THEMES Responsibility , Courage / being brave Being kind and concerned and thoughtful War and its effects, Sacrifice and patriotism Family love, Having high principles Discrimination, Determination and perseverance
MORAL VALUES 1. We must be responsible. 2. We must be kind, concerned and thoughtful. 3. We must be helpful. 4. We must be tolerant to avoid war. 5. We must be protective. 6. We must be fair and objective. 7. We must not discriminate against anyone for any reason. 8. We must be hardworking and determined. 9. We must be sensitive and compassionate. 10. We must be courageous / brave. 11. We must be patriotic and sacrifice for our country. 12. We must be determined and persevere to achieve success.
CHARACTERS AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS
1. Richards father - Protective, kind, fair - Unfair and discriminating - Sensitive and practical - Understanding 2. Gus Knight - Obedient and tries to make his father proud - Brave, hard-hearted and acts fast - Likes outdoor life and sports, sociable and popular - Rude and boastful 3. Richard Knight - Does not like outdoor life and keeps to himself - Honest, gentle, sensitive and compassionate, loves nature - Concerned, kind and thoughtful - Strong, brave, fair and believes in his principles - Helpful, responsible and hardworking - Knowledgeable, determined to be a famous poet - Afraid of his father 4. Mrs Hansen - Richards English teacher - Responsible and dedicated - Firm, brave and sticks to her principles - Thoughtful, kind, fair and determined 5. Mr Kilmer - Kind, thoughtful and helpful - Brave, patriotic and selfless - Sensitive and appreciates nature 6. Hannah Schermer - Sensitive, easily hurt - Mature, thoughtful, rational, selfless 7. Johann and Frieda Schermer - Hannahs father and mother - Warm, caring and understanding - Patriotic - Kind and thoughtful 8. Abner Lewis, Harry Carver, Peggy Mason , Blanche Freebold - The troublemakers in the class - Rude, mean, narrow-minded and unfair
GIVE EVIDENCE FROM THE NOVEL TO SUPPORT YOUR
ANSWER For example : If we say Richard is concerned, kind and thoughtful. Evidence : a) He sympathizes with his sister as she is always tired. He realizes that she has sacrificed a lot for them but his father and brother take her for granted. After their mother died when she was nine, she quit school and took over the job of a full-time farm woman. b) When Mrs Hansen wants the class to sign a card to express regret over what has happened to Hannahs tavern, the troublemakers refuse to sign it. Richard is disgusted that they pick on her and her family because they speak German and sing German songs. He put himself in Hannahs place and thinks how he would feel if his family were picked on, so he bravely signs the card.
c) Since Gus enlisted and left for training, Richard has
not been happy working with his father because he is silent and bitter. Richard is worried about him and confides in Angie. He says his father should talk about his pain and problems, but she thinks their father is worried about Gus and he is not the talking type.
