CAPTAIN NOBODY by Dean Pitchford

IMPORTANT EVENTS:

1. Newt gets the bass drum for Cecil. (page 81 – 84)

2. Newt helps Mr Clay find his way home. (page 86-88)
3. Newts accidentally stops a robbery at the Sullivan’s Jewelry Store.
(page 104 – 110)
4. Newt saves Ferocious the Ferret at Westside Highway. (from being knocked
down) (page 128 – 133)
5. Newt saves Reggie Ratner from the Appleton water tower. (page 152 – 168)
6. Newt transforms into Captain Nobody.
The impact after Newt transforms into Captain Nobody OR
Problems / obstacles / difficulties Newt overcome after he becomes Captain Nobody

1. Newt gets a big bass drum for Cecil from a Dumpster.

This incident happens in the afternoon. When Newt is going home from school. Cecil calls him from
Kander Street through a walkie-talkie. Cecil asks Newt to help him get a big bass drum from the top of
a Dumpster. Cecil’s dream is to have a drum. He climbs to the top of the mountain of trash although he
is scared of height. Cecil convinces Newt that Captain Nobody is the only one who can do the job.
When Newt is on the top of the dumpster, he stands up. Then, he becomes panic. He drops to his
hands and knees, panting furiously. However, after thinking about his beloved friend, Cecil, who is a
loves music and as Captain Nobody, he has to help his friend. Newt tries to calm himself down. Newt
is determined to help his friend and make his friend’s wish come true although he is scared of height. It
is a hard work but Newt finally manages to get the drum and then he slowly eases it down to Cecil. He
succeeds in making Cecil, happy although he risks his own life.

From this incident, we can see that Newt is successful to get the drum for Cecil although he has acrophobia. In
my opinion, we will be able to overcome our difficulties/problems/obstacles and complete our mission/ achieve
our goal/dream if we are determined to achieve it like Newt does.

WORDS / PHRASES MEANING

dumpster tempat pembuangan sampah
incidents/events peristiwa
call memanggil
ask meminta
dream cita-cita
climb memanjat
mountain of trash timbunan sampah
drops to his hands and knees jatuh tersungkur
panting furiously tercungap-cungap (bernafas dengan kuat)
beloved friend sahabat/kawan yang disayangi
tries to calm himself down cuba menenangkan dirinya sendiri
Newt finally manages to get the drum Newt akhirnya berjaya mendapatkan ‘drum’ tersebut
determined bersungguh-sungguh
scared of height/acrophobia takut dengan ketinggian
hard work kerja yang sukar
eases it down to Cecil menggelongsorkannya ke bawah
succeeds berjaya
he risks his own life dia menggadaikan nyawanya sendiri
difficulties/problems/obstacles kesukaran
complete our mission/ achieve our goal/dream merealisasikan cita-cita / mencapai impian/misi

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 2. Newt helps Mr Clay find his way home
This is shown when Newt and Cecil are on their way back after getting the bass drum. They
meet Mr. Clay, a former locksmith, who has lost his way. Mr Clay has dementia. He has lost
his way and is out of his medicine. Newt introduces himself as Captain Nobody and he helps
him find his way home. Newt holds Mr. Clay’s hand and walks him the six blocks to his house.
Newt dares to look at Mr. Clay while talking to him although before he was scared to talk to
adults. As Captain Nobody, Newt dares to talk to Mr. Clay in the eye and helps him find his way
home. When Newt and Cecil reach Mr Clay’s home, his wife, Mrs Clay is standing at the front
door. She is thankful that her husband has finally come home. Mr Clay tells Mrs Clay that
Captain Nobody has rescued and helped him find his way home.

From the incident, it is clear that Newt manages to overcome low self-esteem problem by being Captain
Nobody. In my opinion, Newt has done several good deeds as Captain Nobody to hide his inner self
problem. Briefly, we should also do something to help people in need and gain more confidence to
overcome our own problem.

WORDS / PHRASES MEANING

when Newt and Cecil are on their way back after
getting the bass drum
a former locksmith
who has lost his way
Newt introduces himself as Captain Nobody and
he helps him find his way home.
Newt dares to look at Mr. Clay while talking to
him although before he was scared to talk to
adults.
As Captain Nobody, Newt dares to talk to Mr.
Clay in the eye
Newt holds Mr. Clay’s hand and walks him the
six blocks to his house.
When Newt and Cecil reach Mr Clay’s home, his
wife, Mrs Clay is standing at the front door
waiting for her husband.
She is thankful that her husband has finally
come home.
Mr Clay tells Mrs Clay that Captain Nobody has
rescued and helped him find his way home.
apabila Newt dan Cecil dalam perjalanan pulang
selepas mendapatkan “bass drum”
seorang bekas pembuat kunci
yang telah tersesat
Newt memperkenalkan dirinya sebagai Captain
Nobody dan menolong Mr Clay pulang ke rumahnya.
Newt berani memandang Mr Clay semasa dia
bercakap dengannya walaupun sebelum itu Newt
takut untuk bercakap dengan orang dewasa.
Sebagai Captain Nobody, Newt berani bertentang
mata dengan Mr Clay.
Newt memimpin Mr Clay sepanjang 6 deretan
bangunan untuk pulang ke rumahnya (rumah Mr
Clay).
Apabila Newt dan Cecil sampai ke rumah Mr Clay,
isterinya sedang berdiri di muka pintu menunggu
kepulangan suaminya.
Dia (Mrs Clay) berasa lega kerana suaminya pulang
ke rumah akhirnya.
Mr Clay memberitahu isterinya bahawa Captain
Nobody telah menyelamatkannya and menolongnya
pulang ke rumah.

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 3. Newt accidentally stops a robbery at the Sullivan’s Jewelry Store.

One day, after school, JJ calls Newt telling him that she has emergency. She asks Newt to meet her
in front of Sullivan’s Jewelry Store at Duncan Street. Newt runs there because JJ screams over the
walkie-talkie. But when meeting JJ, he is angry. JJ is upset only because of a few grammatical errors
on Sullivans’ window store. As Captain Nobody, Newt follows JJ’s request. Newt bravely enters the
store to see Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan. He does not know that there is a robber with a gun frightening the
Sullivans in the store. Newt meets Mrs. Sullivan’s eyes while talking to her. He confidently tells the
Sullivans about the spelling and punctuation errors on the signs displayed in their window store.
Accidentally Newt bravery attempt in correcting the grammatical errors, he has saved the Sullivans’
lives and helped them from being robbed. Because of Newt’s brave action, Mr Sullivan manages to
press the alarm button and calls the police. Despite the hectic incident, the robber takes the opportunity
to grab all the jewellery into his arms. Unfortunately he fails to run away with the jewelleries after he
bumps into Newt and they both fall onto the floor in his attempt to run away with it.

From the incident, we can see that Newt has managed to overcome his low self-esteem when facing adults. We
can take Newt as a role model to teenagers. As Captain Nobody, we have to be brave to overcome our
weaknesses/difficulties and determined to achieve our goal/dream. In this incident, besides being brave to tell the
Sullivans about the grammatical errors, Captain Nobody accidentally prevents a robbery from happening.

WORDS / PHRASES MEANING

rob
robber
robbery
telling him that she has emergency
jewelry store
Newt runs there because JJ screams over the
walkie-talkie
Newt follows JJ’s request
Newt bravely enters the store to see Mr. and
Mrs. Sullivan.
He does not know that there is a robber with a
gun frightening the Sullivans in the store
the spelling and punctuation errors on the signs
displayed in their window store
he has saved the Sullivans’ lives and helped
them from being robbed
Because of Newt’s brave action, Mr Sullivan
manages to press the alarm button and calls the
police
Despite the hectic incident, the robber takes the
opportunity to sweep all the jewellery into his
arms
Unfortunately, he fails to run away with the
jewelleries after he bumps into Newt and they
both fall onto the floor in his attempt to run away
with it.
a role model to teenagers
Newt has managed to overcome his low self-
esteem when facing adults.
Captain Nobody accidentally prevents a robbery
from happening
rompak
perompak
rompakan
memberitahu Newt yang dia mempunyai perkara
yang penting
kedai emas
Newt berlari ke sana kerana dia mendengar JJ
menjerit menerusi walkie-talkie
Newt memenuhi permintaan JJ
Dengan berani masuk ke dalam kedai untuk
berjumpa Mr and Mrs Sullivan.
Dia tidak tahu bahawa terdapat perompak
bersenjatakan pistol mengugut pasangan Sullivan di
dalam kedai.
kesalahan ejaan & tanda bacaan pada papan tanda
yang terpampang di tingkat kedai mereka
Dia (Newt) telah menyelamatkan nyawa pasangan
Sullivans dan menolong mereka daripada dirompak.
Disebablan keberanian tindakan Newt, Encik
Sullivan berjaya menekan butang kecemasan and
memanggil polis.
Walaupun dalam keadaan cemas, perompak
mengambil kesempatan tersebut untuk mengaut
kesemua barang kemas.
Malangnya perompak itu gagal melatikan barang
kemas yang diambilnya kerana dia bertembung
dengan Newt dan kedua-dua mereka jatuh ke lantai
semasa perompak itu cuba melarikan diri dengan
barang kemas tersebut.
model yang baik kepada remaja
Newt telah Berjaya mengatasi rasa rendah diri ketika
berdepan dengan orang dewasa.
Secara tidak sengaja, Newt berjaya menghalang
rompakan daripada berlaku.

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 4. Newt saves Ferocious the Ferret from an accident.

This is shown when Captain Nobody tries to save Ferocious the Ferret from an accident. On the way
home, Newt, Cecil and JJ meet Reggie’s cousin, Ricky Rather and his six friends who block their way.
Ferocious the Ferret runs away when its cage door is accidentally opened when Ricky Ratner and his
friends try to grab the cage from Newt’s arms. Ferocious runs wildly, so Newt, Cecil and JJ have to
chase after it. They chase after the ferret until they reach the Westside Highway. Unfortunately,
Ferocious runs into the middle of the busy highway and stops. Nobody is brave enough to go after it.
Newt is responsible to take care of the ferret. Newt runs to the middle of the road to save it. He risks
his life when he zigs and zags after Ferocious in the middle of the highway. He waves frantically and
screams ‘STOP’ at the incoming traffic. Finally, Newt manages to stop all the four lanes of the traffic on
the Westside Highway. Drivers are angry with Newt. Suddenly, an airplane makes an emergency
landing on the highway due to an engine trouble. Accidentally, he saves the passengers in the small
plane. Newt’s brave actions have become the headlines in the newspaper again after the incident at
Sullivan’s Jewelry Store. However, people still do not know who Captain Nobody really is.

In my opinion, we need to be brave if we are really responsible for something and determined to achieve our
goal/dream. In this incident, Newt is responsible to take care of Ferocious the Ferret, the Fillmore High School
mascot, for a night. Thus, he has to ensure that nothing bad happens to the ferret. Newt has shown his courage
and responsibility even though he has to endure all the challenges/difficulties/obstacles to the extent of risking his
life in order to keep Ferocious safe.

WORDS / PHRASES MEANING

On the way home, Newt, Cecil and JJ meet
Reggie’s cousin, Ricky Rather and his six friends
who block their way
Ferocious the Ferret runs away when its cage
door is accidentally opened when Ricky Ratner
and his friends try to grab the cage from Newt’s
arms.
Ferocious runs wildly so Newt, Cecil and JJ have
to chase after it.
They chase after the ferret until they reach the
Westside Highway
Unfortunately, Ferocious runs into the middle of
the busy highway and stops
Nobody is brave enough to go after it.
Newt risks his life
responsible to take care
he zigs and zags after Ferocious in the middle of
the highway
He waves frantically and screams ‘STOP’ at the
incoming traffic
Newt manages to stop all the four lanes of the
traffic
Suddenly, an airplane makes an emergency
landing.
engine trouble
passengers in an airplane
become the headlines in the newspaper
However, people still do not know who Captain
Nobody really is
Dalam perjalanan pulang ke rumah, Newt, Cecil dan
JJ bertembung dengan sepupu Reggie, Ricky Ratner
dan kawan-kawannya. Mereka menghalang Newt dan
rakan-rakanya daripada meneruskan perjalanan..
Ferocious the Ferret lari. keluar daripada sangkarnya
apabila pintu sangkarnya terbuka secara tidak sengaja
apabila Ricky dan rakan-rakanya cuba merampas
sangkar tersebut daripada tangan Newt.
Ferocious berlari laju tanpa arah tujuan menyebabkan
Newt, Cecil and JJ terpaksa mengejarnya.
Mereka mengejar ferret sehingga mereka sampai ke
Westside Hoghway.
Malangnya Ferocious terus berlari dan berhenti di
tengah-tengah lebuhraya.
Tiada siapapun yang berani mengejarnya lagi.
Newt mengambil risiko
bertanggungjawab menjaga
dia mengejar Ferocious secara “zig zag” untuk
mengelakkan kenderaan-kenderaan yang berada di
tengah-tengah lebuhraya
Dia melambaikan tangannya seperti orang gila and
menjerit “BERHENTI” untuk memberhentikan trafik
yang bertali arus.
Newt berjaya memberhentikan kesemua kenderaan di
ke-empat-empat simpang yang sibuk
Tiba-tiba sebuah kapal terbang membuat pendaratan
kecemasan.
masalah enjin
penumpang di dalam kapal terbang itu
menjadi tajuk utama akhbar
Orang ramai masih tidak mengetahui siapakah
Captain Nobody yang sebenar

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 5. When Newt climbs to the top of the water tower to save Reggie Ratner.

During his lunch break, Newt watches the afternoon news. It is about Reggie Ratner. He is on the
Appleton Water Tower, the tallest structure in town. It is reported that Reggie attempts to commit suicide
because he is depressed as people are blaming him for the Big Tackle incident until Chris, Newt’s
brother falls into coma. Newt knows the truth about the incident. He knows that Reggie is not guilty. He
quickly runs to the tower because he feels responsible to tell Reggie the truth. Although Newt is afraid
of height, he climbs the rickety ladder to the top of the tower to tell Reggie the truth about the
tackle incident. JJ and Cecil help Newt so that he can go up the tower. Newt faces difficulty while
climbing. His mask is caught on a nail and being ripped off his face. When he looks down, he feels
scared and decides to climb down. However, when he thinks about the lonely Reggie, he is determined
to continue his climb until the end. When he is on the top of the water tower, he has to slither his way
on the roof to reach Reggie. They both talk about the Big Tackle incident and Newt tells Reggie the
truth that he is not the one tackles Chris that has caused Chris to fall into a coma. The person
responsible is Darryl Peeps. Captain Nobody also learns that Reggie climbs the tower to paint the water
tank with Merrimac’s colours but unfortunately his foot is stuck. Newt helps Reggie untie his shoelace
and then both of them move on the roof towards the ladder. However, Newt faces trouble again when
the ladder he uses to climb down is not stable. As the ladder cannot take their weight, Newt asks Reggie
to wait until he reaches the ground. However, Reggie does not follow Newt’s suggestion. Reggie steps
on a broken piece of rung and hits Newt’s forehead. It makes Newt lose his balance and falls down from
the water tower on the airbag mattress. Unfortunately, the big Reggie Ratner falls on him. As a result,
Newt breaks his ankle and two ribs but Reggie Ratner is safe. All the actions are broadcasted through
the media and Appleton residents begin to know that Newt is the Captain Nobody. Captain Nobody is
called as a hero after the water tower incident. The media also reveal Captain Nobody’s other rescue
incidents. Form zero Newt has become a hero. Newt and his two friends, Cecil and JJ are able to ride
in Appleton Victory Parade that year.

From the incident, I believe that there is a reason for every important event that happens in our life. The event
has totally changed the life of Newt as Captain Nobody, from someone who lives in the shadow of his famous
brother to a well-known person for his good deeds and he manages to overcome his acrophobia to help others.

WORDS / PHRASES MEANING

During his lunch break, Newt watches the
afternoon news
He is on the Appleton Water Tower, the tallest
structure in town
It is reported that Reggie attempts to commit
suicide because he is depressed as people are
blaming him for the Big Tackle incident until
Chris, Newt’s brother falls into coma.
Newt knows the truth about the incident
guilty
He quickly runs to the tower because he feels
responsible to tell Reggie the truth.
Although Newt is afraid of height, he bravely
climbs the rickety ladder to the top of the tower to
tell Reggie the truth about the tackle incident.
Newt faces difficulty while climbing.
His mask is caught on a nail and being ripped off
his face.
When he looks down, he feels scared and
decides to climb down.
Semasa rehat untuk makan tengahari, Newt menonton
television.
Dia (Reggie) berada di atas Menara Air Appleton,
bangunan tertinggi dalam bandar. (Appleton)
Berita melaporkan bahawa Reggie cuba untuk
membunuh diri kerana tertekan dengan tuduhan orang
ramai terhadapnya semasa “Big Tackle incident”
sehingga menyebabkan Chris, abang Newt, koma.
Newt mengetahui tentang kejadian sebenar.
bersalah
Dengan sepantas kilat, Newtberlari ke menara
tersebut kerana dia rasa itu tanggungjawabnya untuk
memberitahu Reggie perkara yang sebenar.
Walaupun Newt takut dengan ketinggian, dengan
beraninya dia memanjat tangga yang tidak stabil itu
sehingga ke kemuncaknya semata-mata untuk
memberitahu Reggie tentang apa yang terjadi.
Newt menghadapi kesukaran semasa memanjat.
Topengnya yang tersangkut di paku dan koyak. Ia
menampakkan wajah Captain Nobody (Newt).
Apabila Newt memandang ke bawah, dia berasa takut
dan bercadang untuk turun.

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 However, when he thinks about the lonely
Reggie, he is determined to continue his climb
until the end.
When he is on the top of the water tower, he has
to slither his way on the roof to reach Reggie.
tackles
Reggie climbs the tower to paint the water tank
with Merrimac’s colours but unfortunately his foot
is stuck.
Newt helps Reggie untie his shoelace
and then both of them slither (move) on the roof
towards the ladder
As the ladder cannot take their weight, Newt asks
Reggie to wait until he reaches the ground
Reggie does not follow Newt’s suggestion
Reggie steps on a broken piece of rung and hits
Newt’s forehead.
It makes Newt lose his balance and falls down
from the water tower on the airbag mattress.
Newt breaks his ankle and two ribs
All the actions are broadcasted through the
media and Appleton residents begin to know that
Newt is the Captain Nobody.
Captain Nobody is called as a hero after the
water tower incident.
The media also expose Captain Nobody’s other
rescue incidents
Newt and his two friends, Cecil and JJ are
able to ride in Appleton Victory Parade that year.
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Walaubagaimanapun, apabila Newt memikirkan
tentang Reggie yang keseorangan, dia bersungguh-
sungguh meneruskan panjatannya sehingga sampai ke
kemuncak.
Apabila Newt berada di kemuncak menara air itu, dia
terpaksa menjalar sepanjang perjalanannya di atas
bumbung itu untuk sampai ke tempat Reggie.
menangkis kaki
Reggie memanjat menara tersebut untuk menyembur
cat dengan warna Merimac tetapi kakinya tersangkut.
Newt menolong Reggie dengan membuka tali
kasutnya
dan mereka berdua menjalar di atas bumbung ke arah
tangga.
Oleh kerana tangga tersebut tidak dapat menampung
berat kedua-duanya sekali, Newt meminta Reggie
menunggu sehingga dia (Newt) sampai ke bawah.
Reggie tidak mengikut arahan Newt
Reggie terpijak bahagia tangga yang sudah reput and
ia mengenai dahi Newt.
Ini membuatkan Newt kehilangan pertimbangan dan
dia jatuh ke atas tilam pelampung.
Newt patah buku lali dan dua tulang rusuk
Semua kejadian dirakam dan disiarkan melalui media
dan penduduk Appleton mula mengetahui bahawa
Newt adalah Captain Nobody.
Captain Nobody degelar sebagai . selepas kejadian di
Appleton Water Tower
Pihak media juga menyiarkan berita tentang kejadian-
kejadian lain yang melibatkan Captain Nobody
sebagai penyelamatnya.
Newt dan dua rakannya, Cecil dan JJ telah diber
penghormatan menyertai Perarakan Kejayaan
Appleton’ pada tahun itu.
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 6. The impact after Newt transforms into Captain Nobody OR
Problems / obstacles / difficulties Newt overcome after he becomes Captain Nobody

Newt does not have self-confidence because people see him as insignificant (because
people do not notice him). In fact, people do not know that Newton Newman, a short, skinny,
ten-year boy, is eventually the little brother of the famous Fillmore High School footballer, Chris
Newton. Newt only has two friends, Cecil and JJ, who are always with him most of the time. In
fact, the three of them are used to be ignored by their own schoolmates. One day, his friends,
Cecil and JJ transform Chris’ old clothes worn by Newt to impress his mother into a Halloween
costume. In Captain Nobody’s costume, Newt’s inner other feels protected and confident. So,
he keeps wearing it to school even after the Halloween. Anyone who sees him in the costume
takes him seriously and does not ignore him like before.

Besides, as Captain Nobody, he manages to overcome his own inferiority complex/low

self-esteem when facing adults (his difficulties/hardships/obstacles/problems). Eventually,
when Newt is around adults, he spends most his time staring at the ground under his feet.
However, as Captain Nobody, he becomes braver as he can look at them in the eye. This
is shown when Newt and Cecil are on their way back after getting the bass drum. They meet
Mr. Clay, a former locksmith, who has lost his way. As Captain Nobody, Newt dares to look at
Mr. Clay while talking to him and helps him find his way home. Newt holds Mr. Clay’s hand and
walks him the six blocks to his house. Besides, he also dares to meet Mrs. Sullivan’s gaze
steadily too while talking to her.

Besides, Newt confidently tells the Sullivans about the spelling and punctuation errors
on the signs displayed in their window store. Coincidentally, as Captain Nobody, his
bravery to correct the errors of the signs saves the Sullivans’ lives and prevents an
attempt of robbery. The robber who attempts to run away with the jewellery, unfortunately
bumps into Newt who is standing on the doorway and fails in his attempt to run away with it
when they both tumble on the floor.

Newt has also managed to overcome his acrophobic problem in order to help his friend,
Cecil, get an abandoned big bass drum from the Dumpster. He braves himself to climb up the
mountain of trash to take a drum for Cecil despite his fear of height. Even though he is nervous
at the beginning, he manages to overcome it when Cecil convinces him that only Captain
Nobody can do the job. Newt manages to do it and it is a sense of achievement for him. Besides,
he has managed to save Reggie Ratner at the Appleton Water Tower although he is scared of
hright.

After the Appleton Tower incident when he manages to save Reggie, Newt has proven
to his busy parents that he is also a hero, like his brother, Chris. Due to the Appleton tower
incident which is telecast on TV, it makes Newt’s parents realise that they have neglected
Newt as they are too worried with Chris’ condition. They also realise that they are
unaware of Newt’s activities – being a Captain Nobody, he has saved many people’s
lives. On the other hand, during his interview on TV, Chris has proudly told the residents of
Appleton that Newt is his little brother. He has also told the reporter that he has met with
Appleton Mayor to request for the real Appleton hero, his brave little brother, Newt, to
ride in that year’s Appleton victory parade. The incident has finally opened people’s eyes
who Newton Newman really is – the real hero. From zero, Newt has become a hero.

From the incidents, it is clear that things are very different when he is Newton as compared to his life
when he wears the Captain Nobody costume. He manages to overcome his acrophobia, low self-esteem
problem and lack of his parents’ attention by being Captain Nobody. In my opinion, Newt has done
several good deeds as Captain Nobody to hide his inner self problem. Briefly, we should also do
something to help people in need and gain more confidence to overcome our own problem.

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