Using the details from the novel that you have studied, choose a character, discuss how the character has taught you one valuable lesson. Support your answer with close reference to the text.

                

I choose the novel  Catch Us If You Can written by Catherine McPhail. I choose Rory as the character that has taught me one valuable lesson. The lesson I learnt from him is to be responsible.

                Firstly, his responsibility can be seen by him being caring towards his grandfather whom he called ‘Granda’. Everything changed after Rory’s mother passed away and his father left him and his grandparents. When his grandmother passed away too, Granda had been taking care of Rory all by himself. However, everything started to change after Granda started to have lapses of memory and had the tendency to forget things. Since then, Rory took over the responsibilities of an adult in the household. He took care of Granda; his meals, his medicine and everything. Rory was willing to do anything for Granda. This is because he believed that they (Rory and Granda) only had each other to protect and to love.

                Secondly, Rory’s responsibility can be seen when he decided not to play football for his school. The reason why he made such a decision was because he wanted to prepare or buy lunch for Granda. Usually he would stop at the baker’s and bought pies for lunch. Other than that, he had to be home by lunch time to make sure Granda take his medicine according to the doctor’s instruction.

                Lastly, Rory also shows his responsibility towards his Granda by taking out his Granda from Rachnadar, the old folks home. He knew that Granda loathed that place, ‘the place you go when nobody wants you’. He knew that Granda was not happy living there. Therefore, because he was a responsible boy, he decided to save his Granda by planning The Great Escape. He planned this because he was not happy staying at the children’s home at Castle Street. He planned the escape so that he and his grandfather could stay together, and never be apart again.

                In my opinion, regardless of age, people should be responsible in whatever they do. In Catch Us If You Can, the character of Rory has taught me a valuable lesson that is to be a responsible person. We should emulate Rory’s examples of responsibility and use them in our life. He has also taught us that if we love somebody sincerely, God would give us a happy life in the end.

How is the theme love shown in the novel you have read?

I have read the novel ‘Catch Us If You Can’ written by CatherineMacPhail. It is an interesting novel.  One of the main messages the author highlights is that love is important in a family and we should be willing to forgive our family for their wrongdoings.

Firstly, love between a grandparent and a grandchild. 

Granda loves Rory. To him, Rory is his son. Rory and Granda share an amazing family love for each other, Their love is deep and pure. Granda has been taking care of Rory ever since Rory’s mother passed away and his father walked out of their life. Granda sees to the needs of Rory in schooling and goes to see the class teacher whenever being called such as Parents’ Night. Rory also loves his grandfather. Rory will do anything to care for Granda and make him happy. He readily sacrifices his love for football and to be on the school football team so that he has time to care for Granda. Their love surpasses most level people are capable of family love. This is because of the unique situation the boy and his grandfather are in. Because of this love, they are willing to run away in order not to be separated. They shun the safety of the children’s home (Castle Street) and old folks home (Rachnadar).

Next, love between friends.

Here Rory loves and is loved by his friends such as Tyrone and Darren. Darren gives the key of his mom’s caravan to Rory in the Great Escape. Tyrone along with his parents, Ruby and Sammy, help Granda and Rory in their journey because he could empathise with Rory and his Granda. These people believe that Rory and his grandfather are doing the right thing to stay together and they do not expect to be paid for helping Rory and Granda.

Then, Tyrone’s family too portrays family love.

They are a loving and close-knit family. Sammy is the head of the family and a good provider. Ruby sees to the family’s everyday needs. Tyrone tells Rory that he will never part from his parents. It is his fear too that one day he will be taken away from them by the authorities. Like Rory, he will never allow this to happen.

Lastly, we also see the love shown by the public   .

Their journey is a struggle to stay free. Strangers help them all the way, giving them shelter and making safe plans for them. Rab, the petrol station owner,  gives shelter to the runaways knowing that they are in trouble. He and his girlfriend, Annie helps Granda and Rory cross the Borders to enter England and seeks Annie’s cousin’s help.  Norma and her daughter, Nicola, allow Rory and Granda to stay overnight at their house in Lake District.

As a conclusion, the theme love is shown between the main character, Rory and the people surrounding him that is his grandfather, his best friend and new friends like Tyrone and his family, and strangers like Rab and friends.

It is true that ‘love does not count’ and ‘a friend in need is a friend indeed’.

In my opinion, family relationships should be nurtured and not taken for granted as family happiness and stability depend on this positive attitude.

Adapted from : Modul Pecutan Akhir SPM JPN Kelantan 2012)