"News from Home"

1. What is the function of the letters in _News From Home_?
At first, I thought that the letters that were being read was just one in the same letter. I just kept hearing the lines "write as often as possible...we have not received a letter from you or heard from you...or I'm sorry I was not able write back to you the same day...". But as the movie went on, I was able to clearly make out some details of the other letters as she was reading them. "Congratulations on her new job...everyone is doing well...received a letter from the little girl". My thoughts on this is that from reading the letters from home are for her to gain strength and courage and to reconnect in a way with her loved ones back home that truly love her and care for her. She is new in the city of New York, trying to make it as an artist and possibly not able to easily find a way to make a living. She roams the city looking for work and at the same time trying to adjust to the new environment that is different from what she has known. So the letters I think give her that extra drive to go on and pursue her dreams as an artist. She wants to prove she can make it on her own but at the same time she still needs the support of her family. She did find a job and the last part of the film I saw seems like she is in a vehicle on her way to the new job.