Question 33.

DMK – “One must have passion to improve one’s life”

With close reference to the text, how far is this true of the novel you have read?

Introduction From the novel that I read, Dear Mr. Kilmer by Anne Schraff, it is true that
people with passion can improve his or her life. It is shown/portrayed
throughout the novel in some characters and events.
“One must have
passion to improve
one’s life”
How it is shown in - Richard was a passionate poet.
the novel? - He exchanged letters with Mr. Kilmer who joined the army.
(give evidence) - Through the letter, Richard had a lot of advices and
(elaborate a lil’ bit) suggestions about life and improve his poem
(give your view/link - From this event, we know that passion led Richard to be a
with the question) better poet with the help from Mr. Kilmer.
- Mr. Kilmer was the one who gave Richard strength to keep
writing poem.
- Therefore, it is true that a person must have passion to
improve his/her life.
- Richard and Hannah Schermer were best friend.
- Hannah knew Richard’s passion towards poetry and they
somehow shared the same passion as Hannah’s parents were
very interested to literature.
- Hannah helped Richard by giving some advices to improve his
poem.
- Mr. and Mrs. Schermer praised Richard after he recited his
poem after a dinner at the Schermer’s house.
- This led to Richard’s poem was published in the newspaper.
- This shows that Richard’s passion of writing poem has made
him a better poet.
- Due to this, it is true that a person must have passion to
improve his/her life.
- 1. Richard and Hannah
The incident that shows the one must have passion to improve
one’s life is when Mrs.Hansen asked her class to sign the
sympathy card for the Schermers. Someone vandalised the
tavern owned by Hannah’s parents. Mrs. Hansen brought a
card to express regret for what had happened. Abner, Harry,
Blanche and Peggy refused to sign the card and warned other
classmates not to sign the card. However, Richard was the only
one who signed the sympathy card for Hannah Schermer. This
event shows that Richard tried passionately to comfort
Hannah and her family. This is why one must have passion to
improve one’s life where Hannah apologised to Richard for
being rude and this led to the beginning of their friendship.
- Richard is a passionate poet.
- It is shown when he wrote poems even though people around
him did not support him.
- His life was improved when his poem was published in the
Turtle Lake Weekly.
- After that, Pa started to support him.
- Knowing that Richard was a passionate poet, Pa gave Richard
suggestions and helped Richard to become a better poet.
- This incident had improved his life because his family started
to understand and even helped him in writing poems.
Ending In conclusion, a person with passion can improve his/her life and it is
shown in certain events in the novel. To me, having a passion in life can
boost our will power to improve our life to be a better person.