DEARMRKILMER

The Knight family, which consists of

Mr. Knight and his three children Gus,
Angie and Richard, is a farming family
living in a small district in Turtle Lake,
Iowa, USA in 1917.
The novel centred on Richard, a
fifteen-year-old boy, who begins a
correspondence with a poet, Joyce Kilmer,
while Mr. Kilmer is serving the country
during World War I.
Richard is a budding poet himself but
is unable to get the encouragement he
needs from his family. Richards father is a
good, hardworking farmer but he is very
reserved and hardly shares his feelings
with his children. Furthermore, Gus and
Angie do not understand poetry and think
that Richard is odd.
One day, Mrs Hansen, Richards
English teacher, reads a poem by Mr
Kilmer in class. While the other boys feel
that the poetry is boring and meant for
sissies, Richard is inspired by the beauty
of the poem, Mrs Hansen further explain
that Mr Kilmer is a brave and patriotic
man as he has volunteered to be a soldier
to fight in the war. Richards admiration
for the poet compels him to write a latter to
Mr Kilmer and thus begins their
correspondence.
During the war, Richard takes solace
in his friendship with Hannah and the
letters from Mr Kilmer. Through his
letters, Mr Kilmer encourages Richard to
continue writing poems and not to keep
this talent a secret. Richard finally
manages to read his poem in class, gaining
the admiration and respect of most of his
fellow classmates.
One day, Richard hears the dreadful
news that Mr Kilmer has been killed in
battle. In his grief, Richard writes a poem
in Mr Kilmers memory. The Schermers,
who have always been supportive of his
talent, suggest that Richard send his poem
to The Turtle Lake Weekly, a local
newspaper, in the hope that it gets
published. Later, the paper carries an
obituary for Mr Kilmer along with a
special section with Richards poem.

After reading the poem, Richards

father is finally able to open up and share
his sadness of having lost his brother,
Roland, in the war several years ago. The
poem enables father and son to have a
closer bond.

TIME SETTING

** The story is set during World War 1.The

story begins in February 1917 and ends in
November 1918
DEAR MR. KILMER (FORM 5)
Main Character
Richard Knight

Courageous
-send card to Hannah and having fight
with Abner and Harry

Diligent and Helpful

-He always helps Pa in farm and Angie
in the kitchen doing the house chores.
Selfless
-turn down the role after Hannah

Sensitive
-Could not kill the buck even having a
chance to do it.

Mature,Open Minded
-does not side with people who disturb
Hannah

Poetic
-borrow book from Mrs Hansen
-write poems and keep it in drawer
Quiet
-Loves being alone and does not like
to talk too much.

Hannah Schermers

Patient
-still strong even when her tavern had
been vandalised
Intelligent
-always helping Richard with good
ideas and suggestions to complete his
poem.

Appreciative
-thanked Richard for sending her the
sympathy card

Generous and Kind Hearted

-She bakes cookies for Mr Kilmer
-Invited Richard for supper

Pa
Secretive
-Pa didnt tell his children about his
brother Roland.

Understanding
-He didnt get angry and asked Richard
the reason why he didnt kill the buck
Responsible
-He took care of Gus,Angie and
Richard alone after his wife died.

Loving
-He didnt let his son Gus to join the
army training

Minor Character

Gus
Adventurous
-desperately wants to join the war
without discussing with Pa because he
didnt like to do farming
-likes to go hunting

Impatient
-cannot wait to join the army training

Stubborn
-disobeys Pa because he wants to join
the war.

Brotherly
-asked Richard to fit in with the
community so he will not be isolated by
them.

Boastful
-always teases Richard and tells him of
his awesomeness
Mr Kilmer

Understanding
-he understands Richards feelings and
feels awkward when communicating
by writing letters.

Helpful
-give Richard advice and motivation
through letter

Patriotic
-joined the war even though he is a
famous poet.

Poetic
-writes numerous poems.One of his
famous poem is Tree.

Mrs Hansen

Patriotic
-put up a sale and play to finance the
war

Supportive
-urges Richard to read his poem in
front of the class.

Tolerant
-do not angry when Hannah and
Richard turned down the role

Creative
-support Hannah with giving a
sympathy card.

Angie
Hardworking
-doing all the house chores by himself
without complaining

Loving
-continuing her mother role after her
mother death and she realising that no
one will take care of her family

Mr Schermers and Mrs Schermers

Mr Kilmer is an optimist while his wife
opposite

Intelligence and Cultured

Themes

Fillial Love
-Gus loves Richard his brother, he
advises him to fit in with their
community so that he will not be
isolated by them
-Pa still cant forget his brother Roland
after the war with Spain in Cuba
-Richard loves Angie. He helps her
doing the house chores like washing
the dishes at the kitchen

Patriotic Spirit
-Mr Kilmer joined the war eventhough
he is a famous poet because he hopes
that he can end the war so that the
next generation will not be involved
with this unnecessary war.
-Mrs Hansen does many programmes
by selling the Liberty Bond to finance
the war.
-The Schermers ration their food by
eating small pieces of meat as a
symbol of their symphathy for allies
who are fighting in the war.
Dear Mr Kilmer Form 5 SPM Sample
Answers
Please refer to:
1. Dear Mr Kilmer Important Event
Notes
2. Dear Mr Kilmer Exam Practices

Question 1 (SPM 2007)

It is important to have a person you look
up to in your life.
From the novel that you have read, write
about one character that you look up to.
Give reasons why you choose him/her.

Sample answer
The novel that I read was Dear Mr Kilmer by

Firstly, he loved animals. This was shown wh

misfired. Richards father, Pa, was also disappoint
hunting anymore if he did not like it.

Secondly, Richard was kind. One day, Mrs Han

what had happened. The troublemakers like Abner
Blanche would not speak to them. However, Rich
reluctantly. Later, Hannah apologised to Richard f
Thirdly, Richard was brave. This was shown w
about Mr Kilmer when Richards English teacher,
asked for Mr Kilmers advice. He wanted to know
around him. Nobody was interested when Richa
read his poems. Nobody was interested. Richard w
Hansen that he wrote poetry. He showed her Mr K
his classmates, including Blanche and Peggy, were

In conclusion, I admired and respected Richard

 Question 2 (SPM 2008)
Using the details from the novel that you
have studied,
Describe what happens at the end of the
novel.
Explain why you find the
ending either happy or sad.

Sample answer
The novel that I read was Dear Mr Kilmer by

Richard Knight had a secret. Nobody knew tha

Trees by Joyce Kilmer. Mr Kilmer was a famou
secret to everybody. A few days later, Richard rece
Mr Kilmers letter and his secret. Gus did not beli

One day, Richard received a bad news about M

the local newspaper, The Turtle Lake Weekly. R
to Richards uncle, Roland. His father never told R
poems about farm life for the local newspaper. Ric
passion in writing poetry.
 In conclusion, the ending of this story was trul

Question 3 (SPM 2009)

Using the details from the novel that
you have studied, write about a
difficult decision made by one of the
characters.
With close reference to the text, do you
think this was the right decision?
Sample answer
The novel that I studied was Dear Mr Kilmer

Richard Knight had a secret. Nobody knew tha

Trees by Joyce Kilmer. Mr Kilmer was a famou
secret to everybody.

A few days later, Richard received a letter from

letter and his secret. Gus did not believe that Mr K
 The next day, Richard told Mrs Hansen that he
and his poem with the class. Some of his classmat

In conclusion, Richard was a brave boy when h

Question 4 (SPM 2012)

Based on the novel you have studied, write
about an event that makes you angry?
With close reference to the text, give
reasons why the event makes you feel this
way.

Sample answer
The novel that I studied was Dear Mr Kilmer

Firstly, I was angry because some Turtle Lake

Huns were a barbaric clan originated from German

Secondly, I was angry because Richards classm

troublemakers like Abner, Harry, Blanche and Peg
them. However, Richard was the only student who
Richard for being rude. This was the beginning of

In conclusion, the event where the Schermers w

Question 5 (SPM 2015 Similar to

SPM 2007)
Suggest one character in the novel you
have read who you think is agood role
model for teenagers.
Briefly describe the character and give
reasons for your choice with close
reference to the text.

Sample answer
The novel that I read was Dear Mr Kilmer by
penpal and Hannahs best friend. He loved poetry.

Firstly, he was kind. One day, Mrs Hansen ask

happened. The troublemakers like Abner, Harry, B
would not speak to them. However, Richard was
Later, Hannah apologised to Richard for being rud
Secondly, Richard was brave. This was shown
English teacher, Mrs Hansen read a poem to the cl
wanted to know whether he should tell his secret t
when Richard told his family about Mr Kilmer
interested. Richard was sad. Gus advised Richard

Thirdly, he was supportive. Hannah and Richa

sell Liberty bonds. Many students were angry whe
more problems. So she declined the role of Lady L
unpatriotic and a traitor. These criticisms never sto
 In conclusion, Richard was a good role model

Question 6 (SBP Trial 2016)

Which character in the novel do
you sympathize with? Explain whyyou
sympathize with this character with close
reference to the text.

Sample answer
 The novel that I read was Dear Mr Kilmer by

Firstly, her schoolmates called her Dirty Hun

spoke German and served Hun food at their tavern

Secondly, her parents tavern was vandalised. T

warned other classmates not to sign the card. The
Hannah Schermer.

Thirdly, people unfairly denied her role as Lad

Many students were angry when Hannah won the
change her mind. Hannah told Richard that her ess

In conclusion, although Hannah Schermer and

Question 7 (Kedah Trial 2016)

It is important to stand up for what is right.
Discuss how this is portrayed in the novel
you have read.
Sample answer
The novel that I read was Dear Mr Kilmer by

Firstly, this statement was portrayed when Rich

Richards father, Pa, was also disappointed with R
anymore if he did not like it. Even though Pa disag

Secondly, this statement was portrayed when R

Abner, Harry, Blanche and Peggy refused to sign t
Richard was the only student who signed the symp

Thirdly, this statement was portrayed when Ha

of the activities for a patriotic programme which h
a little war in Turtle lake. She did not want to caus
criticized him for turning down his role. They call

In conclusion, Richard was truly a character w

Question 8 (N9 Trial 2016)
People should be allowed to follow their
dreams.
Write about a character who wants to
realise his or her dream.

Sample answer
The novel that I read was Dear Mr Kilmer

Richard Knight had a secret. Nobody knew tha

Trees by Joyce Kilmer. Mr Kilmer was a famou
secret to everybody. A few days later, Richard rece
Mr Kilmers letter and his secret. Gus did not beli

One day, Richard received a bad news about M

the local newspaper, The Turtle Lake Weekly. R
to Richards uncle, Roland. His father never told R
poems about farm life for the local newspaper. Ric
passion in writing poetry.

In conclusion, Richard faced many obstacles in

Question 9 (Kelantan Trial 2016)

Family supports family.
With close reference to the text, how far is
this true of the novel you have studied?

Sample answer
The novel that I read was Dear Mr Kilmer by

Richard Knight had a secret. Nobody knew tha

Trees by Joyce Kilmer. Mr Kilmer was a famou
secret to everybody. A few days later, Richard rece
Mr Kilmers letter and his secret. Gus did not beli
 One day, Richard received a bad news about M
the local newspaper, The Turtle Lake Weekly. R
to Richards uncle, Roland. His father never told R
poems about farm life for the local newspaper. Ric
passion in writing poetry.

In conclusion, the bond in a family strengthene

Question 10 (Pulau Pinang Trial 2016)

The main character is a strong-willed
person. How is this shown in the novel?
Support your answer with close reference
to the text.

Sample answer
 The novel that I read was Dear Mr Kilmer by

Richard Knight had a secret. Nobody knew tha

Trees by Joyce Kilmer. Mr Kilmer was a famou
secret to everybody. A few days later, Richard rece
Mr Kilmers letter and his secret. Gus did not beli

One day, Richard received a bad news about M

the local newspaper, The Turtle Lake Weekly. R
to Richards uncle, Roland. His father never told R
poems about farm life for the local newspaper. Ric
passion in writing poetry.

In conclusion, the bond in a family strengthene