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Part 2: Caitlin, May 1999
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in I Will Always Write Back, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Kindness and Generosity
Friendship
Family
Education
Summary
Analysis
In Zimbabwe, Martin is excited to get a new letter from Caitlin. He is amazed to find a U.S. $20 bill—with inflation, it’s worth even more than it was before and should be enough to get Martin back to school. He is glad that Caitlin doesn’t seem to be disappointed in him.
Martin is rewarded for his correspondence with Caitlin in a way that he could never expect. His own kindness—of making sure to write back to Caitlin even though it came at great personal expense—is repaid.
Themes
Martin’s mother is shocked by the gift but grateful. She and Martin immediately head to the bank, where they get the money exchanged with no problem. On the way back, Martin’s mother buys a chicken to celebrate. Martin’s family normally only eats chicken on Christmas, but they haven’t even had chicken for the past couple Christmases. The whole family tries to keep Caitlin’s gift a secret, so they don’t become a target for robbery.
Though Caitlin’s gift is a boon to the whole family, it also makes them a potential target for thieves. While other parts of the book emphasize the communal nature of living in Zimbabwe, desperate situations can motivate people to act selfishly, and the economic and political situation in the country is about to get worse.
Themes
Martin has missed a lot of school, so he stays after class to catch up. He is happy to do so, and within a month, he’s back on track.
Martin is lucky to be such a fast learner; his situation turns out well, but it also highlights how other promising students could fall between the cracks if they ever have trouble making tuition payments.
Themes
