FORM 5 (The New Literature Component) : Poems

FORM 5 (The New Literature Component)
Poems
A Poison Tree by What Has Happened to

William Blake Lulu? by Charles Causley
Novels
Captain Nobody by Sing to the Dawn by

Dean Pitchford Minfong Ho
Dear Mr Kilmer by
Anne Schraff
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English SPM Exploring Literature
POEMS
1 A Poison Tree by William Blake
Paraphrase of the Poem

Stanza 1
The persona was angry with his friend. But when he talked it over with his friend, his anger disappeared.
Later on, he was angry with his enemy. However, he does not voice it out and the anger grows.
Stanza 2
The persona waters or feeds the anger with fears and tears. But, he covers up his true feelings with
pretense and insincere smiles.
Stanza 3
The anger grows until it is firmly rooted in the persona and as he puts it, it becomes “an apple tree”.
His enemy knows the tree belongs to the persona.
Stanza 4
Late one dark night, the enemy goes to the persona’s garden. He most probably ate the apple from the
poison tree because the next morning, the persona finds him lying on the ground beneath the tree.
Themes
Anger with
friends
Insincerity and Communication
deceit and bad feelings
THEMES
Danger of
Obsession and
holding back
consequences
one’s feelings
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MORAL VALUES
We should express We should make We should know that

We should not allow
our feelings and not peace with everyone, obsession can lead to
anger to control our
bottle them within no matter friend or destruction and loss
life.
us. foe. of self-control.
Language and Style

• Indirect expression, difficult to understand
• Tendency to use words with multiple
Point of View meanings
Tone and Mood
• First person • Message cum advice to get anger out of
• Serious and
point of view one’s system
perceptive
• Unsympathetic
and intense
Rhyme & Rhythm
• Four stanzas
• Rhyme scheme – Imagery
a, a, b, b • Stanza 2 gives an
image of a tree
being well taken
Irony
care of
• It is ironical that anger which
LITERARY
is a negative thing, grows
DEVICES
into a tree which is a positive
thing, although it is a poison Symbol
tree • The tree is a symbol
of life, and anger
seems to have been
Metaphor given life to grow
• The tree of anger, like an
apple tree, starts to bear
fruit Personification
• ‘The night has veiled the pole,’
means the night is personified as
Diction a person putting a veil or cover
• ‘My wrath did grow’, ‘my foe beheld it on the pole or light
shine’, ‘into my garden stole’ are examples
of the poet’s choice of language
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Enrichment Exercises
Exercise 1
Read the poem, ‘A Poison Tree’ and complete the sentences appropriately.
1. The persona has a difference of opinion with a but talks it out and the wrath did
.
2. When the persona has a tiff with a , he does not talk it out and the wrath did .
3. He feeds the anger with his daily, and morning and night with his .
4. He covers up his feelings with and nobody knew how he feels because of his deceitful
.
5. The anger tree in him grows steadily day and until the tree bears a fruit fresh and
.
6. My (the persona’s) enemy sees the fruit on the anger tree and knows it is not his but
.
7. That night when the darkness blocked the electric , the enemy into the
persona’s garden.
8. The next morning, the persona could to his happiness his enemy lying outstretched on
the ground beneath the .
Exercise 2
Read the poem, ‘A Poison Tree’ and complete the word puzzle below with words from the poem. The letters
in the boxes in bold make up two words. Write the words in the space provided. Use the clues to help you.
1. A
2. S
3. B
4. O
5. S
6. M
7. W
8. G
9. V
10. W
Clues
1. A type of fruit 6. To belong to oneself
2. Opposite of hard 7. A deep anger
3. Clear and shiny 8. A place to grow flowering plants
4. Reach out or spread out 9. Covered with a thin cloth
5. Past tense of steal 10. Cunning tricks
The words are:
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Practices
Exercise 1
Read the poem, ‘A Poison Tree’, and answer the questions that follow.
(a) What is the difference between anger and wrath?
(b) Describe a theme portrayed by the poem.
(c) What two things happened to the persona’s anger with his enemy?
(d) ‘And into my garden stole’

Describe how the persona’s enemy enters his garden. Give the literal and figurative meaning of the
line above.
Description:
Meaning:
Exercise 2
(a) How has night been personified?
(b) How does the persona feel when he sees his enemy lying on the ground?
(c) What is ironic in the development of the persona’s anger?
(d) ‘I was angry with my friend…my foe’

How does the persona solve the difference of opinion with his friend and his foe? In your opinion,
why is there a difference in his approach to the same problem?
Solution:
Opinion:
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Exercise 3
(a) What is the meaning of the line ‘and I sunned it with smiles’?
(b) Who is said to have entered the persona’s garden and what is he perceived to have done?
(c) Give a moral value you have learned from the poem.
(d) ‘And I watered it in fears’.

What other steps does the persona take to keep his anger alive? What are the end results of this
anger for the persona and the enemy?
Steps:
End results:
Exercise 4
(a) What is the poem mainly about?
(b) In stanza 1, who are the two people the persona was angry with?
(c) List the ways the persona fed his anger. What did it become?
(d) ‘And it grew both day and night’.

What does the word ‘it’ in the line refer to? Do you think it is healthy for the persona to do what
he did with his feelings? Give a reason for your answer.
Word reference:
Opinion and reason:
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2 What Has Happened to Lulu? by Charles Causley
Paraphrase of the Poem

Stanza 1
The persona questions about the whereabouts of Lulu as her bed is empty except for an old rag-doll
and a shoe.
Stanza 2
The window in the room is open and the curtain is flapping while on the dusty shelf the money-box
is missing. There is only the mark of a circle where the money-box used to be.
Stanza 3
The persona wants to know why his mother is shaking her head and shedding tears. She has crumpled
up a note and says it is of no importance.
Stanza 4
The persona heard people talking and the roar of a car engine late at night but is told it was all part
of a dream.
Stanza 5
The persona also heard somebody cry either in pain or anger but is told it was a gust of rain.
Stanza 6
The persona wants to know why his mother is wandering about in a daze not knowing what to do.
He is confused about the disappearance of Lulu.
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Themes
The running
away of a young
family member
Parents’ and Feelings of

siblings’ feelings helplessness
of loss
THEMES
Concern for the Confusion about

parent the reason
MORAL VALUES
We should be We should be
We should realize
We should not even concerned about observant of our
that running away
think of running our parents and family members’
from problems is not
away from home. appreciate their love behavior and show
a solution.
and care. concern.
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Tone and Mood

Language & Style • Inquiring and anxious
• Simple, easy to • Perceptive and aware
understand • Feeling of helplessness
• Questioning
Point of View
• First person Rhyme & Rhythm
point of view • Six stanzas
• Rhyme scheme –
a, b, c, b
Onomatopoeia
• ‘curtain flapping Imagery
free’ • A circle on the dusty
shelf where her
money-box used to
be gives an image
Rhetorical question of Lulu’s decision to
LITERARY
• ‘Why do you tell disappear completely
DEVICES
me …a dream and as she has taken her
nothing more?’ life savings with her
Metaphor
Alliteration • The cry of
• ‘‘Why is her anger or pain is
window wide’ compared to a
gust of rain
Repetition
• The question ‘What has Symbol
Irony
happened to Lulu, mother?’ • ‘The curtain flapping
• On the night before, the persona
is repeated to emphasize free’ symbolizes the
heard voices, a car engine’s roar
the desperation of the person’s freedom
and a cry of anger or pain. But,
persona • ‘Nothing on her
his mother told him it’s a part
of his dream and a gust of rain. bed’ symbolizes the
Ironically, now that Lulu has emptiness of the
disappeared, the persona’s mother room
seems worried as she wanders
about in a daze
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Exercise 1
Read the poem, ‘What Has Happened to Lulu?’, and tick (✓) the statements that are true.
1. The persona wants to know the whereabouts of his sister, Lulu. ( )
2. He notices an old rag doll and a shoe in Lulu’s room. ( )
3. The window is wide open and Lulu is climbing out of it. ( )
4. There are dollar notes and coins on the clean shelf. ( )
5. The persona’s mother turns her head away with tears in her eyes. ( )
6. Lulu has left a note and it is crumpled and burning on the fire. ( )
7. The persona dreams of going for a car ride with Lulu. ( )
8. The persona is sure he heard Lulu and mother quarrelling in the night. ( )
9. It was raining the night before. ( )
10. The persona is curious as to why his mother is wandering about helplessly. ( )
Exercise 2
Read the poem, ‘What Has Happened to Lulu?’, and solve the crossword puzzle with the help of the clues
given below.
1. R 2. D 3. S 4. Y
5. S
6. T
7. C
8. O 9. O
10. C
11. M 12. O
13. W
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Clues
Across Down
2. Full of dust 1. Sound made by an animal or vehicle
5. Something we wear on one foot 3. Flat thin piece of wood attached to the wall
7. To crush or wrinkle 4. Refers to other person one is talking to
8. Either 6. Discharge from eye when one cries
10. Piece of cloth hung as screen 9. Solely
11. A container for keeping money 12. Not young
13. Not narrow
Practices
Exercise 1
Read the poem, ‘What Has Happened to Lulu?’, and answer the questions that follow.
(a) What does the open window signify?
(b) Whom do you think has written the note and to whom is it addressed?
(c) Explain a theme portrayed in the poem.
(d) ‘What has happened to Lu?’

Do you think the persona is a small boy? Give two evidence based on the poem for your answer.
Evidence one:
Evidence two:
Exercise 2
(a) What is the poem mainly about and who are the personas?
(b) How do we know that the persona’s mother feels sad?
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(c) What does the ‘curtain flapping free’ symbolise?
(d) ‘I heard somebody cry’

Whose cry do you think the persona heard? Give a reason for your answer. Why is it dismissed by
the mother as a gust of rain?
Cry and reason:
Mother’s reason:
Exercise 3
(a) What is the tone of the poem and why do you think this is so?
(b) How does the persona’s mother show that she does not know what to do about the situation?
(c) What moral lesson have you learned from the poem?
(d) ‘And say it is nothing at all’

What do you think made Lulu do what she did? How do you think parents feel when children do
what Lulu had done? Give a reason for your answer.
Reason:
Feelings:
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NOVELS
1 Captain Nobody by Dean Pitchford
Setting
Place
• Appleton Town
– stadium, school, hospital, water tower, City Hall
SETTING
Time
• Last Friday in October up to a November evening:
– from the day of the Big Game till the victory
parade
Characters
Cecil Newton
Butterworth Newman
Juanita
Chris
Josephina CHARACTERS
Newman
Gonzalez (JJ)
Mary Patrick
Newman Newman
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Plot
Newton prepares breakfast for his family, but they are too
preoccupied to entertain him. Wishing to be noticed, Newton and
EXPOSITION his friends – JJ and Cecil – plan to make interesting Halloween
costumes. At the Big Game, Newton’s brother, Chris is knocked into
a coma. Reggie is believed to be the culprit.
Worried about Chris and with his parents busy at the hospital,
Newton cannot think of a Halloween costume. JJ and Cecil help
CONFLICT him to make a costume out of Chris’s old clothes, complete with
a mask. Newton feels transformed, and proudly says that he is
Captain Nobody. The Halloween treat-or-trick night is a success.
Newton feels strong and assured in his costume, and wears it to

school. Over the next few days, as Captain Nobody, he experiences
CLIMAX a series of adventures. He helps old Mr Clay home, stops a robbery,
and averts an airplane tragedy. Newton rescues Reggie, mistakenly
thinking he wanted to kill himself, but ends up falling.
Newton faints and is admitted to the hospital for broken ribs and
ankle, in the same room as Chris. His parents discuss the daring
FALLING ACTION adventures he was involved in. They feel proud and realize they
should be more caring. Newton is thrilled to be near Chris yet
worried about him at the same time.
Feeling steamed, Newton unintentionally shouts ‘Hit the showers!’

which makes Chris come out of his coma. JJ and Cecil visit Newton
RESOLUTION at the hospital. They are interviewed about Captain Nobody, and
the newspaper headlines say ‘He Went Up a Nobody, but He Came
Down a Hero’.
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Themes
Family
relationship
Excel at one’s
Creativity
work
THEMES
Friendship and
Sibling bonding teamwork
Moral Values
MORAL VALUES
We should build
We should have
strong family We should use our When we are
confidence and trust
relationships and creative abilities and engaged in doing
in our friends to
be there for each hone our skills for something, we
keep the friendship
other, as well as the good of oneself should make all
strong, and
spend quality time and others. efforts to do well.
cooperate as a team.
together.
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Exercise 1
Fill in the blanks with appropriate expressions from the list below to complete the synopsis of the story,
‘Captain Nobody’.
stops a robbery football star after six days top of the water tower
Halloween costumes falls into a coma adventurous rescues
prevent an airplane tragedy identity as Captain Nobody trick-or-treat
Newton Newman prepares breakfast for his family but they are too busy to enjoy it. His father
and mother are workaholics and his brother, Chris, is a (1) . He feels
side-lined time and again but he does not feel lonely. His two good friends, JJ and Cecil want
to come out with new (2) that would reflect their inner self. It is the
Big Game of the season but Chris is knocked out and (3) . Worried
about Chris, Newton cannot concentrate on making a costume. JJ and Cecil help Newton come
out with his costume which ultimately gives him an (4) . They have a
successful (5) night. This is followed by (6)
by Captain Nobody. He helps a confused Mr Clay home and (7) at a
jewellery store. While trying to save Ferocious, the Fillmore mascot, Captain Nobody clears the
highway and this helps to (8) . He then helps to rescue Reggie from the
(9) but falls to the ground and ends up in the hospital. He recovers and
sees Chris for the first time (10) . Newton’s parents know of his identity
as Captain Nobody and his exploits. They are proud and happy as both sons recover and the
family is together again.
Exercise 2
Write True (T) or False (F) for the statements below.
1. Newton prepares breakfast for the family but they are too busy for food. ( )
2. Newton tries desperately to identify his ‘inner other’ and personal hero. ( )
3. At the Big Game, Chris is on top of the pile of players after his touchdown. ( )
4. Chris is not badly hurt as nothing is broken but he falls into a coma. ( )
5. Newton refuses to wear the costume with C.N. written on it. ( )
6. He takes the name Captain Nobody from his book of comic heroes. ( )
7. He decides to wear his Halloween costume to school as it gives him an identity. ( )
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8. The teacher phones Newton’s parents to complain about his costume. ( )

9. Captain Nobody scores a few successful rescues and is acknowledged in the papers. ( )
10. Newton falls into a coma for two days after he falls down from the water tower. ( )
Practices
Exercise 1
Adventurous acts of Captain Nobody are evident throughout the novel. How have they helped the main
character? Give reasons with close reference to the text.
Exercise 2
Based on the novel, write on the theme of friendship. Use evidence from the text to support your
answer.
Exercise 3
‘He Went Up a Nobody, but He Came Down a Hero’. Explain the circumstances that led to this headline
and its significance in relation to the main character. Use textual evidence to support your answer.
Exercise 4
Based on the novel, do you think the title is appropriate for the novel? Support your answer using
textual evidence.
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2 Dear Mr Kilmer by Anne Schraff
Setting
Place
• Turtle Lake, Iowa, America
– hunting cabin, school, the Knights’ farmhouse,
Schermers’ tavern
SETTING
Time
• Year of 1917 when America joined the World War
I, to 1918 when the war ended
Characters
Richard
Joyce Kilmer
Knight
Hannah Mr. Knight

Schermer (Pa)
CHARACTERS
Mrs Hansen Angie Knight
Gus Knight
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Plot
Richard, Pa and Gus are on a hunting trip for Richard’s first kill—his
first deer. Richard purposely misses shooting it, disappointing Pa. In
EXPOSITION class, Richard learns of the poet, Joyce Kilmer and is fascinated. He
writes to Mr. Kilmer and tells him of his secret interest in poetry.
Richard sees racial harassment directed at Hannah.
Richard is the only student to sign the sympathy card for the
Schermers. Richard is thrilled to get a reply from Mr. Kilmer. He
CONFLICT encourages Richard to share his poems with people around him.
His family is indifferent at his poetry and the correspondence, but
Mrs. Hansen is impressed. Richard continues writing to Mr. Kilmer.
Hannah and Richard win the roles for Mrs. Hansen’s programme.
But pressure from some parents and students make Hannah decline
CLIMAX the role. Richard turns his part down too as he feels it is unfair.
Gus informs the family that he has enlisted for war. This upsets his
father and Richard fears for his brother’s safety.
One afternoon in early August, Richard receives an emotional letter

from Mr. Kilmer about his feelings and the war. He pens a reply but
FALLING ACTION feels an urgency to post it. Along the way, he receives news of Mr.
Kilmer’s death. He is stunned and the reality of it hits him when he
reads the article in the morning papers.
At first, Richard is in anguish. Then, he calms down and writes a

poem in memory of Mr. Kilmer. He shares it with the Schermers,
RESOLUTION who encourage him to publish it. Pa is touched when he sees the
poem in the papers, and talks to Richard about his brother, Roland.
World War 1 ends, and Richard and Pa have a good relationship.
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Themes
Family bonding
Power of the Perils of war and

written word joys of peace
THEMES
Racial
Patriotism
harassment
Moral Values
MORAL VALUES
We should love the

We should put our
Family relationships can country we live in or are
thoughts in writing rather
and must be nurtured from, and be ready to
than keep them inside all
through family bonding. sacrifice for the country
the time.
and people.
We should accept the fact

War results in loss of lives, that everyone has a right
property and misery while to live in any part of the
peace brings joy. world and not be harassed
for unfair reasons.
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Exercise 1
Read the following statements and arrange them in the correct sequence. The first one has been done for
you.
(a) At home, Richard reads Mr. Kilmer’s reply to his letter and tells his family ( )
about his poetry writing.
(b) Back home, after completing his chores, Richard writes a letter to Mr. Kilmer. ( )
(c) Devastated at the news of Mr. Kilmer’s death, Richard writes a poem titled ( )
‘In Memory of Sergeant Joyce Kilmer’.
(d) Richard, who is in tenth grade, is mesmerised by Joyce Kilmer’s poem ( 1 )
read out by Mrs. Hansen in class.
(e) Next day, Richard shows Mr. Kilmer’s letter and his own poems to Mrs. Hansen. ( )
(f) He borrows a copy of the poetry book and gets the address of the editor of ( )
The New York Times.
(g) Richard continues writing to Mr. Kilmer and learns the latter will be sailing to ( )
France to join the war.
(h) In school, the class is invited to sign a sympathy card to Hannah whose family tavern ( )
was vandalised.
(i) No one wants to sign the card except for Richard who eventually takes the card ( )
to Hannah.
(j) In the ensuing correspondence, Richard learns about the war and ( )
conditions in Europe.
Exercise 2
Complete each of the statements with an expression from the list below.
a famous poet did not like to kill animals the right thing to do
found a new hero only one signature knew they would not miss
scribbled the words ‘Dirty Hun’ seemed to speak directly
1. On his first hunting trip, Richard looked at the deer and wished it would sense their presence
because he . But, the deer could not smell their presence.
2. When his father and Gus started talking about boxing, Richard slipped away quietly because he
was not interested and his absence.
3. Hannah was upset when she looked at her book because someone had
on the cover.
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4. In class, after hearing Joyce Kilmer’s poem, Richard was impressed because he had
- one who felt the same way as him about nature.
5. Richard read the book, ‘Trees and Other Poems’ and liked the poems for their simplicity and
because they to him. So, he wrote a letter to Mr. Kilmer.
6. Richard looked at the card for Hannah and felt upset because there was ,
Richard’s.
7. When Richard showed Mr. Kilmer’s letter to Mrs. Hansen, she was impressed because he had
made friends with .
8. Otto, Hannah’s brother joined the American Expeditionary Forces because he thought it was
as he was patriotic.
Practices
Exercise 1
Based on the novel, write about an important event that happened to the main character at the hunting
cabin. Explain the lessons he learned from this event and how they helped him to cope with later
events.
Exercise 2
Based on the novel, write on the theme of family bonding. Use textual evidence from the text to
support your answer.
Exercise 3
Based on the novel, write about an incident that you disagree with. With close reference to the text, give
reasons for your answer.
Exercise 4
Based on the novel, do you think the title is appropriate for the novel? Use textual evidence to support
your answer.
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3 Sing to the Dawn by Minfong Ho
Setting
Place
• Village
– village school, family’s house, old wooden
bridge, Cousin Noi’s house, marketplace, temple
SETTING
Time
• Present day: a week starting from the announcement
of the scholarship’s winner to Dawan leaving for
the City
Characters
Dawan Kwai
Grandmother CHARACTERS School teacher
Mother Father
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Plot
Dawan and Kwai are expecting the announcement of the exam’s

results and scholarship’s winner. They talk about improving life in
EXPOSITION the village. Kwai says Dawan has a good chance of winning. Dawan
is doubtful as she is a girl and the practice of gender inequality
makes it unlikely for her to win.
The school teacher discusses the issue of rent collection by the

landlord. Dawan is announced as the winner of the scholarship
CONFLICT and Kwai is visibly upset.When Dawan informs her family, Father
cannot believe Kwai didn’t win. Mother is not encouraging too, but
brings Dawan to Cousin Noi’s house to ask for her support. Only
grandmother is openly proud of Dawan.
Kwai is surprised at Cousin Noi’s discouragement. He tells Dawan

he may get to go to the City school instead of her as he is placed
CLIMAX second right after her. Dawan feels fear at her diminishing chance,
and is afraid Kwai will tell their father. At dinner time, Kwai tests
their father with a hypothetical question.
Dawan wants the head monk to persuade her father. At the

marketplace, Dawan meets Bao who gives Dawan a free lotus bud
FALLING ACTION and encourages her. The head monk dissuades Dawan from going
to the City. Upset, she returns to the marketplace. Dawan hurts her
ankle when she tries to stop Kwai from hitting Bao.
Father knows the exam results and is angry that they didn’t inform
him. In the ensuing discussion, Dawan convinces him to let her go
to the City. On the day of her departure, the siblings realize things
RESOLUTION
won’t be the same for them after this. Dawan leaves with a heavy
heart and encouragement from grandmother. Kwai waves farewell
to her from the wooden bridge.
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Themes
Family support
and love
Looking to the Ideals versus

future reality
THEMES
Exploitation
of the poor by Gender
those in power inequality
Moral Values
MORAL VALUES
We should encourage and Do not take advantage of those

support family members who who are supposedly lower in
want to better themselves. status than you are.
We should remember that

We should look forward to the
actions speak louder than
future with a positive mind.
words.
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Exercise 1
Complete the synopsis of the novel, ‘Sing to the Dawn’ by filling in the blanks appropriately with expressions
from the list below.
a definite answer expresses disbelief improving life gender inequality

hurt ankle wins the scholarship a heavy heart expresses disbelief
encourages her to move on the head monk dissuades things will not be the same
Dawan and Kwai sit on the wooden bridge to watch the sunrise. They discuss the issue of
(1) in the village. Dawan is sure she cannot get the scholarship because
of the practice of (2) . The teacher and students discuss the issue of unfair
collection of rent and tax by the landlord. The teacher mentions the responsibility that comes with
winning the scholarship. Dawan (3) and Kwai is visibly upset. Dawan
informs the family that she has won the scholarship, and Father (4)
that Kwai is not the winner. Kwai as the second place winner may take away Dawan’s chance
of furthering her studies in the City. Father refuses to give Dawan (5)
for her going to the City. At the marketplace, Bao, a flower stall girl gives Dawan a lotus bud
and (6) with her mission against gender inequality. At the temple,
(7) Dawan from pursuing her dream of going for further education.
Dawan returns to the marketplace and ends up getting a (8) . Finally,
Father relents and gives permission to Dawan while Kwai promises not to challenge her for the
scholarship. On the day of her departure, Dawan and Kwai realise that (9)
for them after this. Dawan leaves with (10) and words of encouragement
from her grandmother. Kwai waves farewell to Dawan from the wooden bridge.
Exercise 2
Answer the following questions.
1. In school:
(a) What is the atmosphere in the classroom that morning?
(b) Describe the discussion the class had with the teacher.
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(c) At the end of the lesson, what announcement does the teacher make to the class?
2. The scholarship:
(a) What does Dawan tell the family about the scholarship?
(b) How does her father react? Why does he react this way? Why can’t he accept the situation?
HOTS
(c) How does Kwai feel and why is Dawan unsure about her going to the City school?
(d) Whom does Dawan approach to get help to convince her father to give her permission?
3. Dawan and Bao

(a) Who attempts to console Dawan?
(b) Explain the three steps the person takes :
(i) Initial :
(ii) Words of advice :
(iii) Positive step :
(c) Do you think it is successful? Give a reason for your answer. HOTS
4. Dawan and Kwai

(a) What issue is troubling the two of them?
(b) Kwai’s feelings
(c) Dawan’s feelings
(d) What is the real cause for the unhappy feelings for Dawan and Kwai on the morning of
Dawan’s departure for the City? HOTS
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5. What grandmother does:

(a) What has grandmother prepared for Dawan?
(b) How does Dawan do the leave-taking with grandmother?
(c) During the leave-taking, how does grandmother advise Dawan?
Practices
Exercise 1
Based on the novel, Sing to the Dawn, do you think the title is appropriate for the novel? Use textual
evidence to support your answer.
Exercise 2
Based on the novel, Sing to the Dawn, write about the main character’s actions and ideas taking into
consideration her circumstances and surroundings.
Exercise 3
Based on the novel, Sing to the Dawn, the statement “I’m / You’re a girl,” appears a few times. Write on
the theme in relation to the statement as portrayed in the text.
Exercise 4
Based on the novel, Sing to the Dawn, what are the main character’s most important traits? Why are
these traits important?
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English SPM Answers
Exercise 3
POEMS (a) It means the persona pretended and covered up his anger with
insincere smiles.
1 A Poison Tree (b) The persona’s enemy is said to have entered his garden and ate
the apple from the poison tree.
(c) We should not allow anger to control our life.
(d) Steps: He sunned it with insincere smiles and deceitful ways and
Exercise 1 lies to keep it alive.
1. friend, end End results: The end result is he built up an obsession or a poison
2. foe, grow tree that caused destruction to himself and his enemy.
3. fears, tears Exercise 4
4. smiles, wiles
5. night, bright (a) The poem is about how the persona allowed his anger to become
6. shine, mine an obsession within himself.
7. pole, stole (b) The two people are a friend and an enemy.
8. see, tree (c) He despaired over his anger with tears, smiled falsely and covered
his anger with falsehoods. It became a poison tree or obsession.
Exercise 2 (d) Word reference: The word ‘it’ refers to his feeling of anger.
Opinion and reason:
1. APPLE
No, I think it is rather unhealthy because it can consume the
2. SOFT
person until he cannot think straight and imagines all sorts of
3. BRIGHT
unsavoury thoughts about the person he is angry with and others
4. OUTSTRETCH
too.
5. STOLE
6. MINE
7. WRATH
8. GARDEN 2 What Has Happened to Lulu?
9. VEILED
10. WILES
Exercise 1
Practices 1. 3 2. 3 5. 3 6.
3 9.
3
Exercise 1 10. 3
(a) Anger is the feeling of being upset while wrath is deep anger. Exercise 2
(b) A theme portrayed by the poem is the dangers of keeping our Across Down
anger within ourselves. 2. DUSTY 1. ROAR
(c) The two things are it festered within the persona until it got out 5. SHOE 3. SHELF
of control and it affected the enemy to take extreme steps to 7. CRUMPLE 4. YOU
overcome it. 8. OR 6. TEARDROPS
(d) Description: The enemy entered the garden like a thief as seen in 10. CURTAIN 9. ONLY
the use of the word ‘stole’. 11. MONEYBOX 12. OLD
Meanings: Literal meaning – the enemy entered the persona’s 13. WIDE
compound to steal something
Figurative meaning – the enemy tries to outwit the persona who Practices
seems to have lost his self-control for his own benefit but ends up
losing out. Exercise 1
(a) It signifies that Lulu went out through the window or that she talked
Exercise 2 to whoever she left with from the window.
(a) Night has been personified as a person who has put a cover or veil (b) I think Lulu wrote the note and it is addressed to the mother.
over a pole or light. (c) A theme the poem portrays is parents and siblings’ feeling of grief.
(b) He feels happy as it seems he has successfully destroyed his (d) Evidence 1: He only noticed the childish things that are found in
enemy. the room.
(c) It is ironic that the anger which is a negative feeling has developed Evidence 2: His mother dismisses the sounds he heard the night
into an apple tree which is a symbol of a good thing. before.
(d) Solution: He talked it out with his friend but he did not express his Exercise 2
feelings to his enemy.
Opinion: I think he adopts different approaches because it is (a) The poem is about the running away of a sibling and the personas
easier to discuss feelings, good and bad with friends whereas are the young brother and their mother.
with enemies, one tends to be wary and unwilling to solve the (b) She cries in helplessness and wanders about the house.
unfriendly, angry feelings. (c) The ‘curtain flapping free’ symbolises the running away of the girl
and her new life.
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English SPM Answers
(d) Cry and reason: I think it is mother’s cry as it was a cry of anger or brother, Chris was a football star and most people did not know that he
pain when she saw Lulu running away. had a younger brother. His busy parents mostly left Newton to take care
Mother’s reason: She dismissed it when asked by the persona of himself. Furthermore, Newton was usually ignored by his classmates
as she does not want to upset the boy who does not seem to due to his small physical size.
understand the whole situation. But when Newton put on the costume and became Captain
Exercise 3 Nobody, he changed from being shy to confident. His classmates who
normally ignored him became his supporters when he was confronted
(a) The tone is one of inquiring and questioning as the persona by some bullies. As JJ said, as long as he was Captain Nobody, people
questions his mother about his missing sister. would not ignore him and his close friends ever, ever again. Newton
(b) She shows this by wandering about the house and not being able also found himself doing things that he usually wouldn’t do. He faced his
to tell the persona the truth of the situation. fear of heights when he helped Cecil get an old drum from a dumpster,
(c) The moral lesson I have learned from the poem is we should never and also when he climbed the rotten ladder up the water tower to
at any time think of leaving or running away from our family. rescue Reggie.
(d) Reason: I think Lulu could have felt her parents are too restrictive
or she is enticed by an adult who wants to take advantage of her Although Newton fell on his way down from the tower and was
youth and innocence. admitted to the hospital, the townspeople recognised him as a hero.
Feelings: Parents feel a great loss and grief because this is a He also gained his parents’ attention and made them realise they have
reflection of their parenting and whatever wrong they have done or neglected him. On top of that, he was able to wake Chris from his coma.
not done children are their flesh and blood. So, the series of adventures did Newton a world of good in all ways.
Exercise 2
The novel Captain Nobody tells the story of 10-year-old Newton
NOVELS Newman who dons a costume made from some old clothes for
Halloween night and ends up calling himself Captain Nobody. He and
his friends JJ and Cecil enjoy a successful Halloween trick-or-treat night
1 Captain Nobody in the neighbourhood of Appleton. The novel portrays a few themes and
one of these themes is that of friendship between the main character
Enrichment Exercises and two of his classmates and his sibling.
Exercise 1 Newton has two close friends, JJ and Cecil in his fourth grade
class. The bond of friendship between them is so close that they can
1. football star tell each other off and yet not take offense at each other’s remarks and
2. Halloween costumes comments about their mistakes. JJ and Cecil are the only ones that
3. falls into a coma Newton has showed his secret superhero sketchbooks to, and not even
4. identity as Captain Nobody his family members have seen them. The three of them understand and
5. trick-or-treat support each other. They feel that they are always ignored by others
6. adventurous rescues who act as if they are not visible.
7. stops a robbery
8. prevent an airplane tragedy Ever since they met each other in first grade, they had always
9. top of the water tower gone around to trick-or-treat together for Halloween. For this year, they
10. after six days decide to come up with new costumes to be noticed. Newton could not
think of a costume as he was worried about his brother’s condition. JJ
Exercise 2 and Cecil help him to create a costume which gives him confidence,
1. T 2. T 3. F 4. T 5. F and take on the identity as Captain Nobody.
6. F 7. T 8. F 9. T 10. F As Captain Nobody, Newton becomes involved in a series
of adventures with the help of his two good friends. It was actually
Practices because of Cecil that Newton stumbled upon his first rescue. Cecil
wanted Newton’s help to retrieve a drum from the dumpster. Old Mr
Exercise 1 Clay happened to be lost there, and thus Newton helped him home.
The novel Captain Nobody tells the story of 10-year-old Newton Next, JJ was horrified with the spelling mistakes in the signs of a
Newman who dons a costume made from some old clothes for jewellery shop. She wanted Captain Nobody to tell the shop owners.
Halloween night and ends up calling himself Captain Nobody. He and This caused Newton to unknowingly help to stop the robbery going on
his friends JJ and Cecil enjoy a successful Halloween trick-or-treat night in the shop. Besides that, the support and encouragement from JJ and
in the neighbourhood of Appleton. He continues to wear the costume Cecil helped Newton to save Reggie at the water tower.
over the following few days and get involved in a few adventures as
Captain Nobody. Other than that, Newton has a close relationship with his brother,
Chris in spite of their age difference. They have a little routine whereby
Several adventurous acts of Captain Nobody are evident Newton would yell ‘Hit the showers!’ when Chris overslept in the
throughout the novel. Firstly, Newton as Captain Nobody helped an old, mornings, and Chris would tease Newton that there are monsters under
confused Mr. Clay home. Later on, he stopped a robbery at a jewellery his bed at night. Despite being side-lined due to Chris’s popularity as
store. While trying to rescue Ferocious the ferret from the highway a football star, Newton only feels pride for his brother’s success and is
traffic, Captain Nobody unintentionally caused the roads to clear as cars very worried when Chris goes into a coma. Eventually, it was because
stopped to avoid hitting them. This action actually helped to avert an of their close friendship that Newton woke Chris from his coma.
airplane tragedy. In addition, Captain Nobody heroically rescued Reggie
Ratner from the water tower, though he ended up hurt. As described in Close friendship among the characters is clearly portrayed in the
the papers, ‘He Went Up a Nobody, but He Came Down a Hero’. novel.
These rescue adventures helped Newton, the main character a Exercise 3

great deal mentally and physically. Before gaining an identity as Captain
Nobody, Newton was overlooked both at home and in school. His elder The novel Captain Nobody tells the story of 10-year-old Newton
Newman who dons a costume made from some old clothes for
30
English SPM Answers
Halloween night and ends up calling himself Captain Nobody. He and hero recognised by the townspeople for his actions. Despite having no
his friends JJ and Cecil enjoy a successful Halloween trick-or-treat night magical powers like his comic book heroes, Newton was able to help
in the neighbourhood of Appleton. He continues to wear the costume many people as Captain Nobody.
over the following few days and get involved in a few adventures as
Captain Nobody.
When Reggie Ratner was spotted on top of the water tower, 2 Dear Mr. Kilmer
everyone thought that he was going to commit suicide due to the
harassment from Fillmore’s football team. They thought that he was
responsible for knocking Chris into a coma. Newton panicked when he Enrichment Exercises
heard about this as he knew that it wasn’t Reggie’s fault. He debated on Exercise 1
telling someone in authority so that they can talk to Reggie. However, he
realised that only he could deliver the news to make Reggie reconsider (a) 6 (b) 3 (c) 10 (d) 1 (e) 7
his supposed suicide. (f) 2 (g) 8 (h) 4 (i) 5 (j) 9
The water tower was surrounded by the police and many Exercise 2
spectators. Cecil distracted the police while JJ helped Newton to get 1. did not like to kill animals
on the ladder to climb up the water tower. Newton considered retreating 2. knew they would not miss
as the rungs of the ladder were either broken or not in good condition. 3. scribbled the words ‘Dirty Hun’
On top of that, he has a fear of heights. The faces and sounds of the 4. found a new hero
crowd which grew dimmer the higher he climbed also made him gag 5. seemed to speak directly
and grip the ladder. Nevertheless, the thought of Reggie alone on top of 6. only one signature
the tower gave Newton the courage to carry on his ascent as Captain 7. a famous poet
Nobody. 8. the right thing to do
After helping to free Reggie, they started the dangerous descent
down the ladder. However, one of the rungs broken by Reggie sent Practices
pieces of wood tumbling down on Newton. Startled, he lost his grip
and fell to the ground. He ended up in the hospital with broken ribs and Exercise 1
ankle as he helped to break Reggie’s fall.
In the novel, Dear Mr. Kilmer, 15-year-old Richard Knight sees the
The incident was covered by the newspapers. Every front page effects of World War 1 on his family, neighbourhood and personal
carried aerial photographs of Newton falling onto the inflatable rescue friends. Not interested in hunting or sports, he wrote poems on the quiet
mattresses. This was accompanied by news of Newton’s other rescue and kept it a secret even from his family. Doing this helped Richard
activities. The headlines in the papers read ‘He Went Up a Nobody, to cope with the changes in his daily life. He started a successful and
but He Came Down a Hero’. In this sense, Newton did literally go up fruitful correspondence with the poet Joyce Kilmer until the latter’s
as Captain Nobody and came down a hero for having rescued Reggie death in the war in Europe.
Ratner, to the delight of the townspeople and his parents.
An important event that happened to Richard, the main character
at the hunting cabin was when he fired at the deer he was supposed
Exercise 4
to kill, but missed hurting it. From this event, Richard learned two
The novel Captain Nobody tells the story of 10-year-old Newton significant lessons from his father and brother respectively. When
Newman who dons a costume made from some old clothes for Richard explained to Pa that he did not kill the deer as it was too painful
Halloween night and ends up calling himself Captain Nobody. He and to take an animal’s life, Pa told him that he feels it too but death is a
his friends JJ and Cecil enjoy a successful Halloween trick-or-treat night part of life. On the other hand, Gus reminded Richard that he had to
in the neighbourhood of Appleton. He continues to wear the costume learn to fit in with other people. Richard understood his father’s feelings
over the following few days and get involved in a few adventures as in relation to death as he had lost a brother in a war. But, he told Gus
Captain Nobody. he did not want to fit in.
Newton’s parents are workaholics and his brother, Chris is a These two lessons helped him cope with later events. One of these
football star. Most of the time, they are so busy that they do not even was when Hannah Schermer’s family was harassed for racial reasons.
have time to eat the breakfast Newton prepared for them. After the Big All of the students did not want to sign the sympathy card for Hannah,
Game, Chris is severely hurt and goes into a coma. Newton’s parents but Richard alone signed it and personally handed it to Hannah. When
are concerned with Chris and are cooped up at the hospital, leaving Hannah rejected the role of Lady Liberty, Richard did not want to
Newton to care for himself. They give him little news about Chris and be Doughboy for the patriotic programme to sell Liberty Bonds. He
his mother even forgot about Halloween and his clothes for school. did all these because he did not support the anti-German sentiment.
To put it bluntly, he is neglected like a “nobody” as his family is too He carried on his friendship with Hannah knowing full well the other
engrossed in their own affairs to really pay attention to him. classmates disapprove, as he believed that he was doing the right thing.
For Halloween night, Newton’s friends—JJ and Cecil—create a The other event was when Richard heard of the loss of Mr. Kilmer
costume for him complete with a mask. Newton feels different and in Europe. When he heard of Mr. Kilmer’s death in the war, he was
strong in the costume. When asked who he is supposed to be, Newton devastated but calmly accepted the loss by expressing his feelings in a
has a moment of inspiration and proudly declares that he is not poem. Richard described Mr. Kilmer’s death as the loss of ‘a precious
supposed to be anybody. He is Captain Nobody. little world’. His poem was printed in the Turtle Lake Weekly with
The Halloween night is successful, but it was the later activities unexpectedly good results. Richard and his father learned to have a
that enhanced Newton’s image as Captain Nobody. With JJ and Cecil’s good father-son relationship from these as they shared the same loss –
help, Captain Nobody got involved in a few rescue attempts. He helped a brother and a friend.
a confused Mr Clay home, stopped a robbery at a jewellery store, and Lessons that Richard learned from an earlier event stood him in
averted an airplane disaster. He also rescued Reggie from the water good stead in his later years. They helped him to learn to accept death
tower but ended up hurt in the process. as a part of life and learn to stand up for his decisions even if it didn’t fit
Therefore, the title is most appropriate for the novel because in with society’s expectations.
Newton changed from just a neglected nobody to Captain Nobody—a
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English SPM Answers
Exercise 2 I do not agree with the action of racial bullying because of the
In the novel, Dear Mr. Kilmer, 15-year-old Richard Knight sees the effects on the school children. Mrs. Hansen felt that a terrible wrong
effects of World War 1 on his family, neighbourhood and personal had been done to the Schermer family and wanted the class to sign a
friends. Not interested in hunting or sports, he wrote poems on the quiet sympathy card for Hannah. The whole class except for Richard refused
and kept it a secret even from his family. Doing this helped Richard to sign the sympathy card. As Mrs Hansen put it, the students seem to
to cope with the changes in his daily life. He started a successful and have lost their integrity and was glad that at least one student still had
fruitful correspondence with the poet Joyce Kilmer until the latter’s some integrity.
death in the war in Europe. Such an incident should not be allowed to take place in any
The novel portrays a few themes and one of these is family community.
bonding. Family bonding time is the time that a family spends doing
activities together. This is the time for family members to interact, to Exercise 4
exchange ideas and learn how to listen to each other.
In the novel, Dear Mr. Kilmer, 15-year-old Richard Knight sees the
Pa, Gus and Richard spent some time together during the hunting effects of World War 1 on his family, neighbourhood and personal
trip for Richard’s first kill. Though it may not have been a successful friends. Not interested in hunting or sports, he wrote poems on the quiet
hunt, it was still family time in which they spent it together doing an and kept it a secret even from his family. Doing this helped Richard
activity. That night after supper, the three of them sat around the living to cope with the changes in his daily life. He started a successful and
room as a form of family bonding. Gus and Pa exchanged views about fruitful correspondence with the poet Joyce Kilmer until the latter’s
sports while Richard sat quietly listening to them. In this aspect, the death in the war in Europe.
bonding only happens between Gus and Pa as Richard did not have
any interest in sports so he could not bond with them through the I feel that the title ‘Dear Mr. Kilmer’ is very appropriate for the
discussion. novel. The title refers to the standard, polite salutation used by Richard
to address Mr. Kilmer in his letters. He first learned about the poet when
During the summer holidays, Richard helped out at the farm Mrs. Hansen read aloud the poem ‘Trees’ in class. Richard felt as if he
diligently. He spent days on horseback, riding across the meadows with had found a new hero as not only did Mr. Kilmer feel the same way as
his father and tending to the cattle. Although there was still a strange him about nature, he was also brave enough to fight for the country.
barrier between father and son, Richard felt a closer bond with his This prompted him to write a letter to Mr. Kilmer and tell him of his
father through these activities they did together. interest in poetry that he hides from everyone. Surprisingly, Mr. Kilmer
When Mr. Kilmer is killed in the war, Richard is devastated by the replies Richard’s letter and this begins a chain of exchanges between
loss of his hero. He writes a poem titled ‘In Memory of Sergeant Joyce the two of them.
Kilmer’ in which he stated ‘a precious little world has died’. The poem The start of this correspondence was a wonderful opportunity for
strikes a chord in Pa as felt the same things when his brother died in a Richard to develop socially and personally. Mr. Kilmer encourages
war many years ago. This helped Pa to finally understand why Richard Richard to share his poems with the people around him, which help
wrote poems. From then onwards, father and son shared an almost him to find a sense of identity. He also provides Richard with good
nightly ritual by bonding through poetry. Richard would read his latest suggestions for his poetry writing and this helps Richard to improve.
poem aloud and Pa would give him ideas. Furthermore, Mr. Kilmer gave Richard information about the war and
Therefore, it can be seen that the novel portrays the theme of described the situation at the front, which caused Richard to mature and
family bonding very well. endure the effects of World War 1 on his neighbourhood.
As the story developed, so did the bond between Richard and
Exercise 3 Mr. Kilmer. Even when Richard used the same salutation of ‘Dear
In the novel, Dear Mr. Kilmer, 15-year-old Richard Knight sees the Mr. Kilmer’ in his letters to the poet, it had become more than just a
effects of World War 1 on his family, neighbourhood and personal salutation to him. It was addressed to someone important in his life and
friends. Not interested in hunting or sports, he wrote poems on the quiet had sentimental connections to him. Joyce Kilmer became someone
and kept it a secret even from his family. Doing this helped Richard close to his heart, a hero and a highly valued critic and teacher.
to cope with the changes in his daily life. He started a successful and As the story is centred on Richard and this correspondence, the
fruitful correspondence with the poet Joyce Kilmer until the latter’s title ‘Dear Mr. Kilmer’ is definitely most appropriate for this novel.
death in the war in Europe.
The novel portrays a few interesting incidents and one of the
incidents I disagree with is that of racial bullying by some residents 3 Sing to the Dawn
of Turtle Lake on the Schermer family. This is the time of World War
1 when the allied European powers fought against Germany. America
joined the allies in April 1917 until the war ended in 1918. The Schermer Enrichment Exercises
family was a German family who had lived in United States for many Exercise 1
years and were upstanding members of the community in Turtle Lake.
1. improving life
They ran a tavern and because of the war, the tavern was vandalised
2. gender inequality
with terrible things painted over the walls. Hannah Schermer’s book had
3. wins the scholarship
the words ‘Dirty Hun’ written on its cover.
4. expresses disbelief
These actions of the community and classmates were considered 5. a definite answer
as being patriotic. The Schermers were criticised for singing German 6. encourages her to move on
songs, conversing in German and serving German food. This was 7. the head monk dissuades
misinterpreted as plotting something and not wanting their neighbours 8. hurt ankle
to know about it. I feel that this is unfair as the Schermers were merely 9. things will not be the same
using their own language in their conversations. Singing German songs 10. a heavy heart
was not wrong as people cannot just turn off their whole culture. On top
of that, Otto, Hannah’s brother had joined the American Expeditionary Exercise 2
Forces because he was a patriotic American born in America and he 1. (a) There was a hushed expectancy in the classroom.
thought it was the right thing to do.
32
English SPM Answers
(b) They discuss about paying rent to the landlord with the sacks City and does not think it right for a mere girl to go in his place. He
of rice, ownership of the land and the rights of the landlord to accuses Dawan of taking her brother’s chance as he is second place
the land. after Dawan for the scholarship. Dawan talks frankly and openly with
(c) He announces that Dawan is the winner of the scholarship. her father and manages to convince him that she is capable of doing
2. (a) She tells the family she has won the scholarship and that something worthwhile with her education. He gives her permission to
there is only one winner. leave for the City. Another obstacle that Dawan faces is her feeling that
(b) Her father cannot believe it and refuses to accept the fact she might really be depriving Kwai of further education. However, Kwai
that Dawan won the scholarship instead of Kwai and will be is supportive of her. So, Dawan is able to have a new start or a new
studying in the City. He cannot accept this because he feels dawn as she sits in the bus taking her to the City.
that girls should not go for further education. The title Sing to the Dawn is appropriate as Dawan faces a new
(c) Kwai feels cheated but he holds up well and even teases dawn, a dawn to be treasured and she can sing about her new start.
Dawan that as the second place winner he still has a chance Knowing that nothing will be the same for her and Kwai after this, she
to go to the City. asks Kwai to watch and sing to the dawn for her. Kwai sings to her as
(d) She tries to get cousin Noi and the head monk in the temple the bus she is travelling in leaves the village for the City. So, it is literally
to help her. and figuratively, singing to the dawn.
3. (a) Bao
(b) (i) Consoles verbally by offering a should to cry on
(ii) Advises Dawan to have belief in herself and not to give Exercise 2
up her ideals The novel, Sing to the Dawn, tells of the frustrations and prejudices
(iii) Offers her to release a bird for free to symbolise she a young Thai village girl, Dawan faces when she wants to further her
should use the chance given her properly. education in the City. She has her early education in the village school
(c) Yes, I think it is successful as Dawan feels a rekindling and then wins a scholarship and has a chance for further schooling in
of hope and understands she should do whatever to stay the City school.
strong.
4. (a) The issue is that both of them want to go for further schooling Her brother, Kwai comes in second. Both Dawan and Kwai have
for the same reasons. great ideas about how they can use their education to improve the
(b) Kwai after deciding to accept the situation feels frustrated economic situation in the village. However, Dawn has better grasp of
and challenges Dawan about it being a wasted effort as her ideals. She knows that it is hard to change things, even the smallest
Dawan may end up as a housewife like their mother. things, without changing the overall pattern that these things are part of.
(c) Dawan feels confused about the future and wants Kwai to be As she puts it, there must be a whole order or a system with rules and
supportive and be happy for her. laws. She wants to study how the system works and moves and then
(d) The real cause is both will miss each other very much help to find a better one.
especially the things they have been doing together and as With the scholarship, Dawan will be able to get the necessary
Kwai says, ‘Nothing will be the same’. education to achieve her ideas and ideals. But, she faces the
5. (a) She has put Dawan’s new clothes and shoes on the matting. disapproval of her father who thinks that studying is not for girls and she
(b) She kneels down in front of grandmother with hands neatly should give the scholarship to her brother. The general feeling in rural
folded and head bent. Thailand is that girls do not require further education as ultimately, they
(c) She advises Dawan this is the first step to a new life and she will end up as housewives. Dawan refuses to give in and attempts to
should not be afraid to face the world with clear, bold eyes. get help from Cousin Noi and the head monk to talk to her father on her
behalf. However, both are not keen as basically they are also gender
Practices biased. Her moral support comes from Bao, a girl who sells flowers at
the marketplace.
Exercise 1
Finally, although she feels fearful, Dawan talks frankly and openly
The novel, Sing to the Dawn, tells of the frustrations and prejudices with Father about giving her a chance. She insists that if Father keeps
a young Thai village girl, Dawan faces when she wants to further her thinking that she will never be capable of doing anything worthwhile,
education in the City. She has her early education in the village school then of course she really will not be able to. So, in the end she manages
and then wins a scholarship and has a chance for further schooling in to convince Father to let her go for further schooling in the City.
the City school.
Most mornings, Dawan and her brother, Kwai get up early and they
go to the old wooden bridge that overlooks the rice fields. They sit in Exercise 3
companionable silence to watch the sun rise and the sunglow creep The novel, Sing to the Dawn, tells of the frustrations and prejudices
over the awakening world. Dawan feels the deep joy of a new day a young Thai village girl, Dawan faces when she wants to further her
radiate from her and she sings a song she made up herself. It is a song education in the City. She has her early education in the village school
of tribute to the dawn or a new day. and then wins a scholarship and has a chance for further schooling in
Dawan wins the scholarship which gives her an opportunity to study the City school.
in the City and start a new life away from her village. Dawan wants to The novel portrays a few themes and one of the themes is gender
use her education to improve the economic and social conditions in her inequality, which is the belief that males and females do not have equal
village. Economically, the poor farmers are bullied by the landlords and rights. Males are considered to be of a higher status than females and
they do not get much for all their hard work. There is gender inequality so should be given priority socially and economically. This practice of
as girls are not given equal rights. Dawan understands it is hard to gender inequality in the rural communities in Thailand is clearly seen
change things, even the smallest things, without changing the overall in Dawan’s village too. Girls should stay at home and do housework
pattern. As she puts it, there must be a whole order or a system with instead of going to school. Although Dawan is a year older than her
rules and laws. It has to be the dawn of a new day. So, her studies is brother, their parents had considered it foolish and wasteful to send girls
the mark of a new dawn and the title portrays this – Dawan sings to to school. She started school on the insistence of her brother.
the dawn. Winning the scholarship is Dawan’s chance to change the status
Dawan faces obstacles like her father’s disapproval who thinks quo of gender inequality. But, as Dawan puts it, “I’m a girl”, and others
that studying is not for girls. He is set on Kwai going for studies in the around her also emphasize “You’re a girl”. So, it brings out clearly the
33
English SPM Answers
problem of sexism. Initially, Kwai in spite of his broad ideals, becomes patience and obedience. She is caring of her siblings, for example, she
jealous of her and this causes a rift in the close relationship of the lets Kwai use the umbrella while she walks home in the rain with her
two siblings. This hostility is further exacerbated by Dawan’s father, hurt ankle. This action of hers touches Kwai and he makes up his mind
who feels that the City is no place for a female. Cousin Noi paints a not to contest with her for the scholarship.
bleak future for girls going to the City. The head monk in spite of his Determined and adamant, Dawan is confident and farsighted about
sensitivity tries to impress on Dawan albeit gently the same impression. bringing improvements to the present social and economic injustices
Eventually, Dawan overcomes Father’s objection only because Kwai through her further education. Having strong feelings about gender
is adamant that he does not want to rob his sister of her chance and inequality in rural Thailand, she is determined not to lose out just
rights. because she is a girl. She is adamant although as Father and the head
Bullying and physical abuse is another aspect of gender inequality monk put it, she ‘will be wasting her time and spirit’. So, with a strong
as portrayed by the actions of Vichai and Kwai towards Bao. Vichai sense of character, she clarifies with Kwai and Father to get their willing
as the brother of Bao has no hesitation about physically abusing Bao, acceptance for her to go to the City school.
his sister. He gives her stinging slaps in the open and nobody in the When Dawan becomes the object of her father’s anger and
marketplace attempts to help. Kwai defends her but when Bao accuses frustration and her brother’s challenger, she takes decisive steps to get
him of bullying Dawan, he tries to attack her physically too. outside help to convince Father. However, her efforts are fruitless and
The story shows gender inequality is a big problem and sets a so she tells Father decisively that she wants him to ‘open her cage door
good example of the need to exert one’s rights and beliefs. and allow her to soar off and do great things for them all’. She wins her
father’s approval as he tells her to go ahead and try.
Exercise 4
In spite of her ambitious nature, Dawan is appreciative of the moral
The novel, Sing to the Dawn, tells of the frustrations and prejudices support from her grandmother, mother and Bao. Grandmother tells her
a young Thai village girl, Dawan faces when she wants to further her not to be ‘scared all the time’ and not to be a ‘rabbit’ and calms her on
education in the City. She has her early education in the village school the day of her departure. Bao’s friendliness and encouragement help
and then wins a scholarship and has a chance for further schooling in to boost her determination. Most of all, she is appreciative of Kwai’s
the City school. understanding and for not challenging her for the scholarship.
Dawan, the main character has good character traits like being So, Dawan’s strong character traits are very important. They stand
loving, caring, patient and obedient. These traits made her a loving her in good stead in the fight to overcome the obstacles to let her study
daughter and granddaughter. Her parents are not in favour of her going in the City school.
to the City school but eventually they gave their full support due to her
34

FORM 5 (The New Literature Component) : Poems

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FORM 5 (The New Literature Component)

A Poison Tree by What Has Happened to

Captain Nobody by Sing to the Dawn by

1 A Poison Tree by William Blake

Paraphrase of the Poem

We should express We should make We should know that

Language and Style

(b) Describe a theme portrayed by the poem.

(d) ‘And into my garden stole’

(c) What is ironic in the development of the persona’s anger?

(d) ‘I was angry with my friend…my foe’

(d) ‘And I watered it in fears’.

(a) What is the poem mainly about?

(d) ‘And it grew both day and night’.

2 What Has Happened to Lulu? by Charles Causley

Paraphrase of the Poem

Parents’ and Feelings of

Concern for the Confusion about

Tone and Mood

(a) What does the open window signify?

(c) Explain a theme portrayed in the poem.

(d) ‘What has happened to Lu?’

(b) How do we know that the persona’s mother feels sad?

(c) What does the ‘curtain flapping free’ symbolise?

(d) ‘I heard somebody cry’

(d) ‘And say it is nothing at all’

1 Captain Nobody by Dean Pitchford

Newton feels strong and assured in his costume, and wears it to

Feeling steamed, Newton unintentionally shouts ‘Hit the showers!’

8. The teacher phones Newton’s parents to complain about his costume. ( )

2 Dear Mr Kilmer by Anne Schraff

Hannah Mr. Knight

Mrs Hansen Angie Knight

One afternoon in early August, Richard receives an emotional letter

At first, Richard is in anguish. Then, he calms down and writes a

Power of the Perils of war and

We should love the

We should accept the fact

3 Sing to the Dawn by Minfong Ho

Grandmother CHARACTERS School teacher

Dawan and Kwai are expecting the announcement of the exam’s

The school teacher discusses the issue of rent collection by the

Kwai is surprised at Cousin Noi’s discouragement. He tells Dawan

Dawan wants the head monk to persuade her father. At the

Looking to the Ideals versus

We should encourage and Do not take advantage of those

We should remember that

a definite answer expresses disbelief improving life gender inequality

3. Dawan and Bao

(b) Explain the three steps the person takes :

(ii) Words of advice :

(iii) Positive step :

4. Dawan and Kwai

(b) Kwai’s feelings

(c) Dawan’s feelings

5. What grandmother does:

(b) How does Dawan do the leave-taking with grandmother?

(c) During the leave-taking, how does grandmother advise Dawan?

These rescue adventures helped Newton, the main character a Exercise 3