Novel- Guideline to Answers & Sample Answers

CATCH US IF YOU CAN- GUIDELINE TO ANSWER + SAMPLE ANSWERS

1) Characters – Close relationship

Using details from the novel you have studied,

• describe a close relationship between two characters

• explain why you would consider them to be very close Support your answer

with close reference to the text.

GUIDELINES

• Name the novel and the author that you have chosen

• Choose and write the names of two characters from the story • Describe

their close relationship

• Explain why you would consider them to be very close

SAMPLE ANSWER

In the novel “Catch Us If You Can” by Catherine MacPhail, Rory McIntosh and

his grandfather share an inseparable bond.

According to Rory, they are “like a double act”. His father abandoned his

mother and him, so when his mother died, he was taken care of by his

grandparents. The death of his grandmother had left him with his

grandfather. He called him „Granda‟ and Granda had looked after him all his

life and now it was his turn to look after Granda. However both of

them were incapable of looking after themselves because Granda was too

old and sick while his grandson was too young to shoulder the responsibility

of looking after himself and his forgetful and sometimes disorientated

Compiled by: SIrizal for English Panel SMKSG

grandfather. Whatever the difficulties, Rory and Granda refused to be

separated. Rory argued that sending Granda to a home would kill his

grandfather and forcing him to stay in a children‟s home would be

unbearable. That showed how close they were and how emotionally

dependent they were on each other.

Rory loved Granda so much that he was prepared to make a lot of sacrifices

for the old man. He let go the chance to be in the school football team

because he needed to look after Granda. He had to run home from school

during lunch break to bring Granda lunch. On several occasions, Granda had

unwittingly „lost‟ or „misplaced‟ Rory‟s homework and that had earned him

the wrath of his teacher, Mrs Foley. Besides all these, he had to think of the

little precautions to take to keep Granda out of harm. Still, he did not want to

part with his Granda who would have been better off in an old folks‟ home.

Granda felt the same also. The bond between the two was a special one.

However, events took a decisive turn when Granda accidentally caused a fire

in the kitchen of their flat. Granda was taken to hospital and then to

Rachnadar, a home for the elderly. Rory ended up in Castle Street where he

met the troubled Tess and fought with her.

He was miserable there. Granda fared no better at the home. Rory felt that

they had been cheated by his social worker, Val Jessup. He plotted on the

run while the police launched a hunt for them. The news of the runway pair

was everywhere on television but they managed to evade the police with the

help from sympathizers along the way. They suffered a lot of discomfort

while on the run and the old man‟s condition worsened but they seemed

happy. Being together has become a source of strength to them. They were

finally persuaded to go and see Rory‟s long-lost father, Jeff McIntosh, who


had been traced to Liverpool as a result of the publicity. But before they

could do this, Jeff came for them. They ended up together again, and this

time in a flat near where Jeff and his new family lived. Jeff was finally ready

to assume responsibility for his father and his son.

Rory and Granda were inseparable. It looked as if only death could separate

them. Nothing mattered as long as they were together.

2) Theme - Happiness

Using details from the novel you have studied, write on the theme of

happiness. Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

GUIDELINES


• Choose evidence from the novel which relate to the theme of happiness •

State the characters

• Explain what the characters do to be happy

SAMPLE ANSWER

In the novel „Catch Us If You Can‟, Rory McIntosh has been living with his

grandfather since he was a young boy. On the surface, this arrangement

such as theirs cannot be a happy one because Granda is old and sick while

he is too young to be able to look after himself, let alone his forgetful and

sometimes disorientated grandfather. Granda would have been better off at

Rachnadar, a home for the aged where his needs will be taken care of by

professionals and Rory would have been able to lead a more normal life at

Castle Street Children‟s Home. But they refuse to be separated. Despite the


difficulties, they are happy together. In their own obstinate way, they are

guarding their right to be together and be happy.

However, when Granda causes a fire in their flat, the social worker assigned

to them takes Granda to Rachnadar while Rory goes to the Castle Street

home. Rory is upset and so is Granda. Rory believes the home is killing his

Granda. Then, Rory decides to run away from the home, „rescue‟ his Granda

from Rachnadar and they would run away from all these meddling people.

They are on the run for several weeks and the television is full of news about

them. A

massive search is launched for them. Ironically, while on the run, they

experience some of the happiest moments of their lives, with the help of

sympathizers like Darren, his best friend who steals his mother‟s caravan

key to let them hide temporarily, Sammy and Ruby who shelter them when

the police close in on them. Then, there are the sympathetic petrol station

operator, Rab and his girlfriend, Annie. Their run comes to an end when

Granda becomes ill

and causes concern to Norma, Annie‟s cousin who is helping them to get to

Liverpool to find Rory‟s father. She calls the police. All‟s well that ends well

when McIntosh‟s long-lost son, Jeff, who is also Rory‟s father comes for

them. He is ready to assume his responsibility as a son and father.

Rory and Granda are basically searching for happiness whether as a

stubborn pair fiercely defending their rights to stay together in the flat in the

face of insurmountable problems or whether as runaways, oblivious to the

frenzy they are causing through their actions. They sincerely believe that


they are looking for happiness. After all, nothing matters as long as they are

happy because life is a quest for happiness.

3) Title of the story

“The title suits the story perfectly”

Using details from the novel you have studied, discuss whether you agree

with the statement above. Give reasons for your answer. Use evidence from

the text to support your answer.

GUIDELINES

• Read and understand the statement given


• Explain how the title suits the story

• Use evidence from the novel to support your answer

SAMPLE ANSWER

The title of the novel “Catch Us If You Can” by Catherine MacPhail is simple

and catchy that suits the novel perfectly because it captures the actions of a

grandfather and a grandson who cause a frenzy when the police launch a

massive search for them. The grandfather has run away from an old folks‟

home he hates and the grandson has escaped from a horrible children‟s

home.


The title has the semblance of a challenge to the people tracking down the

pair. It sounds cheeky, insolent and child-like and it reflects the character of

the runaway pair. The grandfather, suffering from age-related ailments can

be childish and does not realize the implications of what he has done. In his

pursuit, he has caused bodily harm to a youngster who recognizes his

grandson, Rory, from the news on television and wants to turn them in.

Then, he steals a car to get away. All these can be considered criminal but

he is happily nonchalant or ignorant of all the legal implications. His

grandson and accomplice, Rory, is a child who knows no better. The

expression „If You Can‟ is not only tongue-in-cheek, but also suggests that

tracking them down can be difficult. One would think it would be easy to

catch them but it is not. Although what they are doing is unbelievably crazy,

they have earned the sympathy of

many people along the way and this has helped them to evade the police for

so long. First, Darren, Rory‟s best friend, plans the first lap for them when he

steals his mother‟s caravan key for them to hide out while they think of a

better plan after they leave the homes.

Then, they meet Sammy and Ruby who offer them help as the police are

closing in on them. Next, there is Rab at the petrol station who gives them a

respite and convinces them that they should go and find Jeff McIntosh,

Rory‟s father, in Liverpool because it is time for him to do something „in his

whole useless life‟. After that, there is Annie, Rab‟s girlfriend, who hands

them over to her cousin, Norma. Norma finally brings the whole saga to an

end when she decides to call the police because she can see that the old

man really needs medical help.


The title suits the story perfectly because it is a story about a grandfather

and a grandson on the run. It is also a reflection of what the story is – the

police are not looking for regular criminals but just two ordinary people

whom the police do not want to apprehend but to protect and keep out of

harm.

4) Character – Decision made

Using the details of the novel you have studied.

• describe a decision made by any one character in the novel

• do you think the decision was a wise one?

Support your answer with evidence from the novel.

GUIDELINES


• Choose a character from the story

• State the decision made by the character you have chosen

• Give your opinion whether the decision made by the character you have

chosen wasa wise one


SAMPLE ANSWER

In the novel „Catch Us If You Can‟ by Catherine MacPhail, I would choose the

decision made by Rory, when he decided to get Granda out of Rachnadar

and run away.


After the death of his mother, Rory lived with his grandparents. When his

grandmother died, his grandfather, whom he called Granda, looked after

him. Rory and Granda were very close to each other that they had become

inseparable. When Granda became sick and his memory began to fail, it was

Rory‟s turn to look after Granda. One day, Granda accidentally set fire to

their flat. This brought the authorities to step in. Finding Granda and Rory

incapable of taking care of each other, they sent Granda to an old folks‟

home, while Rory was sent to a children‟s home in Castle Street. The

authorities had no choice but to do this for the safety of both Granda and

Rory. Granda might pose a danger not only to himself and Rory but to those

around him.

Rory felt he was wrongly torn away from his Granda. Furthermore, Rory knew

that Granda hated being in Rachnadar, the old folks‟ home, and Rory himself

hated it in Castle Street. So he made the decision to run away with Granda

so they could be together.

I can understand Rory‟s position but I do not see it as a wise decision. In the

first place, he was too young to make a huge decision like this. At his age, he

should have thought about school. He should realize that he was incapable of

taking care of his old and sick grandfather. Granda was too old and frail to go

on such a challenging and demanding journey. Moreover, Granda needed his

pills to sustain him. Besides, Rory did not know where he was going to.

Where could they go when they had no place and no one to care for them?

Rory, too, asked himself the question whether it was a wise decision. People

may say that those who love each other must stay together but this is based

only on emotion. I think Rory made the decision because he had no one else

in his life. It was not only because he loved Granda so much, but also


because he did not know how to live without his Granda because all this

while, Granda was always there for him.

To make decisions, we must be objective. We must think rationally. Seeing

the unpredictability of things and the health condition of Granda, and Rory‟s

immaturity, I strongly feel that Rory made an unwise decision in running

away.

5) Theme – Forgiveness/Reconciliation

Using details from the novel you have studied, write on the theme of

forgiveness OR reconciliation.

Support your answer with close reference to the text.

GUIDELINES


• State the characters

• Choose the events from the novel which highlight the theme of forgiveness

or

reconciliation

• Explain what the characters do to show forgiveness

• Support your answer with evidence from the novel

SAMPLE ANSWER

In Catherine MacPhail‟s „Catch Us If You Can‟, Rory has been cared for by

his grandfather whom he calls Granda for as long as he remembers.


According to Granda, his own father was a spoilt brat of a boy; just

mentioning him would make Granda angry. He grew up to be someone who

did not appreciate what he got and left Rory‟s mother who later died of

heartbreak. And that was when the senior McIntosh decided to cut all ties

with his son. He is adamant that the only son he had is Rory and he can very

well take care of the boy.

The irony of the situation is, Rory has been looking after his Granda who is

not well and needs medications for all sorts of ailments. As a result, Rory has

to look after him, take him to the doctor, prepare his lunch and make sure he

takes his medicines – all too big a responsibility for a young boy like him.

Despite the difficulties, both Rory and Granda refuse to be separated, as any

solution would entail sending the old man to a nursing home and the boy, a

children‟s home.

However, after Granda accidentally sets fire in their flat, he is sent to

Rachnadar, an old folks‟ home and Rory to the children‟s home in Castle

Street. They cannot bear being separated. Rory takes Granda out from the

home and both go on a run. Soon, the police is looking for them. News about

them appears on the media. Rory and Granda manage to

evade the police because they get help from people who sympathize with

them along their journey.

Investigations reveal that Rory‟s father, Jeff Mcintosh is in Liverpool and they

are advised to go and see him. While on their way to Liverpool, Granda

becomes too sick. The police is informed by one of the people who helps

them, Norma, who feels that the old man needs immediate help. Jeff, with

the help of the authorities, arrives to take his father and his son with him.


Both father and son are reconciled and Rory finds his long-lost father. Jeff is

ready to take on his responsibilities as a son to his father, Granda, and as a

father to his son, Rory.

The story ends with a reconciliation between the ageing and ailing father and

the son he has vowed to disown, Jeff. As for Rory, it is a happy reunion with

the father he has never known.

6) Important Lesson/Lesson learnt/Moral Values

From the novel you have studied, what is the most important lesson you

have learnt? Support your answer with close reference to the text.

GUIDELINES


• Think of a lesson you have learnt after reading the novel

• State the characters and the hardships they go through that have an

impact on you

• Explain how the story affects you


SAMPLE ANSWER

From the novel „Catch Us If You Can‟ by Catherine MacPhail, an important

lesson I learnt is to be persistent and determined when facing challenges.

Often, persistence leads to better results than losing hope easily. Two

characters in the novel, Rory and Granda, handled challenges with

determination. Rory knew that he must be strong and determined in order to


withstand the rigours of the escape. There was never a time he felt like

giving up and turning in to the police. It was the strong sense of

perseverance that helped him bear all the hardships. It was the same with

Granda. When things got difficult, he was even more persevering even

though it was hard for a man his age to be on the run. He knew he needed to

be strong so that he could be together with Rory.

The escape got very arduous and tough at times. The police were always

after Rory and Granda. There was a wide TV coverage on them. But Rory and

Granda were determined to pull through. They knew they would be together

and not be separated as long as they continued to run. From the way they

went through their escape, I learn that challenges should be dealt with

determination. One must not easily give up hope and accept defeat. As long

as one has the chance, one must keep on going till success is met.

7) Characters – Problems in characters

The characters in novels often face problems. Some solve their problems but

some do not. Using information from the novel you have studied, show how

• one character solves his/ her problems

• one who does not solve his/ her problems


GUIDELINES


• Choose a character, state his/her problems

• Explain how the character solves his/ her problems


• Choose another character and state his/ her problems

• Explain why the character fails to solve his/her problems

• Suggest what the character should do to solve his/ her problems


SAMPLE ANSWER

It is true that characters in novels often face problems. Some manage to

solve their problems but some do not.

In Catherine MacPhail‟s „Catch Us If You Can‟, a character who manages to

solve his problem is Rory. His apartment is burnt down due to Granda‟s

carelessness. He is then forced to part with his Granda. He is sent to stay at

the children‟s home in Castle Street, and Granda is sent to the old folks‟

home in Rachnadar. Being very close to Granda, Rory can see that Granda is

miserable at the home. Rory can sense that Granda has lost interest in

everything and it breaks Rory‟s heart to see Granda like that.

So, Rory comes up with a plan to run away with Granda. He knows, by doing

so, he can always be together with Granda. As long as they are on the run,

they will be together. It can only be for a few days or a couple of weeks, but

to Rory and Granda, their time together is precious.

On the other hand, Tess, a girl whom Rory meets at the children‟s home,

fails to solve her problems. She has a sad life. Her mother is in prison and all

her relatives reject her. Being homeless and unwanted, she is sent to Castle

Street. Instead of making the best of her life there, she worsens it by

becoming a bitter, angry and violent person.


Her violent outbursts become so bad that she loses control of herself and her

actions. She injures others, making them keep away from her. She fails to

make friends and so, remains lonely and friendless. She cannot overcome

her loneliness and sense of rejection. If she had chosen to be more positive,

she would probably have made some friends who can help her instead of

feeling rejected and unloved.

8) Moral Values/Lesson learnt

From the novel you have studied, write about an important moral value you

have learnt. Support your answer with close reference to the text.

GUIDELINES


• State an important moral value you have learnt after reading the novel

• State the characters and the events where the moral value you have learnt

is

emphasized


SAMPLE ANSWER

From the novel „Catch Us If You Can‟ by Catherine MacPhail, an important

moral value I have learnt is that family relationships should be nurtured and

not taken for granted. Granda looked after Rory after Rory‟s father walked

out on them. Since Granda was old and forgetful, Rory took it upon himself to


look after Granda. Nobody forced or told him to do it but Rory felt it was the

right thing to do. He was willing to forego things that teenage boys should be

doing. He did all the household chores, made sure Granda took his

medication and had his meals. He even kept Granda‟s pipe to make sure

there wasn‟t any untoward incidents. Granda and Rory did not take their

relationship for granted. Granda, on several occasions, had expressed

appreciation to Rory for always being there for him while Rory felt proud to

have Granda as his grandfather. Rory was protective and defensive of

Granda.

They nurtured their relationship right up to the end even when they had a

family, Jeff and Karen.

Sammy, Ruby and Tyrone also showed a strong family relationship. Sammy

and Ruby were free and easy but respectful with each other. Ruby would

tease Sammy and vice versa. But, when it came to making decisions, Ruby

left it to Sammy, showing him respect as the head of the family. Tyrone was

respectful and obedient to his parents, Sammy and Ruby.

All in all, I have learnt from the novel that family relationship should be

nurtured and not taken for granted as family happiness and stability depend

on this positive attitude.

9) Plot – Personal Response

From the novel you have studied, write about the plot of the story and state

what you think of the plot.



GUIDELINES


• State the main characters and the important events in the story • Give a

brief summary of the story

• Give your opinion of the plot of the story

SAMPLE ANSWER

Catherine MacPhail‟s novel „Catch Us If You Can‟ revolves around a

teenager, Rory, and his grandfather whom he calls Granda. Rory and Granda

are on an escape adventure from their hometown to Liverpool because they

do not want to be separated from each other. They have cared for and

looked after each other for a long time and with Granda getting on

in years and becoming forgetful, Rory takes over the responsibility of looking

after Granda on his own initiatives.

One day, when their flat caught fire due to Granda‟s carelessness, both Rory

and Granda are placed in a children‟s home and an old folks‟ home

respectively. Granda is badly affected as he becomes withdrawn and lost.

Rory knows that Granda is slowly dying in Rachnadar, so he decides to run

away with Granda. Rory and Granda make the great escape but with no

destination in mind. They only want to be free and to be together. They

spend a few happy carefree days at the caravan site. When the police catch

up with them, Rory and Granda are helped by Sammy who gives them

shelter.


Their journey is a struggle to stay free. Strangers help them all the way,

giving them shelter and making safe plans for them. Rory has doubts about

whether he is doing the right thing. All doubts are dispelled as Granda looks

happy even when he is exhausted.

Eventually, Rory decides they would travel south to Liverpool and look for his

father, Jeff McIntosh. Granda objects and rages about this when he realizes

what Rory‟s plans are. The climax of the story is when Granda almost loses

his life in the cold bus shelter. After that, they end up in Liverpool. It is a

happy ending as they meet up with Jeff and become a family again. The plot

runs in chronological order. The reader can follow Rory and Granda‟s

interesting and sometimes heartbreaking journey from their hometown to

their final destination. Rory as the narrator projects a solid account of their

thoughts, feelings and gives good descriptions of the setting. The approach

makes it easy for the reader to understand and appreciate the story. I think

the plot is simple and relevant to our society where young people tend to

forget their obligations to the old.

10) Characters – Interesting Character

Who is the most interesting character in the novel that you have studied?

Give reasons to support your answer.

GUIDELINES

• Name the novel and the author that you have chosen. • Name the

character that you consider interesting.

• Explain the role of the character in the novel.


• Give evidence from the novel to support your comments. • State your

opinion again.

SAMPLE ANSWER

In the novel „Catch Us if You Can‟ by Catherine MacPhail, I think Granda is

the most interesting character in the book.

Reading through the novel, I found out that he was a caring and kind

grandfather to Rory. The fact that Rory was to return the favours implies that

Granda must have been a good man and good grandfather. His love for Rory

is absolute. Also, Granda finds it hard to bear that Rory has to be in a home

and wants to get out of hospital to take Rory home. This shows how much he

cares for Rory.

Granda is also a charmer. It is because he easily compliments others

especially women not only for the looks but also for their talents as he

praises Ruby for her cooking. All the times he remains the perfect

gentleman, like opening the door for the young mother at the clinic.

Other than that, he is quite a fascinating character. He knows a lot about

films and film stars. His love for movie stars makes him even name his son

and grandson after some film heroes of his time. Also, he loves singing and

has no inhibitions about singing some old songs, however badly, in front of

others.

With all the above, I believe that Granda must be an interesting and

remarkable man.


11) Incident – Changes The life Of A Character

Based on the novel that you have read, write about an incident that changes

the life of a character in the story. Give evidence from the novel that you

have studied.

GUIDELINES

• Name of the novel and the author you have chosen. • State the incident

you have chosen.

• Give reasons why you think this incident changes the life of the character.

• State your opinion again on the importance of the incident to the life of the

character.

SAMPLE ANSWER

In the novel „Catch Us if You Can‟ by Catherine MacPhail, an incident that

changes the life of the character is the great escape that Rory and Granda

undertake. Rory decided to run away from the town he lived in after taking

his Granda out of the local old folks‟ home. The escape took them to many

places and they met many different people who

helped them on their journey. Rory learnt valuable life lessons from meeting

all the different people. From the travelers, he learnt about compassion and

kindness. From Rab, Annie and Norma, he learnt about people who offered

help sincerely and treated them kindly. Also, Rory‟s life would never be the

same again. It was because, his father turned up to help him and Granda.


Finally he had a father, a stepmother and two adorable stepsisters. He had a

family and that was a life-changing moment from him.

Rory was worried about his Granda earlier but then he didn‟t have to. It was

because things started to fall into places for him. Certain services provided

for the elderly made life better for him and Granda. The escape exposed

some of the problems that the elderly and their caretakers faced in the

course of their daily life.

With all the above, I believe that all those changes would not have taken

place if not for the great escape.

12) Moral Values/Lesson learnt – Impressed Most

Using the details of the novel you have studied,

• Write about the moral value that has impressed you the most. • Give

evidence from the text to support your answer.

GUIDELINES

• Name the novel and the author that you have chosen. • Name the moral

value that you have learnt.

• Give examples from the novel to support your answer. • State your opinion

again

SAMPLE ANSWER

In the novel „Catch Us if You Can‟ by Catherine MacPhail, I learn about

compassion for fellow human beings. Many characters exhibit compassion

for each other and act in a kind manner because of their compassionate

nature.


Rory and Granda care for each other and there is compassion in their

actions. For example, Rory cares for his grandfather‟s well-being. For

instance, he makes sure his Granda takes his medicine. Moreover, he always

rushes home from school to ensure Granda takes his lunch. Moreover, Rory

protects his Granda from anything he considers bad,

offensive or dangerous. Rory even keeps Granda‟s pipe to make sure there

isn‟t any untoward incidents. Granda tries his best to help Rory and

unfortunately makes mistakes, but there is still compassion. He strongly says

that no grandson of his is going to a home for as long as he is around.

In addition, Dr Nicol insists that Granda and Rory get a home help. This is

because he believes that Granda and Rory are not capable of taking care of

each other. Val Jessup, the social worker, also shows compassion. She shows

enthusiasm to help Rory and Granda. When they are on the run, Val Jessup

pleads on television for Rory and Granda to come home. The police and the

nurse also act compassionately towards Granda and Rory. They are affected

by the dilemma of an ageing man who is so dependent on a young boy and

therefore do what they think is the best.

Besides, Darren, Rory‟s close friend offers his mum‟s caravan to them

because he cares for Rory and Granda. He warns them about the arrival of

the police.

With all the above, I believe that we must be compassionate to people. This

quality keeps us humane and make the world appear kinder and the troubles

bearable.

13) Personal Response – Decision made by character


In the novel you have studied

• Pick any one decision in the novel made by someone or some party that

you disagree • Explain why you disagree.

Support your answer with evidence from the novel.

GUIDELINES

• Name the novel and the author that you have chosen. • State the decision.

• Give reasons why you disagree with the decision. • State your opinion

again.

SAMPLE ANSWER

In the novel „Catch Us if You Can‟ by Catherine MacPhail, there is one

decision in the novel that I disagree with. It is the one taken by the

government to separate both Rory and his grandfather.

Rory and Granda are very close and each depends on the other for love and

comfort. They are family, a “double act” and one cannot survive without the

other. When Granda accidently starts a fire in the flat, the State makes a

decision to put him in a home because he may endanger himself and others.

I was so mad with the State.

I can understand that the State has the interest of Rory and Granda at heart

when it makes this decision. But, what makes me disagree is that it regards

them as only a “case” on which it needs to act, not as people with feelings. It

is because each citizen has a right to run his or her life the way he or she

wants to without outside interference. Unfortunately, it did not happen that

way.


In addition, no discussion has been held with Rory and Granda how best to

solve the problem. When the two run away, however, the police go after

them as if they are criminals. As a person interviewed on a television rightly

said, the police are wasting their time hunting down an old man and a young

boy instead of chasing criminals and fighting the gun culture. The way the

State tackled the situation pissed me off.

As a conclusion, people should be treated with greater respect and

compassion and not like “cases” to be solved.

14) Theme – Faith in God

“Faith in the God is essential”.

Using the evidence from the novel, explain how this is shown in the novel

you have studied. Support your answer with close reference to the text.

GUIDELINES

• Name the novel and the author that you have chosen.

• State the character who conveys this message.

• Give examples from the story to support your answer.

SAMPLE ANSWER

In the novel „Catch Us if You Can‟ by Catherine MacPhail, “Faith in God is

Essential” is one of the messages in the story.

Rory‟s prayers are in the form of warm and friendly conversations with God,

which he addresses as „The Big Man‟. Rory is a character who has faith in

God. Rory promises to be good and do good things if „The Big Man‟ would


make Granda wake up when he sees his grandfather‟s face pale, his mouth

open and he is hardly breathing. In addition, Rory believes that „The Big

Man‟ wanted him to escape as things go smoothly. Rory promises to collect

money for the Salvation Army if „The Big Man‟ keeps Granda safe. Rory tells

„The Big Man‟ that they both are having great time and Granda is no trouble

at all.

The other evidence that resembles Rory as a person who has faith in God is

when he and his grandfather did not crash since Granda cannot drive well.

Due to that, he believes that „The Big Man‟ is looking after him.

As a conclusion, prayers play a vital role in keeping Rory‟s spirit up and

prove that faith is essential in life.

15) Theme - Love, Compassion and Family Relationship

“Love, compassion and family relationship are important in one‟s life.”

Using the evidence from the text, explain how this is true. Support your

answer with close reference from the text.

GUIDELINES

• Name the novel and the author that you have chosen. • Discuss the

different aspects of love.

• Give your views with examples from the text.

SAMPLE ANSWER

Catherine MacPhail put the elements of love, compassion and family

relationship in her novel, „Catch Us if You Can‟. From the beginning to the

end of the story, those three elements hold the story together.


The love between generations shows that love is continuous and never

ending. For example, Rory‟s love for his Granda is unconditional and vice

versa. He is ready to sacrifice anything so that he remains united with his

grandfather. The grandfather, in turn, has devoted his life to bring up the

child from birth and his whole life revolves around him.

Love in a family and the power of love among family members are also

portrayed in this story. For example, Sammy, his wife, Ruby and son Tyrone

portray a warm and loving family. Besides that, Bernie, his wife and daughter

are equally warm-hearted and helpful. Rab and Annie are loving and caring

too.

Love and respect among Rory‟s friends also keep him from troubles. They

look upon Granda with great affection. Darren, the one who is the weakest in

the class, shows much compassion for Rory and helps him as much as he

can. Mrs. Foley also shows sincere, love and care for Rory. She shows her

concern towards Rory when Granda is admitted into the hospital. She

realizes that Rory should not be in the children‟s home.

As a conclusion, the concept of the elements of love, compassion and family

relationship bring beauty to the story.


Documents

Novel- Guideline to Answers & Sample Answers