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Part 3: Martin, November 2000
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 Pennsylvania, Caitlin is surprised that Martin’s photo isn’t as bright and colorful as she pictured. The photo motivates Caitlin, as well as her mom and dad, to send another care package.
Despite knowing Martin fairly well and following the news about Africa, Caitlin is still surprised by the poverty evident in Martin’s photo. The photo reveals that even though Caitlin has become more knowledgeable, she still has a lot more to learn.
Themes
That year for Christmas, Caitlin gets a car with the license plate “C8LIN.” In her next letter to Martin, she worries if she should tell him about the expensive gifts she received, but she ultimately decides that because he has been totally honest, she should be too.
The car that Caitlin receives once again highlights the difference between what Christmas means to an American girl like Caitlin and what it means to a Zimbabwean boy like Martin. Caitlin’s reluctance to tell Martin about the car shows a growing awareness of her own privilege and how it might make others feel.
Themes
Lauren has stopped teasing Caitlin about Martin. Meanwhile, Caitlin’s brother, Richie, moves back home because he was partying too much in college. Caitlin writes a new letter to Martin with some new photos and more cash.
Caitlin’s persistence has helped even people like Lauren grow up to be more open-minded. Meanwhile, Richie dropping out of college foreshadows one of the many ways that education will not always live up to the ideal of what it can be.
Themes
