Novel Dear Mr Kilmer- Form 5 (Moral Values)

Moral Values

• Courage and resilience
• Diligence and perseverance
• Truth, integrity and honour
• Rationality and moderation
• Patriotism
• Compassion and understanding

Novel Dear Mr Kilmer- Form 5 (Themes)

Themes

• The challenges of growing up
• Love, understanding and family relationships
• Humanity and friendship give us hope
• Life is full of surprises and ironies
• Where there is prejudice, there is no reason

Novel Dear Mr Kilmer- Form 5 (Setting)

Place:

• Iowa, America - a farm at the countryside of Turtle Lake County
• Richard's home
• School
• Hannah's home
• War trenches in Europe

Time 

• World War 1 (1914-1918)

Social

• Lower middle class (farmers)
• Upper middle class (teachers, Schermers)

A Poison Tree Poem - Extra Exercise

1. What happened when the persona told a friend that the persona was angry with him?


2. What do you think the apple represents?


3. Which word in the poem means 'to move quietly without being noticed'?


4. The persona in the poem is angry with a friend. If you were the persona's friend, what advice would you give him or her?


5. In stanza 1, which word in the poem means 'terrible anger'?


6. In stanza 2, how did the persona tend to his plant?


7. Identify a phrase in the poem which effectively describes the silent, cunning scheming of the persona.


8. In your opinion, who is the real victim in this poem- the persona or the 'foe'? Give a reason for your answer.



P.S. Please comment below if you have any query about these questions. Thanks.

Exercise - A Poison Tree Poem - Form 5

1. Why did the persona's wrath end when he told his friend about it?


2. What happened when he did not tell his foe?

3. How did the persona nurture his wrath?


4. Why is 'and' repeated three times in stanza 2?


5. What type of literary device is used in 'soft deceitful wiles'? Why?


6. What does the poem's title suggest about the content?


7. In your opinion, what is the persona really doing in stanza 2?


8. How could the foe possibly know that the 'apple bright' belongs to the persona?

Messages and Moral Values - A Poison Tree Poem - Form 5

Messages

Do not suppress negative feelings
- We must resolve the issue if we have negative feelings like anger.
- Remaining silent about our anger only makes us bitter and even evil.
- Suppressed anger is dangerous as it can have a destructive effect on society.


Moral Values

• Truthfulness
• Forgiveness
• Rationality
• Moderation

Themes of A Poison Tree Poem - Form 5 literature

Themes

• Suppressing anger 

Anger should be addressed because it can lead to destructive consequences for both the angry person and his victim.

• Importance of communication

Communication is important in any relationship, more so if one cannot get along with someone or has a grudge.

• Deception and self-deception

People are often deceived by outward appearances.

• Patience, self-restraint and moderation

The persona does not portrays patience as he refuse to make peace with his enemy by talking about his anger.