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The Chalengges of Growing Up: Dear Mr. Kilmer - Theme
The Chalengges of Growing Up: Dear Mr. Kilmer - Theme
KILMER – THEME
THE CHALENGGES OF GROWING UP Some of the characters make sacrifices in their own way
throughout the course of the story.
Richard has problems fitting in with society. He likes to be Angie sacrifices her education I order to take care of her
alone and daydream rather than play games. family after her mother’s death. She as much higher
Richard had little chances of communicating with Pa who responsibilities
is often silent and reserved. Hannah sacrifices her role as Lady Liberty in order to keep
Besides that, the talented and perceptive Richard has the peace in her community.
doubts about his ‘hidden poetic talent’. It makes him and Roland Knight and Kilmer made the ultimate sacrifice.
oddball who feels ‘alone even when I’m around other They both lose their lives in the war while serving their
people’ (p.27). country.
Another challenge faced by Richard is his relationship
with Hannah, which cause him to be taunted as a ‘Hun PEER PRESSURE
Lover’. Turtle Lake is a small town whose residents mainly consist
of farmers. As such, the people have set ideas on what is
PREJUDICE AND DISCRIMINATION considered acceptable behavior.
After America goes to war against the Germans, a For example, boys are expected to participate in hunting
majority of the community in Turtle Lake are unable to and sports. Therefore, when Richard admits that he does
accept the Schermers living in the neighbourhood. not like hunting, his father is disappointed.
Their tavern is vandalized by the locals and Hannah is When Richard stands up for Hannah, he is called a traitor.
bullied and ridiculed in school.
THE EFFECTS OF WAR
LOVE, UNDERSTANDING AND FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS The story is set during World War 1 and the effects of war
are portrayed significantly in the novel.
Though often taken for granted by Pa and Gus, Angie
Loss if lives – many people die during the war and many
proves to be the ‘heart’ of the family – loving,
children grow up without parents. Kilmer too loses his life
compassionate and non-judgemental. Richard is able to
in battle.
find some comfort and safety with Angie in the kitchen War creates hatred and prejudice which divides people,
whenever he feels left out by Pa and Gus (p.16). nations and countries at large.
After Richard’s poetic tribute to Kilmer is published in the
local paper. Pa relates ‘A world is gone!’ to when Roland CULTURAL IDENTITY
was killed in the Cuban War.
The Schermer’s family, in contrast, is a more balanced and Despite having lived in America for many years, the
happy one. There is joy, laughter, communication, music, Schermers retain their cultural identity.
singing, books, and literature in their home. Richard finds While they are loyal Americans citizens, at home they still
their home and ‘oasis’ after the silence of his own family. speak German, eat German food and listen to German
songs.
PATRIOTISM This suggests that one’s culture will always be a part of
As the country goes to war, the spirit of patriotism runs one’s identity, regardless of where one lives.
high and the people demonstrate their loyalty to the
country in many ways.
Many young men volunteer to serve the country including
THE CHALENGGES OF GROWING UP
Mr. Kilmer, Otto and Gus.
Those who do not go to war show their support by Richard has problems fitting in with society. He likes to be
rationing their meals, buying Liberty Bonds and alone and daydream rather than play games.
organizing programs to help the war effort. Richard had little chances of communicating with Pa who
is often silent and reserved.
SACRIFICE
DEAR MR. KILMER – THEME
Besides that, the talented and perceptive Richard has Hannah sacrifices her role as Lady Liberty in order to keep
doubts about his ‘hidden poetic talent’. It makes him and the peace in her community.
oddball who feels ‘alone even when I’m around other Roland Knight and Kilmer made the ultimate sacrifice.
people’ (p.27). They both lose their lives in the war while serving their
Another challenge faced by Richard is his relationship country.
with Hannah, which cause him to be taunted as a ‘Hun
Lover’. PEER PRESSURE
Turtle Lake is a small town whose residents mainly consist
PREJUDICE AND DISCRIMINATION of farmers. As such, the people have set ideas on what is
After America goes to war against the Germans, a considered acceptable behavior.
majority of the community in Turtle Lake are unable to For example, boys are expected to participate in hunting
accept the Schermers living in the neighbourhood. and sports. Therefore, when Richard admits that he does
Their tavern is vandalized by the locals and Hannah is not like hunting, his father is disappointed.
bullied and ridiculed in school. When Richard stands up for Hannah, he is called a traitor.
SACRIFICE
Some of the characters make sacrifices in their own way
throughout the course of the story.
Angie sacrifices her education I order to take care of her
family after her mother’s death. She as much higher
responsibilities