91 pages • 3 hours read
Caitlin Alifirenka, Liz Welch, Martin GandaA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Summary
“Caitlin: September 1997”-“Martin: November 1997”
“Caitlin: January 1998”-“Caitlin: May 1998”
“Martin: June 1998”-“Martin: October 1998”
“Caitlin: December 1998”-“Martin: April 1999”
“Caitlin: May 1999”-“Caitlin: June 1999”
“Martin: June 1999”-“Caitlin: December 1999”
“Martin: January 2000”-“Caitlin: February 2000”
“Martin: February 2000”-“Caitlin: September 2000”
“Martin: November 2000”-“Caitlin: December 2000”
“Martin: January 2001”-“Martin: April 2001”
“Caitlin: April 2001”-“Martin: July 2001”
“Caitlin: September 2001”-“Martin: June 2002”
“Caitlin: August 2002”-“Martin: September 2002”
“Caitlin: October 2002”-“Martin: December 2002”
“Caitlin: January 2003”-“Martin: April 2003”
“Caitlin: April 2003”-“Caitlin: July 2003”
“Martin–July 2003”-“Martin–August 14, 2003”
“Caitlin: August 15, 2003”-“Caitlin: October 2015”
Key Figures
Themes
Symbols & Motifs
Important Quotes
Essay Topics
When Caitlin receives Martin’s photograph in the mail, she is surprised that he has sent her such a formal image of himself. The photographs she has sent him are all of her and her friends. When she looks back on their correspondence, she is grateful for all the times he has listened to her without judgment, especially as she describes her conflicts with her friends. In hindsight, she admits that they feel small compared to what Martin experiences in his everyday life. She realizes that Martin avoids talking about his own life because he is trying to protect her from the hardships he experiences. She remembers once that he wrote to her, saying, “At our school we wear uniforms so our parents do not bother buying us as many clothes as you have. You are lucky” (86).
Toward the end of 1998, conditions continue to grow worse for Martin’s family. As Martin’s parents struggle to make enough money to sustain the family, Martin’s father has resorted to drinking more after work. This leads to more frequent arguments between Martin’s mother and father. One day, before an important exam at school, Martin’s parents get into an argument about not having enough money to pay for Martin to take his exam.