The Last Samurai

DeWitt depicts parenthood as a challenging and relentless duty. Sibylla’s inner struggle is revealed when she exclaims, “[i]t is my duty as a mother to be cheerful, & so it is clearly my duty to watch a work of genius & abandon Advanced Angling & composition” (77). This passage underscores the innate difficulties of being a mother, as she grapples with the weight of responsibility and the need to prioritize her child’s well-being over her personal pursuits. Sibylla’s dedication to her role as a single mother is evident when she laments, “[w]hat kind of childhood is this for a child?” (97). Despite her tireless efforts, she still carries a sense of inadequacy, highlighting the constant parental struggle to provide the best for their children. Sibylla’s anxieties manifest in a metaphor of being a “monster of spikes & wire” (158), revealing the self-doubt and identity crises that parenthood can provoke. As she grapples with how much to encourage or discourage Ludo’s genius, Sibylla faces a moral and ethical dilemma. By presenting the challenges of parenthood, DeWitt explores whether a more fulfilling and successful parent-child relationship could be born outside the confines of traditional roles and familial and biological structures.

The sacrifices and compromises that parenthood entails are further exemplified when Sibylla reluctantly tutors Ludo in areas that she has no desire to revisit. She muses, “I did not want to go over the long vowels & diphthongs. I don’t want to go over them now” (106), but she has to for Ludo. This illustrates the demands of parenthood in which parents find themselves doing things they do not want to do solely for the sake of their children’s development. Moreover, Sibylla also faces judgment and criticism from others regarding her parenting style, as she receives comments like, “I think you are making a terrible mistake” (110). This highlights the societal pressures and unsolicited advice with which some parents have to contend.

Amidst the difficulties, the novel also beautifully portrays the profound love between a mother and her child, as seen in the heartwarming moment when Sibylla kisses Ludo “four or five thousand times” (160). This love and affection reflect the deep emotional connection that parenthood can bring, despite its inherent challenges and sacrifices. Ludo also acknowledges his mother’s efforts, as he mentions, “[e]verything I know about delicacy I learned at my mother’s knee” (216). This highlights the enduring influence of a mother’s guidance and the values instilled in a child through the nurturing bond of parenthood. At the same time, the intensity of this bond emphasizes the weight of Sibylla’s responsibility for “everything” Ludo knows and for kissing him to a hyperbolic extent.

This theme extends to Ludo’s persistent yearning to know his father, a desire driven by his mother’s reluctance to reveal any details. Ludo’s curiosity about his father’s origins is evident when he questions Sibylla on their way home, listing various nationalities, to which she responds with a resounding, “No” (115). Ludo’s frustration and determination to uncover his father’s identity become increasingly pronounced as he admits trying all week to find his father’s name, but “Sibylla will not even tell [him] the first letter” (172). This exemplifies how Sibylla’s reluctance to disclose information about his father becomes a source of conflict within their parent-child relationship. Moreover, Ludo’s rejection of his biological father leads him to question the concept of parenthood. Disappointed by his biological father’s lack of intellect, Ludo embarks on a search for replacement fathers. He realizes that he can choose or even have multiple fathers, opening up the idea that successful parenthood may lie outside the structures that society attempts to dictate to Ludo. The novel does not include a resolution regarding Ludo’s search for a father figure, highlighting the challenges of building strong parental relationships.