A Critical Analysis of The Last Time I saw Mother

By Arlene J. Chai

I. Synopsis
Caridad was summoned home by her mother, Thelma. Worrying that it was
something very important for her mother never wrote to her before, Caridad immediately
left Sydney to go back to the Philippines.She thought her mother had heard of her
separation with Jaime and was problematic how to explain the situation to her relatives.
Upon her arrival to their house, Caridad immediately proceeded to her
mothers room. There Thelma told her, that she was not her real mother. Caridad was
shocked and was asked by Thelma to talk to two other personsher Tia Emma and her
cousin Ligaya.
Caridad obeyed what Thelma had told her. She went first to Emma to listen to
her story. She told her of her life before marrying her father, Alfonso; how the first years
of their marriage had passed; the story of his siblings while at the time of the war; and
her birth after her fathers death and how she ended up with Thelma.
After her meeting with Emma,Caridad went to Ligaya to listen to another story
in a different point of view. Ligaya was angry to their Tia Thelma for bargaining Caridad
in exchange of sustaining their familys needs. She found out from her eldest sister what
their father was like and how he was so fond of his first child.Ligaya also shared some
of her frustrations to Caridad, of how she gave up her piano and music inclination
because of the familys financial problem and how the piano that their father had given
to her was sold without her consent.
Last but not the least, she heard the story of the woman who brought her up,
Thelma. Thelma told her of her life with Caridads known father, Raoul. They had
difficulty in having a child. One day, his father came home with a baby boy in his arms.
He convinced Thelma to have the child, which she apparently accepted. Later on, she
found out that the child was, indeed, her husbands and left him after knowing the truth.
But she went back, caring for the child again until the death of the child because of
meningitis. The couple was again left childless, until Caridads father died and Thelma
saw this as an opportunity to have the newly-born Caridad because her sister have
nothing to sustain the child and her other childrens needs. In return of their silence and
transaction, Thelma provided for the needs of Emmas family.
Carrying with her the truth about her identity, Caridad returned to Sydney,
determined to patch up things with Jaime. She did save their marriage and one Sunday

morning, Caridad received the news of Thelmas death which she took lightly for her
mother had a smile on her face and looked like peaceful and happy in her sleep.
II. Theme
No matter how hard you hide the truth it would find a way to reveal itself.
Sometimes sacrifices were made to save a greater number of people.
Forgiveness sets you free---free from burden, free from anger, and free

from guilt.
The family makes a person complete. Without it, she/he would reach
her/his beings totality at all.

III. Technical Analysis

A. Characters
Caridad the adopted daughter of Thelma
Jaime Caridads husband
Marla Caridads daughter
Thelma Caridads known mother
Raoul Caridads known father
Mia Ligayas sister; Caridads closest friend
Emma Caridads aunt and sister of Thelma; her biological mother
Alfonso Emmas husband; biological father of Caridad
Ligaya Caridads eldest cousin; daughter of Emma
Enrique Ligayas husband
Raouls mother