NOVEL : DEAR MR.

KILMER

SUMMARY (CHAPTER BY CHAPTER)

Chapter 1

Richard, Gus and Pa went for Richard’s first hunting but failed to do so. Gus pestered Richard
to join sports and about fitting in by hunting which is the family tradition. Later at night,
Richard learned from Angie who isn’t like the rest of the family, how to be truthful and not
beat around the bush. Away from family, Richard was in his room, reciting a four line poem
and kept it away in a drawer where no knew it exist. He didn’t want anyone to know he’s
interested in poetry because he’d been known to be weird by his nature.

Chapter 2

Class started with Mrs. Hansen, the English teacher recites a poem on Trees by Mr. Joyce
Kilmer. While others made fun of it, Richard enjoyed it so much, he borrowed the book from
Mrs. Hansen and read it completely that afternoon in his room. After that, he wrote a letter
to Mr. Joyce Kilmer to pour out his feelings and what should he do about his real interests,
although a part of him doubts if he would ever reply

Chapter 3

The tavern owned by Hannah Schermer’s parents was vandalized so to show some concern-
sympathy, Mrs. Hansen handed over a card to the students to sign. All except Richard didn’t
sign the card. Feeling responsible, Richard took the card from Mrs. Hansen and went over to
Hannah’s to give the card. Before he could get there, he had to fight over with Abner and
Harry because they were bullying him and Hannah. Upon reaching, Richard was treated
badly by Hannah and he was being understandable of her situation and left the place after
giving the card to her. When he got home, Angie surprised him by handing over to him a
letter from New York, from Joyce Kilmer himself.

Chapter 4: Getting a reply from Mr. Joyce Kilmer was so good to be truth as he read the
letter. He wants Richard to overcome his fears and do what he must do. He decided to tell
his family while they were having their desserts. He confessed that he’s into poetry and has
been writing to Joyce Kilmer who is a soldier cum writer who was introduced by his English
class teacher. Gus advised Richard not to tell anyone in school as what he did earlier caused
him a bad reputation. He asked Mrs. Hansen to help him in choosing the right poem to send
to Mr. Joyce Kilmer and it was the one written during a thunderstorm. Hannah apologized
for misbehaving to him and story to Richard how she dislikes moving to Milwaukee. She also
tells that her brother, Otto has joined the army as well. On his way home, Richard saw the
train filled with soldiers who were laughing and smiling while some were waiving at him.
Reality hits and Richard is worried about Otto and Joyce Kilmer

Chapter 5
Richard finally confesses to his entire class that he writes poetry and that he has been
exchanging letters with the poet, Joyce Kilmer. Richard works hard in the farm especially due
to the high demand for food for the soldiers. Mr. Kilmer enjoyed his poem and is curious
about the question that was asked in the last line of the poem. Richard realizes he is starting
to develop feelings for Hannah- he thinks about her often and occassionally writes poems
about her.

Chapter 6
Richard kept in touch with Mr. Kilmer throughout the summer. One day he receives news
that made him very unnerving, Mr. Kilmer`s training was over and he was in France. Richard
worried for his new friend`s safety. He started wondering whether the war would prolong to
the point where Gus and Richard himself would have to enroll into the academy for war. He
prays that this is “the war to end all wars,” said by the President would be true. On the first
day back to school, the school organised patriotic competition where the winner was to
dress up as Lady Liberty and Doughboy. It was no surprise when Richard was given the
privilige to be Doughboy for his remarkable essay. However, the whole class except Richard,
Millie and Herbie were stricken in horror after hearing the bomb shattering news that
Hannah was going to be Lady Liberty.

Chapter 7
Richard kept his applause for Hannah despite the fact he knew what was the consequences.
Then, everyone in the whole school started to talk about the Mrs. Hansen choice of Lady
Liberty. To everyone relief, Hannah eventually resigns her role as Lady Liberty because of
issues that were rising. To everyone shocking revelation, Richard turned down the offer to be
Doughboy, instead the roles were given to the runner ups of the best essays- Herbie ad
Millie. Rumours spread like wild fire across the whole school. When Richard went home to
inform his that he is having supper at Hannah`s place, his was confronted about the
Doughboy issue and was said that he is not being patriotic and that he was traitor. Richard
met Mr and Mrs Schermer and realized they had quite a number of similarities – they
enjoyed poetry and music as much as Richard did. He enjoyed his time at Hannah`s
household and her parents and he was always welcomed into their home.

Chapter 8
When Richard arrived home after having a wonderful time at the Schermer's household,
what he didn't expect to see Pa waiting for him. He was shocked to hear that his father
found out about the Doughboy incident. Richard admitted that he turned down the part
because everyone targeted Hannah because she got the part as Lady Liberty. Pa advised
Richard that he shouldn't be too nice with everyone and he should be taking care of "our
people" and the Schermer's were not "our people." Rumours were still going on about
Richard was a traitor and was siding with the Germans; but it didn't seem to affect his mood.
Hannah and Richard's relationship bond grew stronger as the days go by. He would share his
poetry and letters from Mr. Kilmer to them and they share his happiness and anxiety. They
would all pray for the safe return of Otto, Hannah's brother and Mr. Kimer. The Schermer's
household was his oasis in a desert of loneliness. In January, Mr. Kilmer writes a letter to
Richard about he misses his family and how difficult Christmas was without him by their sid.
To cheer him up Hannah made him some cookies and her mother made him a scarf to keep
him warm during the winter war.

Chapter 9
Richard`s worse fears has been realized; Gus has been enlisted for basic training for the war.
However, Pa did not share his excitement, he was furious to find out Gus had voluntereed to
be in the army. The two quarelled before he went to pack and leave for training. Richard had
the same fear as Hannah- that he was afraid of losing his brother. To take the pain and fear
away, he wrote another poem and sent it aong with his letter to Mr. Kilmer which he
received it withing few days. After writing his latest letter, he felt the urgency to sent the
letter to Mr. Kilmer but on his way to the post office he passed by Hannah`s to find out such
heart renching news- Mr. Kilmer was dead.

Chapter 10
Richard remained motionless until with great compassion, the Schermer`s gestured him to
enter the house. Mr Schermer showed him the article about how he was shot in the head
early in the morning. Richard could not hold his tears any longer so he rushed out of the
house and ran to his favourite hiding spot, an oak tree overlooking the train tracks. He broke
down in tears when there was no one in sight and clutched the unsent letter to his chest for
no one could answer his question and that he has lost someone that understood him.
Richard swore he would no longer write poetry but through the tears, a poem was made.
Hannah and her parents felt that he should publish it in the newspaper to pay tribute to Mr.
Kilmer. The poem was published and Pa saw the poem. He questioned Richard on how he
knew the phrase “A world is gone. A world is dead and gone.” Those were the same phrase
Pa used when his brother died in the Battle of El Carney in July 1st. Finally the war ended in
mid-November. They were relieved and laughed when they thought about Gus who went for
training without seeing war. After that, Richard`s poetry became a regular feature in the
Turtle Lake Weekly. He busied himself with school and farm work but he also made time for
The Schermer`s and Hannah and most importantly, he never stopped writing poetry. Richard
after that always shared his poetry with Pa and usually received feedback on how to make
his poetry better since his poems were more to farm.