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Part 4: Martin, July 2001
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 has never heard of malaria until she hears about it from Martin. Caitlin tries to send medicine to Zimbabwe but finds out that doing so is illegal. She finds out that her grandmother has been prescribed quinine, which is used as a treatment for malaria.
The fact that Caitlin has never heard of malaria before illustrates another way that she is privileged in comparison to Martin. Though she wants to help, she once again finds that sometimes even with good intentions, it is difficult to find the right way to help someone, especially when they’re far away.
Themes
Meanwhile, in school, Caitlin learns that she has to wear close-toed shoes, ideally steel-toed boots, in one of her wood-working classes that is required if she wants to work in mechanical drawing (Caitlin’s current plan). Caitlin talks with a guidance counselor, who tells her that if she wants to stay in mechanical drawing, she’ll have to take other classes with uniform requirements too. Caitlin decides to find a new career.
As adult Caitlin narrates the actions of her younger self, she has a sense of humor about how she used to make major life decisions over seemingly minor details. Caitlin doesn’t necessarily fault her past self, however, since it was this same sense of spontaneity that led to her forming her relationship with Martin.
Themes
A few days later, Caitlin sleeps in and makes it to school just in time. Things seem strange that day, and on her way to third period, she sees a teacher crying in the hallway. She learns in fourth period that two planes have crashed into the Twin Towers in New York City. Richie runs into her classroom and tells her that she has to go; Caitlin’s mom wants them home. Caitlin’s dad is at a military base, and the whole family is worried that something might have happened to him.
For Caitlin and Martin, one of the most significant aspects of September 11th is the tighter travel restrictions, which will make things more difficult for Martin to eventually come into the United States (particularly after sanctions are imposed on Zimbabwe). The event is also significant for Caitlin because it is one of the first times she has to worry about one of her parents instead of the other way around; while it turns out that her dad is fine, for a brief moment she experiences something similar to what Martin did when his mother had malaria.
Themes
Eventually, Caitlin’s mom gets a call from Caitlin’s dad—he was stuck on the base because it was red alert and there was no cell reception. Richie realizes that if there’s ever a draft, he’ll have to go. Caitlin thinks of Martin and writes to tell him what happened with the terrorist attacks.
One of the other effects of 9/11 is that Caitlin gets a better understanding of how Martin feels. She is used to reading about terrorist attacks in Africa, but when one happens close to her, she gets a better sense of the reality of living with violence.
Themes
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