“One has to struggle to improve one’s life. “ How far is this true in the novel you have studied?

Support your answer with close reference to the text (15 marks).

Based on the novel that I have studied in form 5, Dear Mr. Kilmer, written by Anne
Schraff, there are a few events that show the phrase ‘One has to struggle to improve one’s life’ is
true.

The main character of this novel, Richard Knight had to struggle his life in the hunting
incident event. In this event, Richard, Pa and Gus waiting by a creek in the forest when the sun has
not risen yet. Pa was very excited when he said Richard is going to get his first deer on that day.
However, Richard is a boy who loves the nature. He cannot bring himself to destroy any part of
nature. As a result, when a young buck comes to drink on that day, he misfires on purpose to avoid
killing it. He taught that the animal was supposed to be alive just like human. Therefore, he could not
bring himself to do the shoot. Initially, he wants to lie to his Pa that his arm got cramped from cold
or something, but then he tells the truth by saying that he did not have the right to kill such a fine
and wild animal to Pa. Richard has the courage to stand up for himself.

Besides that, this phase was portrayed when Richard was the only student who signed a
sympathy card for the Schermers. When the Schermer’s tavern was vandalized, Mrs Hansen asked
her class to sign a sympathy card for them. The troublemakers like Abner, Harry and Peggy refused
to sign the card . They warned other classmates not to sign the card. The boys were afraid Abner and
Harry would hit them. The girls worry that popular girls like Peggy and Blanche would not speak to
them. however, Richard was the only student who signed the sympathy card for Hannah Schermer.
Richard believe that the Schermers were discriminated by some people in Turtle Lake just because
they were German ancestor. Even though Richard is unfazed by the taunts from fellow students after
signing the card and assaulted by Abner and Harry who call him an ‘out-and-out traitor’ he manages
to win the fight.

Furthermore, this phase was also portrayed when Hannah declined the role of Lady Liberty.
Hannah and Richard won the roles of Lady Liberty and the Doughboy respectively because they
wrote the best essays. Mrs Hansen asked the class to write an essay as one of the activities for a
patriotic programme which helped sell Liberty bonds. Many students were angry when Hannah won
the role. They regarded Hannah as an unpatriotic German although she was an American citizen.
Hannah told Richard that her essay started a little war in Turtle Lake. She did not want to cause any
more problems so she decided to turn down the role. Richard wanted to support Hannah. Therefore,
he declined his part as the Doughboy too. His family, his schoolmates and the Turtle Lake criticized
him for turning down his role. They called him unpatriotic and a traitor. These criticisms never
stopped Richard from standing up for what was right.

Richard is a boy who has integrity. He also a soft-hearted person when he did not have the
heart to kill the buck and even telling the truth behind a reason of mispurpose to shoot the deer to
his Pa. He once a boy that have the courageous to sign the sympathy card even though he know
people will criticized about him. All he want is just fairness and tried to give a lesson to not being a
prejudiced. In order to bring along the honour, he is even willing to declined the role of the
Doughboy so that he can adheres to justice.

In conclusion, we should follow Richard’s attitude and often looks in the positive direction to
improve and get a better life. We must go through all the challenges in lives to achieve success.