NUR INSYIRAH BINTI RAZAK

5 ALKHAWARIZMI

QUESTION NO 4

The writer describes the main character a very determined person. Using the details from the novel that you have studied, write about: 1) some instances that show the character’s determination. 2) How the determination affects his/her family. (SPM 2006)

The novel Catch Us If You Can by Catherine MacPhail is about Rory, a young boy who is still schooling. Rory lives with his grandfather called Granda who is senile and keeps forgetting things. Rory has to take the responsibility to take care of his Granda after his father left them when he was a child. He really loves his Granda too much. But, the authorities decide to separate them with Rory who is sent to a children’s home at Castle Street whereas Granda is sent to an old folks’ home at Rachnadar. Rory is very determined to run away with Granda so that they can live together again.

From the novel, there are some instances which show that Rory, the main character, is a determined person and his determination affects some people in his life. Rory as a young boy demonstrates true grit and determination to look after his grandfather. Rory is determined to care for Granda, his grandfather, alone in the absence of home helps and he never hesitates to make sacrifices, such as missing out on the school football team. Being determined, from the beginning, Rory makes sure that his grandfather is taken to the doctor for medical checkups and makes certain that Granda takes his pills because his grandfather is having lapses of memory which causes Granda to forget things at times. Rory also makes sure that Granda has his meals on time which he buys from the bakery every day during his lunch time. His care and determination causes his grandfather to love, appreciate and adore him.

Rory is also very determined when he did not compromise his grandfather’s welfare with anything else by taking him out of Rachnadar, and infirmary which his grandfather hated to be place. He ran away from an orphanage in the Castle Street and had a great escape with his grandfather. He was very determined to make their escape a success by planning with his good friend, Darren. Darren who felt pity and encouraged by Rory’s determination, gave him the key to his mother’s caravan after they fled. Granda too was affected by Rory’s determination. He knew he had to be strong so that they could be together. Granda was very sickly but he endured the pain of his wheezing when they were escaping from the authorities and the discomfort of the cold when they had to leave the warmth of someone’s home.

Great Escape became very arduous and tough at times. The police were always after Rory and his grandfather .There was a wide TV coverage on both of them. However, Rory and Granda were determined to pull through. They knew they would be together as long as they continued to run. Rory had also made friends with many people in his journey and those people could see his determination to always be together with his grandfather. Therefore, those kind-hearted friends helped both of them in

many ways. Sammy and Ruby helped them at their own risk and only reluctantly let them go when they knew the police were after them for helping Rory and Granda. Rab, the owner of the petrol station, also made clear that Rory should seek out his estranged father in Liverpool. So, he lined up a group of people who could help Rory and his grandfather. As a result of his determination too, in the end, Rory could meet with his father and save his grandfather from the tragic situation.

In conclusion, Rory is the epitome of determination. Granda may annoy him with his irritating habit but never once does Rory think that he is better off without his grandfather. Rory’s determination has affected many people around him in a good way especially his grandfather, his newfound friends and his own father who finally comes to his rescue and takes him and Granda into a new promising life. I hope I will be a determined person like Rory so that I can face all the challenges in my life.