DEAR MR. KILMER – THEME
THE CHALENGGES OF GROWING UP •
•
•
•
Richard has problems ftting in with society. He likes to be alone and daydream rather than play games. Richard had little chances o communicating with Pa who is oten silent and reserved. Besides that, the talented and perceptive Richard has doubts about his ‘hidden poetic talent. !t makes him and oddball who eels ‘alone even when !m around other people "p.#$%. ¬her challenge aced by Richard is his relationship with Hannah, which cause him to be taunted as a ‘Hun 'over.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
PREJUDICE AND DISCRIMINATION &ter &merica goes to war against the (ermans, a ma)ority o the community in *urtle 'ake are unable to accept the +chermers living in the neighbourhood. *heir tavern is vandalied vandalied by the locals and Hannah is bullied and ridiculed in school. LOVE, UNDERSTANDING AND FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
•
•
•
*hough oten oten taken or granted by Pa and and (us, &ngie proves to be the ‘heart o the amily loving, compassionate and non)udgemental. non)udgemental. Richard is able to fnd some comort and saety with &ngie in the kitchen whenever he eels let out by Pa and (us "p./0%. &ter Richards poetic tribute to 1ilmer is published in the local paper. Pa relates ‘& world is gone2 to when Roland was killed in the 3uban 4ar. *he +chermers +chermers amily, in contrast, is a more balanced and happy one. *here is )oy, laughter, communication, music, singing, books, and literature in their home. Richard fnds their home and ‘oasis ater the silence o his own amily.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
SACRIFICE +ome o the characters make sacrifces in their own way throughout the course o the story. &ngie sacrifces her education ! order to take care o her amily ater her mothers death. +he as much higher responsibilities Hannah sacrifces her role as 'ady 'iberty in order to keep the peace in her community. Roland 1night and 1ilmer made the ultimate sacrifce. *hey both lose their lives in the war while serving their country. PEER PRESSURE *urtle *urtle 'ake is a small town town whose residents residents mainly consist o armers. &s such, the people have set ideas on what is considered acceptable behavior. 8or e9ample, boys are e9pected to participate in hunting and sports. *hereore, when Richard admits that he does not like hunting, his ather is disappointed. 4hen Richard stands up or Hannah, he is called a traitor. THE EFFECTS OF WAR *he story is set during 4orld 4orld 4ar 4ar / and the e7ects o war are portrayed signifcantly in the novel. 'oss i lives - many people die during the war and many children grow up without parents. 1ilmer too loses his lie in battle. 4ar creates hatred and pre)udice which divides people, nations and countries at large. CULTURAL CULTURAL IDENTITY
•
PATRIOTISM &s the country goes to war, the spirit o patriotism runs high and the people demonstrate their loyalty to the country in many ways.
5any young men volunteer to serve the country including 5r. 1ilmer, 6tto and (us. *hose who do not go to war war show their their support by rationing their meals, buying 'iberty Bonds and organiing programmes to help the war e7ort.
•
:espite having lived in &merica or many years, the +chermers retain their cultural identity. 4hile they are loyal &mericans citiens, at home they still speak (erman, eat (erman ood and listen to (erman songs. Prepared by; P6R+H6*H5&< ='=<((6>=< +5?1 3hung Hua
DEAR MR. KILMER – THEME •
*his suggests that ones culture will always be a part o ones identity, regardless o where one lives.
Prepared by; P6R+H6*H5&< ='=<((6>=< +5?1 3hung Hua
