sample essay for SPM English Paper 2 Question 33, Novel

1. Is to fitina choice?
Based on the novel Dear Mr. Kilmer by Anne Schraff, to fit in is a choice. To fit in means to mix
and blendwithothers. Thisstatementisportrayedthroughthe characterof Richard,a teenage boy aged
15 from Knight’sfamily. He is the third child of three; having an elder brother and sister. In this novel,
there are situations where Richard chooses to fit in and not to fit in.
Firtsly,Richardchoosestofitinwhenitinvolveshisfamilyculture andtradition. Forexample,he
chooses to fit in for farming activity. He works hard at his father’s farm by plowing, planting, and
cultivating,aswell astakingcare of the animals. He loves doing those because that would give him the
chance to be at his father’s side hoping that he could be closer to him and to understand him more.
Besides that, Richard chooses to mix with the family members when they go for hunting. He
does try to fit in because it has been the family tradition since his grand father’s time. However, he
purposely misses the buck as he has his own view on hunting. He could not afford to kill innocent
creaturesas he thinksnoone has the right to take one’slife. Thatmeanshe joins the family hunting for
the sake of spending time together but not to do the killing.
In another situation, Richard chooses not to fit in when it is against humanity values. For
instance, he is the only one in his class to sign the card prepared by Mrs. Hansen. Although the rest of
the classmates are afraid of the threat from the troublemakers, Richard stiil signs the card. This is
because the card is to show sympathy and solidarity towards Hannah and the Schermer’s family after
theirtavernisvandalised. Inthe name of humanity,he understands their situation well and chooses to
fit in with the Schermers; not with his classmates.
In conclusion,itisalways upto ourconscience whethertofitinor notto fitin. Above all,people
have theirownjudgementonthingsthat they want to get involved with as long as they suit the values
of their tradition, culture and humanity.