Why is my NSDictionary not initializing my specific keys and values when in my model, but works within my controller? - objective-c

Question

In this example my NSDictionary initializes with 0 key/value pairs, as shown in my debugger. It will initialize properly when I do the exact same thing in my ViewController but I would much prefer to stick to MVC design and have the NSDictionary in my model.
ShakespeareViewController.h
#import <UIKit/UIKit.h>
#interface ShakespeareViewController : UIViewController
#property (weak, nonatomic) IBOutlet UILabel *sonnetDisplay;
#end
ShakespeareViewController.m
#import "ShakespeareViewController.h"
#import "ShakespeareModel.h"
#interface ShakespeareViewController ()
#property (nonatomic, strong) ShakespeareModel *sonnet;
#end
#implementation ShakespeareViewController
#synthesize sonnetDisplay = _sonnetDisplay;
#synthesize sonnet = _sonnet;
- (IBAction)sonnetButton:(UIButton *)sender
{
self.sonnetDisplay.text = [self.sonnet grabSonnet:#"19"];
}
#end
ShakespeareModel.h
#import <Foundation/Foundation.h>
#interface ShakespeareModel : NSObject
-(NSString *)grabSonnet:(NSString *)atNumber;
#end
ShakespeareModel.m
#import "ShakespeareModel.h"
#interface ShakespeareModel()
#property (nonatomic, strong) NSDictionary *sonnets;
#end
#implementation ShakespeareModel
#synthesize sonnets = _sonnets;
-(NSDictionary *)sonnets
{
if (!_sonnets)
{
_sonnets = [[NSDictionary alloc] initWithObjectsAndKeys:#"19", #"19", nil];
}
return _sonnets;
}
-(NSString *)grabSonnet:(NSString *)atNumber
{
NSString *chosenSonnet = [self.sonnets objectForKey:#"19"];
return chosenSonnet;
}
#end
Any ideas on what I am doing wrong are greatly appreciated. I can't see why this wouldn't initialize with the object 19 at key value 19.

Answer 1

I don't see any place where you set the view controller's sonnet property to an instance of ShakespeareModel -- so when you call grabSonnet: you're sending a message to nil (and thus getting nothing back.
You should put self.sonnet = [[ShakespeareModel alloc] init] in your view controller some time before you call grabSonnet:... probably in the initializer or in -viewDidLoad.