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 learns about how much his friend Wallace is struggling at school in the United States. Wallace’s family in Zimbabwe is grateful for Caitlin’s family’s help, so they invite Martin to stay with them. Martin accepts and takes a two-day journey to meet them.
This is yet another instance of “contagious” kindness: Caitlin’s family’s generosity toward Wallace has led Wallace’s family to extend a similar generosity toward Martin. Though Wallace’s family isn’t wealthy, their support for Martin is valuable.
Themes
Wallace’s parents tell Martin about the help Caitlin’s family has provided to Wallace. They go to visit nearby Victoria Falls, and Martin is amazed by the landmark. The falls are a major tourist stop, and Martin sees more white people than he ever has before.
The tourists that Martin sees around Victoria Falls foreshadow what his experience will eventually be like in the United States. He is beginning to see more of the wider world.
Themes
Martin calls the U.S. embassy and is surprised to find that they already know him because of Caitlin’s emails. He makes plans to come to a pre-departure orientation for students studying in the U.S. (even though he hasn’t worked out how to pay for his education yet).
The fact that the people at the embassy know about Martin suggests that the embassy has a small staff and that there are not many people in Zimbabwe who are trying to travel abroad like Martin is.
Themes
At orientation, Martin learns about some of the cultural differences between the U.S. and Zimbabwe. For example, in the U.S., you don’t have to offer food to a roommate, whereas in Zimbabwe it is always customary to share if there’s food.
Although the story has highlighted many of the difficulties of living in Zimbabwe, this passage shows that there are also positive sides, and that many Zimbabweans tend to feel more connected to others in their community, as evidenced by the different customs around sharing.
Themes
Get the entire I Will Always Write Back LitChart as a printable PDF.
By July, Martin still hasn’t heard anything about a scholarship from Caitlin or her mom, but he sends them an email in all caps, trying to stay hopeful.
The fact that Martin tries so hard to appear hopeful suggests that on some level he is beginning to accept the possibility that his hopes won’t be fulfilled.
Themes
