In the novel Catch Us If You Can woven by Catherine McPhail, I noticed how

the writer skillfully braided the theme of determination and show it to the
enthusiastic readers on how the theme of determination delivered affect the
family of those with determination.
In the fine art of written words, readers can learn how the main protagonist
and narrator of the story, Rory McIntosh was portrayed as a boy with huge
determination set in him when it came to achieving what he wanted.
Growing up in an unusual lifestyle, Rory was very determined to stay with his
old and senile grandfather even if it meant for him to toil with all the burden
of caring for a weak and forgetful old man. Instead of living like other normal
kids his age, Rory had to face huge burden of taking care of Grandas needs
and deteriorating health condition, and problems of losing his homework and
sacrificing his passion for football game. Despite what the people around
him, including his teacher and his bestfriends moms disagreement of such
trouble that a young boy like him had to shoulder, his determination nestled
strongly in his heart to make him carry out his duty unfailingly towards his
beloved Granda by getting him food and medicine, and meeting his Grandas
appointment with his doctor.

In his undisputed determination, Rorys further move in his goal to keep his
one and only family together with him is simply an eye-opener. An evidence
can be simply found during the grand night of Rorys scheme to escape from
his prison, an orphanage called Castle Street and to sneak into his grandas
prison, an old folk home. His attempt was carefully executed, smuggling
granda out to freedom to the outside world so that they can stay together as
a family, even with the risk of being called fugitives.
With cops on their tails, their faces aired on every news nationwide and
pleads from people for them to show up, Rory displayed great determination
in surviving and continuing with his struggle to tend to Grandas state of
health for the sake of their plight for family unity. Though doubts crept into
his heart throughout their journey, especially with Grandas worsening
condition, his determination bears fruits of triumph and joy for their family.
Unexpectedly, they were reunited with distant family member they had lost
hope of meeting, and can now settle in a comfortable place they can simply
call home.
A persons determination can bring back positive outcomes for him and his
familys future. It is just a matter of place and time. As for Rory, with his will
and determination, he has won the best prizes one could ever get; to finally
be together with Granda for good, reunited with his father and getting a
handful of friends who have supported them throughout his great adventure.

Enough said, McPhail had shown her skill in creating this literature and her
good message of the importance of determination and how this can impact
the family and the character himself in many ways

that determination paves the way for success.

Throughout the novel, readers can vividly see how the fictional
characters from McPhails imagination staged the whole story based on the
theme I had mentioned above. Take Rory McIntosh for an example, he was
only an innocent adolescence who was trying to learn what the world has to
offer for him, yet he was burdened with a responsibility to take care of his
grandfather, Mr McIntosh who suffered from Alzheimer without the aid of
anyone else, even his own father. Many tried to get in the way to separate
Rory and his grandfather, otherwise known as Granda. After a freak incident,
Rory found himself depressed in an orphanage while Granda slowly
withdrawing from the real world as he was stuck in Rachnadar, a home for old
people. Knowing full well that Granda wont be happy there, Rory found
determination to bust them both out of their captivated places and seek
liberty and enjoy life the fullest by being fugitives. Their determination
paved the way for them to achieve their goal, and they succeeded.
Along their adventure, the McIntoshs faced many difficulties, but
they faced all of them with bravery, fuelled by their determination. They had
encountered a family of travelers whom Grande first suspected as tinkers
but apparently they proved to be kind people. The family helped the two
now well known fugitives to escape from the police. Even though they have
their own problems, the travelers were determined not to leave the poor
couple behind. With their help, Rory and Granda managed to find goal and
have some family time they thought theyll never experience again.
The last evidence that amplify the existence of the mentioned
theme was when Rory set his mind to find his father inLiverpool. His father
had neglected him since he was a baby and Granda clearly had a strong
dislike toward him yet Rory was desperate. Using a string of people who were
eager to help them, he made his way toLiverpool and even avoided Granda
from knowing their real destination. After some near-death events, after Rory
almost lost hope, they finally achieved success.
By the evidences I had presented throughout my essay above, its
not wrong for me to say that I truly appreciate the theme implanted in the
novel which is determination paves the way for success

SBP TRIAL PAPER

Using details from the novel that you have studied, write about:
-

a memorable event

how the event affects one of the characters in the story

In the novel Catch Us If You Can written by Catherine MacPhail, there are
many interesting events depicted in it. The event which is most memorable
to me is Rorys and Grandas Great Escape. In this event, Rory came up with
a well-thought plan to run away from Castle Street, the childrens home and
help Granda escape from Rachnadar, the old folks home. Rory realised that
Granda was wasting away at Rachnadar and he himself found the pressure of
staying at the childrens home increasingly unbearable. Rory and Granda
desperately wanted to be always together. Those were the reasons why Rory
plotted such an escape. The Great Escape affected one of the characters,
which was Rory, in many ways.

The first way was, it affected Rory by making him more determined and
confident. This could be seen in his effort to be together with Granda. He
knew what he wanted and he was not afraid to act to get it. For example,
when he resolved to get his grandfather out of Rachnadar, he planned it
meticulously and executed it so well that they managed to sneak out of the
hospital undetected to his friends mothers caravan at a remote area. It was
a challenge to run off with an ailing old man but Rory felt that his grandfather
was like his baby brother, relying on him to make things better, so it did not
deter him from doing so. Rory was very determined and confident when it
concerned safeguarding his grandas happiness.

Another effect on Rory was, the Great Escape had made him more
responsible towards the safety of Granda and also himself. Throughout the
escape, Rory carefully took care of Grandas health by ensuring his medicines
were taken at the right time and they had the safe shelter to stay throughout
their journey. As they had no final destination in mind, Rory also made sure
that he always carried with him some food and warm clothes. They had to
keep on running and Rory had to be alert all the time to avoid both of them
from being caught by the police. Although Rory was just a teenage boy, he
could not rely on Granda as Granda was not very healthy and could easily be
panic. Besides, Granda also had lapses of memory and hearing problem
which made things more complicated for Rory. Once, Rory had to yank

Granda into the bushes to avoid the police as Granda was too busy talking to
realize the dangers coming. Here, we could see that Rorys sense of
responsibility had developed tremendously during the journey.

Being on the run had affected Rory in making him more matured. Rory might
be young but he was a matured boy who readily admitted his mistakes when
he had to. For example, when he learned that he had misjudged Ruby and her
family as travelers, people from whom he should keep distance, he quickly
apologized and promised not to be so judgmental in the future. Rorys
maturity was obviously highlighted when he had to make decision in his life.
It had been a tough decision for Rory when he chose to run away with
Granda. It was challenging for him when he had to look out for the police who
were after them besides handling Granda with his worsening health and
unpredictable nature. There were times when he wondered if he was doing
the right thing to run away with Granda especially when he realised Grandas
wheezing getting more painful. However, all doubts were dispelled as he
found Granda look happy even when he was exhausted. Being together with
Rory was all wanted by Granda. Rory was then confident that he had made
the right decision and for sure he would not be able to do so if he were
notmatured.

The Great Escape had also taught Rory to place his trust on strangers as a
way out. He knew he would lose Granda if he did not. Rory was lucky that he
met some good people along the way who would help them proceed on their
run. However , at first he was always suspicious of their motive behind their
assistance. He would initially adopt a defensive attitude when he first met
such people until he knew that he could trust them. For example, he was
curious and doubtful when he first met Sammy and Ruby. However, later on
they grew to care for each other and Rory felt quite reluctant to leave them
as if he was leaving his own family behind. He also learned to trust Rab when
he realized that Rab was sincere. In such a desperate situation like the Great
Escape, Rory had no choice butto trust some strangers in order to save him
and his granda.

Another major effect on Rory was the Great Escape had finally made Rory
reunite with his father, Jeff and his fathers family. Rory and Granda finally
settled down in Liverpool. They stayed in a flat close to Rorys father. Rory
was happy to have a new family which included a stepmother and two
younger sisters. In spite of Grandas stories about Jeff, Rory found Jeff easy to

get along. Granda also had forgiven Jeff . They were all finally reunited as a
family.

As conclusion, the most memorable event in this novel to me is the Great

Escape. This event had so much affected Rory, one of the main characters in
this novel, that it caused Rory to learn to trust strangers and be more
matured, determined, confident and responsible.
Based on the novel Catch Us If You Can by Catherine MacPhail, the
value of love in a relationship is constantly pondered upon. Indeed, love
makes the world spin, and in this case, it keeps a relationship alive.

Rory is an average boy, only with a peculiar lifestyle. Society accepts

the norm that the old takes care of the young. In Rorys case, it is vice versa.
He was the one who took care of his Granda. His estranged father, Jeff, was
nowhere to be found. Granda was always old and forgetful. He was not even
able to take care of himself, much less Rory. Rory took care of their meals,
and tended to Grandas medications. He even ignored his passion for sports.
He did not mind a bit, due to his unconditional love for Granda.
When Rory was separated from Granda, he stayed at Castle Street in
agony, knowing that Granda was falling apart without him. His love for
Granda pursued him to maintain their relationship by running away. He
devised a brilliant plan, taking the consequences into consideration. He never
lost sight of what was really important, and that was he was all that Granda
had, and Granda was all he had, too. It is proven here that Rorys love for
Granda keeps the relationship alive. Rory might not be an adult yet, but his
actions showed otherwise.
Rorys love for Granda was not one-sided. Granda was well aware of
his complexities and Rorys patience when dealing with them. Ever since Jeff
abandoned Rory, Granda treated him like he was his own son. He loved him
more than anything in the world. His love for Rory was obviously shown
during their escape adventure. He proved himself worthy of the name Granda
when he made breakfast in the morning after their escape. Rory seemed glad
that his Granda was returning back to his capable self again. His love for Rory
also drove him to do unexpected things; such as whacking a persons head
with a bottle when Rory was threatened. He impulsively decided to steal a car
when they had no more means of transportations during their escape. Rory
was scared out of his wits, but secretly impressed by his Grandas confidence.
Reaching to the end, we can see how Granda was losing strength. However,

he kept going. He had only Rory in mind. Eventually, he lost consciousness

and Rory had to ask for help. Fortunately, he survived and kept going on
living with his love for Rory. Grandas love for Rory kept their relationship, and
eventually himself, alive.
With these evidences, it is shown in the novel that love really keeps a
relationship alive. Hats off to Catherine MacPhail.
Catherine MacPhail had opened the eyes of the readers of her best-selling
novel, Catch Use If You Can, about how family ties overcome all obstacles.
Using selections of entertaining dialogues, thrilling plots and unique
characters, she had carefully plant that moral value in her masterpiece
through several characters in her novel.
The first evidence of this statement can be vividly seen by the bond
between Rory McIntosh, a normal child with a huge responsibility in the form
of his grandfather, Mr McIntosh or more commonly known as Granda. After
being forced to stay in Castle Streetwhile watching Granda slowly
withdrawing from the real world as he stayed in Rachnadar, Rory made a bold
move to take Granda away from his mental prison to the outside world, as
fugitives.
Even though cops were looking for them, their faces had been
shown in televisions almost every night and people were trying to get them
back, they knew that giving up wont help and they had to overcome the
obstacles with the only thing they still have, family ties. In the end, the ties
saved them from being doomed on the streets or being locked down forever
and now theyre safely settled in a place they can call home.
Other than that, the family of what Granda called tinkers had
proven to be trustworthy themselves and they face their own problems
while helping others problems with only themselves to hang on too. Tyrone,
the kid in the family, had been confronted with many social workers trying to
separate him from his parents so that he can have a proper education. Even
when his own sister left their caravan for a normal life, Tyrone still sticks to
his parents because their bon is stronger than any forces who want to keep
them apart. The obstacles they had faced seem nothing now when they are
together and theyre determined to stay that way because family ties
overcome all obstacles.
My deepest gratitude for the awesome writer, Catherine MacPhail
for her effort to show to the world about this wondrous fact.