catch us if you can novel

1. 2003:
(a) Which character do you sympathise with in the novel you have studied?
(b) Explain why you sympathise with this character. Support your answer with evidence from the novel.
1st
paragraph
The character I sympathise the most in the novel, Catch Us If You Can by Catherine
MacPhail, is Rory. There are a few reasons I symphatise him.
Thesis
statement is
main focus of
your essay.
2nd
paragraph
The first reason I symphatise Rory is because he has to take care of his senile grandfather,
Granda despite his young age.
Evidence: This can be seen in the tasks Rory had to do in taking care of his grandfather.
Among them is he had to send Granda for checkups at Dr. Nicol’s clinic. Granda whined
about having to take a lot of medications but as for Rory, he had to make sure his
grandfather take them as Granda had a tendency to be forgetful. Another task he did every
day is to bring home lunch for Granda. He would sneak out from school during lunch time
and dropped by at the bakers for two hot pies. Granda relied on him to bring him his lunch
every day. Rory had to go home at lunchtime and make sure Granda take his pills.
Analysis: Considering the tasks Rory had been doing every day, I really symphatise him
as the tasks were quite daunting and challenging for a schoolboy like Rory.
Evidence 1: Another proof is when Mrs. Foley asked him to stay back during lunchtime to
complete his homework which he seldom submitted as Granda always had mistaken them
for garbage. Instead of obliging her instruction, he refused saying that Granda made his
lunch and would be waiting for him at home. He had to do this as Granda had taken care
of him all his life. Granda was getting old and forgetful and now it was his turn to look
after his grandfather.
Analysis: From here we can see that Rory was trying his best to be by his grandfather’s
side ensuring every need was taken care of. He was always worried for his grandfather’s
health and he could not imagine his life without Granda. I symphatise Rory as he had to
go through such trouble managing his time between school and Granda.
Evidence 2: Another proof is when Dr. Nicol offered to get Rory a home help as he
believed Rory was unable to do everything all by himself, like doing the shopping,
cleaning and cooking as he was only a boy. However, Rory had to turn down the offer
after Granda claimed to Dr. Nicol that he had been a good help at home. In Rory’s heart,
he thought having a home help would be a great idea as he did not have to worry about his
grandfather so much.
Analysis: From this evidence, we can say that Rory has to put up with Granda’s antics
which actually could get Rory in trouble. I really symphatise him because as a young boy,
he obviously could not take care of an old man.
Justification: Looking at all the evidences presented, it is undeniably true Rory is a
character I symphatise. The duty of taking care of an old man who could not look after
himself is not an easy task. I could not imagine myself in his shoes and I really
symphatise Rory for having to shoulder the responsibility at this age. If I were to face the
same situation like Rory, I hope I would be as patient as him and able to endure such tasks
like he did every day.
Topic
sentence 1
Topic
sentence is
like a mini
thesis
statement. It is
the main focus
of the
paragraph. It
has to be your
own original
reason. Not
yet a textual
evidence.
Now, it is your turn. Look up evidences to support the reasons. Analyse and justify them.
1

2. 3rd
paragraph
The second reason is the authority is trying to separate Rory from being together with his
grandfather.
Evidence : ________________________________________________________________
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Analysis : ________________________________________________________________
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Evidence : ________________________________________________________________
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Analysis : ________________________________________________________________
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Justification : ______________________________________________________________
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Topic
sentence 2
4th
paragraph
The third reason is Rory is facing a lot of difficulty to ensure Granda and him stay together.
Evidence : ________________________________________________________________
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Analysis : ________________________________________________________________
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Evidence : ________________________________________________________________
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Analysis : ________________________________________________________________
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Justification : ______________________________________________________________
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Topic
sentence 3
5th
paragraph
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Sum up
the whole
exercise
2