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Part 3: Caitlin, January 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 Zimbabwe, Martin hears from the postman that he has a large package waiting for him at the post office. He asks Nation for help carrying it.
The large package is clearly Caitlin’s, but Martin builds suspense in order to convey how he felt on the day he received it.
Themes
Martin waits until he gets the box home to open it. His whole family is amazed by the contents. Martin’s sister Lois has never had candy before. One of the gifts is a Walkman with Ricky Martin’s “La Vida Loca,” which they play loud enough for the whole family to hear. Martin’s mother gets real shoes for the first time.
Although the items in the package would have been relatively common in the United States, for Martin and his family, they are exotic treasures. Perhaps the most important gift is the shoes for Martin’s mother. Her lack of shoes illustrated how some people go through life without things that others consider basic necessities. They also caused her to face prejudice, since her lack of shoes was a visible sign that she was poor.
Themes
At Caitlin’s request, Martin makes plans to talk to her on the phone (using the local post office phone). He writes a long, appreciative letter from the whole family and uses the art supplies Caitlin sent to decorate it.
The planned phone call marks the next step in Caitlin and Martin’s relationship. A phone call is more immediate than a letter or photo and represents the first time they’ll be able to communicate in real time.
Themes
