DEAR MR.

KILMER
by Anne Schraff

THEMES

THE CHALLENGES OF GROWING UP

Richard has a little chance of communicating with Pa

who is often silent and reserved. Richard can only share
a limited amount of his pain and frustration with Angie
Richard is a boy with principles and firm beliefs. He does
not give in to the herd mentality or get pressured. Thus
he has to face the bullies in his class when he is the only
person who signs the card for the Schermers. He also
has to face the repercussion of giving up the role of
Doughboy to support Hannah
Hannah faces challenges of coming from a migrant
German family, new to Iowa county though not new to
the country. Thus, she has to endure pain of ostracism
and rejection by a majority of fearful, unreasonable
classmates and country people

LOVE, UNDERSTANDING AND FAMILY

RELATIONSHIP
Pa loves his children but is unable to express
it or talk about buried pain over the loss of
his wife and brother. Often lost in his silence
and his thought, this causes some strange
barrier between him and his children
When Gus tells Pa that he has enlisted to
joined the war, his father is shocked and
unhappy. It is because Pa actually afraid of
losing Gus in the war like his brother.

 After Richards poetic tribute to Kilmer is

published in the local paper, Pas silence is
broke. In the end, Richard is able to share his
poetry with Pa, and Pa gives him helpful
comments. A more normal and happy family
relationship built on understanding and
communication finally becomes a reality
The Schermer family, in contrast, is a more
balanced and happy one. There is joy,
laughter, communication, music, singing,
books and literature in their home. Richard
finds their home an oasis after the silence of
his own family

HUMANITY AND FRIENDSHIP GIVE US

HOPE
Being kind to others when they are facing difficulty
reveals the basic goodness of man, and underline our
humanity
When the Schermers tavern was vandalised, Mrs
Hansen asks her class to sign a card of sympathy.
The whole class disobeys her, except Richard.
Mrs Hansen is impressed by the humanity and
friendship shown by Richard and Hannah. When
Hannah wins the role of Lady Liberty, only Richard
claps. Their classmates ostracise them. Hannah, like
Kilmer, had written on the beautiful dream of a world
without war. When she turns down the role, Richard
does the same to support her.

Where there is prejudice, there is no

reason
Prejudice is a way of thinking that drowns out
reason. It causes people to become judgemental
and unreasonable. Some children will reflect their
parents prejudice.
Richard is unlike many irrational and biased people
in his community. He is logical, sensitive and
perceptive. He continues to befriending Hannah and
her family despite his family's comments.
The prejudice and hatred extends to Richard
because he has become close friends with Hannah.
Many students ignore him or make cruel comments
behind his back. Those who want to be friendly are
not brave enough to go against the others.