1. Gus enlists in the army after graduating, against his father's wishes. His father is angry and worried that Gus will be killed like his brother was in the war. 2. In a letter, Mr. Kilmer tells Richard that many poets are fighting in the war and several have already died, including the American poet Alan Seegar. He encourages Richard to continue writing poetry to carry on their legacy, since poets are important to the world. 3. Richard is saddened to learn from Hannah that Mr. Kilmer has died, though he had told Richard that poets were too important to die in battle.

1. DEAR MR. KILMER
BY: ANNE SCHRAFF
SUMMARY OF CHAPTER 9
1. Aftergraduation,Gustellshisfatherthathe has enlisted.Hisfatherisshockedandunhappy.
2. Gus tellshisfathernotto worryas he istoo toughand smart to be killed. His fatherisangry and
grumble thatGus alwaysrunsaway fromfarm workwithexcuseslike sportsandnow,the war.
He isactuallyafraidof losingGus inthe war like hisbrother.
3. Gus walksaway,frustrated. Richardtriestocalm him, butGus tellshimthattheirfatheris
disappointedwithbothof them. Guswill notbe a farmer,Richardis alwaysdreamingand
thinkingof poems.
4. The nextmorning,Gusridesto Sioux Citywithhisfriendtocatchthe nexttrooptrain. His father
remainssilent,andRichard worriesthathe mayneversee Gus.
5. Summerisgoodwitha lotof crops for Richard’sfather. But Richardisnot happyworkingwith
himbecause he issilentandbitternow. RichardconfidesinAngie abouttheirfatherbutshe tells
himthat theirfatheris justworriedaboutGus and he isnot the talkingtype.
6. For relief andcomfort,Richardvisitsthe Schermerswheneverhe canand writespoetry. InJuly,
he sendsa newpoemto Mr. Kilmer.
7. In August,RichardreceivesMr.Kilmer’sreply. He writesthathe misseshisfamilyandhis
comradesare dyinginthe trenches. He iswritinga poemtitled“The Rouge Bouquet”, which
may be hisbest. He alsoencouragesRichardto readthe worksof greatpoetsand continue
writingpoetrywhenpoetslikehimdie fighting because poetsare importantinthisworld.
8. Richardwritesback to Mr. Kilmerthathe will nevergive upwritingpoetry. He alsoasksMr.
Kilmerwhatpoetsandpoetrydoto make the worldbetter.
9. Richardwants to mail hisletterrightawayat the post office. Onthe way,he stopsat Hannah’s
house. She tellshimthatMr. Kilmerhasdied,buthe istoo shockedtodie.
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2. Exercise Chp. 9
1. In thisextract,whoare the “severa”l whohave diedinthe war?
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2. What doesthe phrase “Fall in battle” mean?
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3. ExplainwhatMr Kilmermeanswhenhe tellsRichardto“Pickupthe torch and carry iton”.
Give a reasonfor youranswer.
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4. WhydoesMr. Kilmerwantyoungpoetslike Richardto“Pickupthe torch andcarry iton”
whensoldierswhoare poetslike himdiefighting?
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Many poetsare fightingoverhere andseveral have died –includinganAmerican,
AlanSeegar. Whoknowshow many more the worldwill lose inthe daysahead?
Thismakesyour owngiftforwords all the more precious,Richard,foryouare the
nextgenerationof poets. If we whofight, fall inbattle,youmustpickupthe torch
and carry it on – for poetsplaya veryimportantpart inthe world.
(“DearMr Kilmer”byAnne Schraff (2015): p. 116)