in making
his escape a success. He cannot live without his Granda who has brought
him up and taken care of him since he was a baby, and because of that

he takes the risk to take his Granda out from Rachnadar. I also think
that this is the start of all the adventures and challenges of Rorys and
grandas lives.They meet with a lot of people and are always on the run
so that they are not caught. It makes the story interesting and leads to
the happy ending when Rory is reunited with his father.

Catch Us If You Can - by Catherine MacPhail ( Form 5 Novel )

The synopsis
This is a heart-warming story about the love between two generations, a
grandchild and a grandparent. It tells the story of a young boy, Rory who
was separated from his ailing grandfather due to unavoidable
circumstances.
Rory and his grandfather, whom he called Granda, lived in their flat in
Scotland. His mother passed away and his father abandoned him when he
was young. Since then, his Granda had been Rory's guardian and they
only had each other to rely on. Granda was kind, generous and charming
but he was prone to lapses in memory due to his old age. Granda's
episodes of forgetfulness were often hilarious, but they could sometimes
also be disturbing and dangerous. There were times when Granda put
Rory's homework down the rubbish chute and the rubbish in Rory's school
bag, acted inappropriately at Parents' Night and left his lit pipe in his coat
pocket. Due to this, over the years a role-reversal had taken place, Rory
had become Granda's care taker instead of Granda caring for Rory.
One day, as a result of one of Granda's episodes of forgetfulness, their flat
was burnt down and Granda was seriously hurt. The authorities then

realised that neither of them was capable of taking care of the other, so
they were separated. Rory was sent to the children's home Castle Street
and Granda to Rachnadar, a nursing home. They were devastated with the
news and found it difficult to adjust to their new environment. Rory
decided to run away with Granda so that they could stay together.
They embarked on their escape across the country and encountered
different kinds of people. Some were untrustworthy while some were keen
to help and give support.
Along the way, Rory decided to track down his father who lived in
Liverpool. As the journey became perilous and with his grandfather's
worsening health, Rory had to decide whether to continue with their
escape or to turn themselves in to the authorities.

THEMES:
Bridging the generation gap
There is a young boys love for his aging grandfather. The novel explores key issues
that young boys of this age may confront as their characters are shaped by
relationships around them. There are challenges of growing up and learning about
responsibility shown in the life of Rory. Rory is eleven years old and he should be
playing football and enjoying being a boy but he has the big responsibility of keeping
Granda safe and away from Rachnadar. Granda looked after him in those days and
now he knows it is his duty to look after him now. Rory accepts that responsibility
with a great attitude and does not hesitate to do his duty. But from being just a
student, Rory grows up within a short frame of time to make decisions and to act
with great responsibility.
Family and relationships

There is a journey of love and protection between a grandfather and his grandson.
Love, compression and family relationships are portrayed through their actions.
Granda and Rory love each other and that guides all their actions. Granda loves his
son, Jeff but feels let down by what happened years ago. He loves Rorys mother
dearly too. Granda looked after Rory before and now Rory wants to look after his
Granda. That is family love.
Social and civic responsibilities
How society tries to intervene and help those who they think are unfairly treated or
who they think deserve a better treatment. The novel emphasizes the importance of
social responsibility. Doctor Nicol, the teacher, Mrs. Foley, Darrens mum and Val
Jessup feel that Rory need help at home and that he should be enjoying his boyhood
and not be burdened with the responsibility of looking after an ageing and ailing
grandfather. The police officials and the nurses are seen as kind and compassionate.
The inmates at the childrens home too care about what is happening to Rory and
want to help him. Members of the public believe strongly that the two should not be
separated and voice their opinion on television. The great escape would not be
possible without the support and help of the public. Thus society has a great role to
play in molding people to be what they are.
Social bias
How society is quick to decide what the aged and ailing as well as the young should
betreated.The social welfare service sees to the very young and the very old. The
decision of the authorities is not always right and should be questioned. Ruby the
traveler complain that social workers check on Tyrone to see if he is getting his
education and is not being abused in any way . The authorities can be nasty to the
gypsies and people on the fringes of society. The police bring fear and anxiety but
they are also seen as being compassionate in their dealings with Rory. The
authorities chase after Rory and Granda but the public is mainly on their side and
people help them all the way.

Moral Values:
Family relationships and bonds must be appreciated and maintained. There must be
compassion and kindness.
Communication is an important feature among friends and family members. It
results in the loving and caring attitude generally.
Trust is a vital component in bridging generations. We must not be judgmental as
appearances may not be what they seem.

SAD EVENT

Question: Write about a sad event and its effect on the characters in the novel
that you have read. Give evidence to support your answer.

Answer:

The novel that I have studied is Catch Us If You Can by Catherine MacPhail. This
novel is about a young boy named Rory who lived alone with his grandfather. When
Rory and Granda were separated due to a fire, Rory made a decision to run away
with Granda so that they could be together.
One of the sad event in this novel is when a fire broke out at the flats where Rory
and Granda were staying. On that day, Rory was heading to the bakery as usual to
get lunch, the baker told him that something was going on at his flats, the Fire
Brigade had gone there and someone had been sent to the hospital. Rory rushed
home immediately to find many people surrounding the building. He tried to get into
the building. A policeman told him that Granda had been admitted to the hospital but
he was going to be all right. Rory heard that Granda had probably left the chip pan
on and forgot about it. Then, Rory was taken to the hospital to see Granda.
This event triggered a few other important events which changed their lives forever.
As a result of the fire, Rory had to be sent to stay in Castle Street, the children's
home and Granda was sent to Rachnadar Hospital. Rory hated Castle Street as he
had to face the terrible Tess who bullied everyone around her. He ended up fighting
with her. At the same time, Granda was suffering at Rachnadar Hospital. He blamed
himself that Rory had ended up in Castle Street. Rory saw that he was retreating
further and further into his shell and he did not want Granda to die 'inside'. So, he
made a decision to run away.
During the Great Escape, Rory and Granda had to move from place to place. This
affected Granda's health. First, they went to Darren's mum's caravan. When Rory
received news from Darren that they were found out, they escaped again. This time
they were rescued by Ruby and family. They went on an adventurous journey from
place to place. At one time, Granda even had to hit a boy who was threatening to
catch Rory. Then, Granda hotwired a car and they escaped again. Their adventure
ended when Granda fell unconscious at the bus shelter while they were on the run
from the police. Finally, Rory had to ask for help and Granda was sent to the
hospital. There, they were reunited with Jeff, Rory's father and his new family.
Thus, we can see that the fire that caused Rory and Granda to be separated
triggered other events which changed their lives forever. In the end, Rory's problems
were solved when they could stay somewhere near his father and they also received
home help for Granda and their meals are taken care of by 'meals on wheels'.