Catch Us if you can - characters in the novel

The different characters found in the novel :

Character	What They Do To Help	Why They Help
Darren	1. He helps Rory come with an excuse for Mrs.    Foley as to why Rory had not passed up his    homework. 2. He is a good listener and although he    conveys his mother’s messages / opinions    to Rory, he himself is worried about the    burden of responsibility that his dear friend    has to bear. 3.  Darren comes up with the solution that      Rory and Granda could ‘escape’ to his      mother’s secluded but comfortable      caravan when Rory knew he had to take his      grandfather away from Rachnadar. Rory      swears Darren to secrecy and in turn the      latter sneaks Rory the spare key of the      caravan. 4. Later, Darren texts Rory to warn him that     the police know where Rory and his     grandfather are and encourages him to run     away.	Darren Fisher is Rory’s best pal and genuinely likes Granda too.
Sammy	1.  When Rory and Granda have to leave the    first caravan, and are unable to run away fast because of Granda‘s health, Sammy comes up from behind to lead them out of the police search. He practically offers his help, leading them through the trees and bushes. 2. Sammy explains that the police would have got to Rory and Granda if he and Tyrone had not helped them instead. They had actually recognised them  after watching the television and decided that they would be the ones to help when it was needed.  3. Sammy understood Granda’s initial mistrust of them but he was willing to drive the camper van out of police scrutiny and move on to his brother’s place far south to Dundee. 4. At the railway station, Sammy gives Rory his mobile number and makes Rory promise that he will call Sammy if he needed anything.	A kind man, he wants to help the two of them escape the police and the media.
Annie and Rab	1.   Rab takes them under his wing when he    sees that Granda is unable to continue   driving the stolen car and allows them to   stay in his flat.  2. Rab is keen to get a doctor to look into  Granda’s health and reassures Rory that he  would (not) turn them in. 3.  It is Rab who first suggests to Rory that he   should go to Liverpool to meet his father. 4. When the police are looking for the stolen      car, Rab comes up with the idea of driving      to the border and to hand them over to his      girlfriend, Annie who would then take them      closer to Liverpool. 5. Annie later drives them to Norma’s house.	Rab is the petrol station attendant who recognises them and wants to help them. Annie is Rab’s girlfriend.
Norma and Nicola	1. Norma prepares a great dinner for both of      them. Nicola is adamant that the both of      them have done the correct thing. 2. Norma has agreed to drive them to      Liverpool. 3. Norma actually tells the police when she      realises that Rory’s dad has to know of their      whereabouts.  (What do you think of Norma, has       she done the right thing? )	Norma is Annie’s cousin. Nicol is Norma’s daughter.
Dr Nicol	1. Cares for Granda and provides him with the      necessary pills. 2. Is very concerned about Rory and about      how he has to care for his grandfather at      such a young age.  3. He is fond of both Rory and Granda – thinks      they are like “a doubleact”. 4. Tell Mister McIntosh that  he is indeed a      lucky man to have a grandson like Rory 5. He is concerned for both of them and was      going to do his best to get a home help.      Finally, he arranges for Val Jessup – a social      worker, to take care of the affairs of Granda      and Rory.	An old family friend and doctor who cares for Granda and is also worried for Rory and his responsibilities.
Val Jessup	1.  She is nervous about Rory living alone in the      flat after the fire mishap and so drives him      to the children’s home in Castle Street. 2. She takes Rory to the hospital to see his      grandfather but keeps her worries about      the latter’s health a secret. 3. Eventually, it is she who tells Rory that the      authorities have moved granda to the old      people’s home and that Rory, being young,      really cannot take the responsibility of          caring for his aged and unwell grandfather.  4. When Rory and his grandfather are on the      run, Val Jessup appears on TV to address      them, appealing  for them to get in touch,      stating that the authorities were only      worried abut them and that it was granda’s      health that was the main concern.	A social worker who, in her enthusiasm in her first case, really takes to heart about Granda and Rory.

edited from source : CDC

Catch Us if you can - moral values

Values in life

Values	Textual evidence
Family relationships and bonds must be appreciated and maintained.	No Rory, nothing’s changed. I’d rather be here in this cold bus shelter with you than anywhere else in the world. I want us to stay together as long as we can. Is that a deal? “It’s a deal Granda”
Communication is an important feature among friends and family members.	I wanted to tell him that I had done this for both of us, so we could be together, the way we were meant to be. I wanted to tell him that I would anything so we could be together. Anything. (Chap. 14).
Trust is a vital component in bridging generations.	“I’m getting you out of here.” My granda was like a little boy, allowing himself to be led, without a word, without a question. Safe in the knowledge that I would look after him.
Those we should trust may sometimes let us down; those we do not trust may sometimes be our friends in need.	“You will meet people who will help you. And there will be people you can’t trust. You’re looking for something, Rory, and when you find it, everything changes for you. ….And a terrible sadness will come first. ‘Because of that terrible sadness, Rory, you will find the thing you’re looking for.”

- source : CDC

Catch us if you can : Themes and evidence to support the themes

Themes	Evidence from the excerpts
1. Family and     relationships	1.       There was only Granda and me. Were the two of us enough to make a family? 2.        We still had each other (chap. 12) 3.       He can behave anyway he wants. He’s the best granda in the world. (chap. 12) 4.       ‘I’m only here till my granda gets out of hospital.’- ‘No grandson of  mine is going to Castle Street. Not when I’m alive.’
2. Growing up /        Adolescence	1.     My granda never forgot to take his pills; because I made sure he took them. 2.    ”OK, Big Man, I need some help here. I can’t do this on my own.”
3. Social and civic responsibilities	1.   People are kind Rory. I thought the whole world was going to the dogs, and then you meet kindness like this. It’s a wonderful world, Rory.’ 2.   A wonderful world – Passing us like the baton in a relay race. People who didn’t even know us, but who were willing to help anyway.
4. Social bias	1.  TV reporter - -  the question is how can an old man and a boy disappear like this.      The answer had to be that people are helping them out. The public are very much on their side.  2.  Ruby’s response: “People are taking sides about you, arguing about the rights and  wrongs of your case. That’s good. The more people who know your plight, the better chance of you staying together.”

Themes, values and characters...

Write down other themes and find words or evidence to support the themes

Themes	Evidence from the excerpts
1. Family and     relationships	1.       There was only Granda and me. Were the two of us enough to make a family? 2.        We still had each other (chap. 12) 3.       He can behave anyway he wants. He’s the best granda in the world. (chap. 12) 4.       ‘I’m only here till my granda gets out of hospital.’- ‘No grandson of         mine is going to Castle Street. Not when I’m alive.’
2. Growing up /        Adolescence	1.     My granda never forgot to take his pills; because I made sure he took them. 2.    ”OK, Big Man, I need some help here. I can’t do this on my own.”
3. Social and civic     responsibilities	1.   People are kind Rory. I thought the whole world was going to the dogs, and then         you meet kindness like this. It’s a wonderful world, Rory.’  2.   A wonderful world – Passing us like the baton in a relay race. People who didn’t        even know us, but who were willing to help anyway.
4. Social bias	1.  TV reporter - -  the question is how can an old man and a boy disappear like this?       The answer had to be that people are helping them out. The public are very much       on their side. 2.  Ruby’s response: “People are taking sides about you, arguing about the rights and       wrongs of your case. That’s good. The more people who know your plight, the       better chance of you staying together.”

ACTIVITY 10              : Values in life

Values	Textual evidence
Family relationships and bonds must be appreciated and maintained.	No Rory, nothing’s changed. I’d rather be here in this cold bus shelter with you than anywhere else in the world. I want us to stay together as long as we can. Is that a deal? “It’s a deal Granda”
Communication is an important feature among friends and family members.	I wanted to tell him that I had done this for both of us, so we could be together, the way we were meant to be. I wanted to tell him that I would anything so we could be together. Anything. (Chap. 14).
Trust is a vital component in bridging generations.	“I’m getting you out of here.” My granda was like a little boy, allowing himself to be led, without a word, without a question. Safe in the knowledge that I would look after him.
Those we should trust may sometimes let us down; those we do not trust may sometimes be our friends in need.	“You will meet people who will help you. And there will be people you can’t trust. You’re looking for something, Rory, and when you find it, everything changes for you. ….And a terrible sadness will come first. ‘Because of that terrible sadness, Rory, you will find the thing you’re looking for.”

ACTIVITY 15              : What a wonderful world

TASK A

Working in a small group, complete the table below:

Character	What They Do To Help	Why They Help
Darren	1. He helps Rory come with an excuse for Mrs.    Foley as to why Rory had not passed up his    homework. 2. He is a good listener and although he    conveys his mother’s messages / opinions    to Rory, he himself is worried about the    burden of responsibility that his dear friend    has to bear. 3.  Darren comes up with the solution that      Rory and Granda could ‘escape’ to his      mother’s secluded but comfortable      caravan when Rory knew he had to take his      grandfather away from Rachnadar. Rory      swears Darren to secrecy and in turn the      latter sneaks Rory the spare key of the      caravan. 4. Later, Darren texts Rory to warn him that     the police know where Rory and his     grandfather are and encourages him to run     away.	Darren Fisher is Rory’s best pal and genuinely likes Granda too.
Sammy	1.  When Rory and Granda have to leave the    first caravan, and are unable to run away fast because of Granda‘s health, Sammy comes up from behind to lead them out of the police search. He practically offers his help, leading them through the trees and bushes. 2. Sammy explains that the police would have got to Rory and Granda if he and Tyrone had not helped them instead. They had actually recognised them o TV and decided that they would be the ones to help when it was needed. 3. Sammy understood Granda’s initial mistrust of them but he was willing to drive the camper van out of police scrutiny and move on to his brother’s place far south to Dundee. 4. At the railway station, Sammy gives Rory his mobile number and makes Rory promise that he will call Sammy if he needed anything.	A kind man, he wants to help the two of them escape the police and the media.
Annie and Rab	1.   Rab takes them under his wing when he    sees that Granda is unable to continue   driving the stolen car and allows them to   stay in his flat. 2. Rab is keen to get a doctor to look into  Granda’s health and reassures Rory that he  would turn them in. 3.  It is Rab who first suggests to Rory that he   should go to Liverpool to meet his father. 4. When the police are looking for the stolen      car, Rab comes up with the idea of driving      to the border and to hand them over to his      girlfriend, Annie who would then take them      closer to Liverpool. 5. Annie later drives them to Norma’s house.	Rab is the petrol station attendant who recognises them and wants to help them. Annie is Rab’s girlfriend.
Norma and Nicola	1. Norma prepares a great dinner for both of      them. Nicola is adamant that the both of      them have done the correct thing. 2. Norma has agreed to drive them to      Liverpool. 3. Norma actually tells the police when she      realises that Rory’s dad has to know of their      whereabouts.	Norma is Annie’s cousin. Nicol is Norma’s daughter.
Dr Nicol	1. Cares for Granda and provides him with the      necessary pills. 2. Is very concerned about Rory and about      how he has to care for his grandfather at      such a young age. 3. He is fond of both Rory and Granda – thinks      they are like “a doubleact”. 4. Tell Mister McIntosh that  he is indeed a      lucky man to have a grandson like Rory 5. He is concerned for both of them and was      going to do his best to get a home help.      Finally, he arranges for Val Jessup – a social      worker, to take care of the affairs of Granda       and Rory.	An old family friend and doctor who cares for Granda and is also worried for Rory and his responsibilities.
Val Jessup	1.  She is nervous about Rory living alone in the      flat after the fire mishap and so drives him      to the children’s home in Castle Street. 2. She takes Rory to the hospital to see his      grandfather but keeps her worries about      the latter’s health a secret. 3. Eventually, it is she who tells Rory that the      authorities have moved granda to the old      people’s home and that Rory, being young,      really cannot take the responsibility of          caring for his aged and unwell grandfather. 4. When Rory and his grandfather are on the      run, Val Jessup appears on TV to address      them, appealing  for them to get in touch,      stating that the authorities were only      worried abut them and that it was granda’s      health that was the main concern.	A social worker who, in her enthusiasm in her first case, really takes to heart about Granda and Rory.

In your opinion, how is family responsibility portrayed in the novel Catch Us If You Can?

 

     Introduction

The Importance of Family: 
Sacrifices for family are honoured and explored, as are the family bonds that survive adversity.

Body 
 
Family responsibility in the novel is best displayed by Rory’s constant care of his grandfather. 

• Very early in age, Rory has realised that ‘there was only Granda and me’ to make up a family. Rory does not know any other family love since his father had left them when he was very young. Granda had taken care of him all his life and now, as Granda is getting old and forgetful, and is never quite well, it is his turn to look after him. 
•  
• Rory makes sure that Granda takes his pills, and often leaves school on time (sacrificing his game of football) to get hot pies for their lunch.
•  
• When Granda is sent to Rachnadar, Rory knows that he has to get him away from that place. Though torn with desperation at times ( Granda’s carelessness with the chip pan had landed him in hospital and Rory at Castle Street), Rory plans the Great Escape and gets him away from the hospital where they put old people in.
•  
• From now on, Rory is responsible in keeping Granda well and away from public scrutiny. Nevertheless, help comes in the most unexpected manner and it is also Rory’s responsibility to accept the help offered and to be with his Granda at all times.
• 
  
• As a young care-giver, Rory is bent on keeping his granda free, and away from Rachnadar. He also ignores others’ pleas to not take up the responsibility of caring for his grandfather. For Rory, it was important that he do everything he could for both of them so that they could be together, “the way they were meant to be.”

Conclusion

Rory, despite his young age, is also aware that if he does not take care of his Granda, the old man could be put into a home and what then will happen to Rory? Where would he go?  (Dynamics of family relationships)

Issues of Personal Development in the novel:

♦ Growing Up/Maturation/discovery of self

♦ Morality to guide one’s actions‐ defend what is right

♦ Adult or child relationship

               ♦ Support of other people

               ♦ Acceptance of self and others

               ♦ Respect for authority

                   ♦ Accepting responsibility

edited from source : CDC

catch us if you can - themes

Write down other themes and find words or evidence to support the themes

source : CDC material

Themes	Evidence from the excerpts
1. Family and     relationships	1.       There was only Granda and me. Were the two of us enough to make a family? 2.        We still had each other (chap. 12) 3.       He can behave anyway he wants. He’s the best granda in the world. (chap. 12) 4.       ‘I’m only here till my granda gets out of hospital.’- ‘No grandson of         mine is going to Castle Street. Not when I’m alive.’
2. Growing up /        Adolescence	1.     My granda never forgot to take his pills; because I made sure he took them. 2.    ”OK, Big Man, I need some help here. I can’t do this on my own.”
3. Social and civic     responsibilities	1.   People are kind Rory. I thought the whole world was going to the dogs, and then         you meet kindness like this. It’s a wonderful world, Rory.’  2.   A wonderful world – Passing us like the baton in a relay race. People who didn’t        even know us, but who were willing to help anyway.
4. Social bias	1.  TV reporter - -  the question is how can an old man and a boy disappear like this?       The answer had to be that people are helping them out. The public are very much       on their side. 2.  Ruby’s response: “People are taking sides about you, arguing about the rights and       wrongs of your case. That’s good. The more people who know your plight, the       better chance of you staying together.”