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Part 3: Martin, February 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, earlier in the year, Caitlin volunteered her family to host a German exchange student. She receives a bio about a student named Stephie.
Whereas before, Caitlin was a little dismissive of her German cousin Carola, she has grown from her relationship with Martin and now decides to open up even more by hosting a German exchange student.
Themes
Caitlin’s mom redoes Richie’s room for Stephie (since Richie is away at college). When Stephie arrives, however, she looks unhappy about it. She doesn’t unpack and says that back home she has a nanny and a maid to do these things.
As Caitlin finds out, however, good intentions don’t always work out as well as they do in Martin’s case. The exchange student Stephie is not open to new experiences, and this makes it difficult for her to communicate with anyone in Caitlin’s family.
Themes
Despite the bad first impression, Caitlin decides to give Stephie another chance. The next day, they go shopping at the mall, but it turns out shopping is all Stephie wants to do. She asks Caitlin’s mom to bring her breakfast in bed like a maid. Caitlin remains sulky for most of Stephie’s time in Pennsylvania.
While Caitlin herself sometimes misunderstands things because of her family’s relative wealth, Stephie takes this to comical new levels. Stephie illustrates how privilege can sometimes lead people to become oblivious to the world around them.
Themes
Meanwhile both Caitlin and her mom are worried about how long it’s been without a response from Martin or his headmaster. Eventually, Caitlin’s mom decides to send him a Western Union wire transfer for $100, but they don’t hear from him on the designated day. Caitlin’s mom sends a postcard to follow up.
Though Caitlin’s relationship with Martin is about far more than money, the amount of money that she sends goes up as her relationship with Martin deepens. Because Martin becomes like a family member to her, this shows how families provide not only emotional support but also often economic support.
Themes
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Two days after sending the postcard, Caitlin’s mom locates Martin’s headmaster. They manage to get him on the phone, and Caitlin’s mom promises to pay for Martin’s education and his siblings’ education as well.
Once again, kindness proves to be contagious: Caitlin’s mom expands on her original promise of paying for Martin’s education and decides to pay for his siblings as well.
Themes
