DEAR MR KILMER: TIPS TO

CRITICALLY EXAMINE THE

NOVEL QUESTION
BY PN YOGAMALAR
• This write-up is based on the performances of the performances of
the Form 5 pupils in the recent examination.
• Having only learnt the novel Dear Mr Kilmer in January 2020 and
only did a few guided practices and two tests based on the novel, it
is not surprising that some of you had a few issues in answering the
question recently.
• Generally, you did your best but as a teacher, it is my responsibility
to highlight certain weaknesses exhibited in your responses.
• It is my ultimate hope, the following comments, tips and guidelines
will be helpful to my pupils.
TIPS ON TO HOW TO ANALYSE THE QUESTION
CRITICALLY:
 
1.Read the question and underline the keywords. “Write
about a character who proves that determination helps
to achieve his/her dream.”
2.All pupils chose Richard as the character; a perfect
choice. Most pupils were able to write about Richard’s
determination. HOWEVER, MAJORITY OF THE
PUPILS FAILED TO UNDERSTAND THE WORD
“DREAM”.
TIPS ON TO HOW TO ANALYSE THE
QUESTION CRITICALLY:
3. When you examine the keyword which is a noun,
determine whether the word is singular or plural. The
word “DREAM” refers to Richard’s dream.
4. Then, ask yourself, “What does dream refer to?”.
Dream in this context refers to Richard’s vision,
wish, desire, hope, expectation, intention, aim or
target.
TIPS ON TO HOW TO ANALYSE THE QUESTION
CRITICALLY:
 
5. Please understand that the question wants you to write
about Richard who is determined and because of his
determination he can achieve his ONE dream (vision, wish,
desire, hope, expectation, intention, aim or target)
6. Therefore, if you include more than a dream in your
response, it shows your failure to read, examine and
understand the question.
TIPS ON TO HOW TO ANALYSE THE QUESTION CRITICALLY:
 
7. Before you decide which ONE DREAM you want to write about, please
list down Richard’s dreams (visions, wishes, desires, hopes, expectations,
intentions, aims or targets) that you know. For examples:
•Richard strongly wishes to always do the right thing in his life.
•Richard dreams of holding firm to his principle in life.
•Richard dreams of developing his talent to write poetry.
•Richards dreams or aims to befriend Hannah without any prejudice.
•Richard dreams or hopes to be determined in facing challenges in his life.
•Richard has a strong desire to support his friend, Hannah no matter what
happens.
TIPS ON TO HOW TO ANALYSE THE QUESTION
CRITICALLY:
 
8. Choose ONE of the above dreams and decide which
incidents can be used as pieces of evidence to support it.
 
9. The chosen dream should be the focus of your response.
Highlight the focus by repeating it whenever and wherever
necessary.
TIPS ON TO HOW TO ANALYSE THE
QUESTION CRITICALLY:
 
10. Tie your content (point/idea), evidence and opinion
to the focus of the question. Refer to the model answer
below.
 
11.  Plan well and write your response. Refer to the
model answer below
MODEL ANSWER:
 
The novel Dear Mr Kilmer is worth reading. The novel highlights many crucial themes
and determination is one of them. The main character, Richard proves
that determination helps him to achieve his dream, hope or wish that is to do the right
thing in life all the time.
 
Firstly, Richard’s determination helps him to save innocent wildlife. In Chapter 1, Richard
goes hunting with his father and brother, Gus. His father expects Richard to get his first hunt
with success. When they are near a creek, a buck appears to drink water. It is about 50 feet from
Richard. Richard hesitantly raises his rifle and aims towards the buck. Richard believes
in doing the right thing that is not to shoot the buck, thus he purposely delays in pulling the
trigger and finally misses the shot. His determination to save the buck’s life helps him
to achieve his dream. Richard’s brother scolds him and his father is disappointed for his failure
to shoot the animal. In my opinion, we must always try to do the right thing even though our
action may not be liked by others.
 
Secondly, we can see Richard’s success in doing the right thing that is to
support Hannah when she is down. One day, the tavern which belongs to the
Schermers is vandalised and Mrs Hansen asks her pupils to sign the
sympathy card which will be sent to Hannah. The card is passed around in
class but in the end nobody signs it except Richard.
Richard’s determination is clearly seen here as he does not care what his
classmates would say or do to him. All he cares is to do the right thing that
is to sign the card and comfort Hannah. Once again Richard proves
his determination when he offers to deliver the card personally to Hannah
at her house. Richard has only one dream or hope that is to express his
sympathy to Hannah and her family. In my opinion, it is important for us to
be determined in doing the right thing even though we have to face
challenges.
 
 
Finally, Richard’s determination has helped him to achieve his dream of doing the right
thing when he rejects his role as a Doughboy. One day, Mrs Hansen organises a patriotic
programme to raise fund for war. By winning the essay writing competition, both Richard and
Hannah are the given the roles of Doughboy and Lady Liberty respectively. However, the other
pupils, together with the members of the society are angry when Hannah is chosen for the role.
Finally, Hannah rejects her roles as she does not want to create any more troubles. Richard
is determined to defend Hannah up to the extent he is willing to reject his role as a Doughboy.
Richard wants to do the right thing that is not to practise prejudice and support his friend
Hannah no matter what happens. Obviously his determination helps him to achieve what he
wants or dreams of. Personally, I believe, having strong determination is crucial in achieving
our dream as it will give us inner strength to face all the obstacles.
 
In conclusion, no doubt Richard is a determined character and it is his determination helps
him to achieve his dream or what he wishes to do in his life.
THE END