The Last Mapmaker

Rian Prasomsap is the story’s antagonist. Her character approximates two archetypes within the Hero’s Journey paradigm. The first is the shadow—the conventional villain who exists to create conflict and oppose the protagonist. The shadow often mirrors the hero in some way, showing what the hero might become if they give in to temptation or take the wrong path. Rian claims to have risen above her circumstances, and this makes Sai admire her greatly, for achieving a higher social status is her own greatest desire. Rian uses this illusory sense of camaraderie to tempt Sai into betraying her true friends and values in order to achieve her ambitions. The second archetype that Rian embodies is therefore that of the temptress, also known as the shapeshifter: a character who blurs the line between friend and foe. Just like the archetypal shapeshifter, Rian presents herself as Sai’s ally, only to betray her at a critical moment and become her enemy.

Rian is characterized by her ability to fit into both lower and upper classes and to be eagerly accepted by both. She ingratiates herself with everyone through charm and flattery—playing cards with the crew, calling Sai “little sister,” and even giving succor to the dishonored sailor by sneaking her a piece of bread. Rian claims to be motivated by a desire for honor and glory, telling Sai, “I want to do something with my own [life]. Something real and something big” (138). Her true motives, however, are revealed by her lack of trust in others. For example, she doesn’t trust Sai to keep a copy of her map, for she suspects that the girl will sell it to make a profit. Because her own desire for profit outweighs any sense of loyalty, she suspects others of operating according to similar motives.

Captain Sangra, who calls Rian “reckless” and hungry “to earn a name for herself” (273), also reveals Rian’s true motivation. She says of Rian, “She hates me for having what she can never have” (273). Rian’s bitterness toward the Sangra family for denying her the honor of their name, and her jealousy of all that their influence affords them, suggests that she is motivated by a subconscious desire for revenge. Ultimately, Rian’s character is complex but static. She does not transform over the course of the novel; instead, her transformation lies in others’ shifting perceptions of her.

Paiyoon Wongyai is Mangkon’s Master Mapmaker. He is revered for his skill and artistry. As “the last mapmaker of his kind still working in An Lung” (9), Paiyoon is the inspiration for the book’s title, and he is also Sai’s mentor. Aside from officially serving in this role by taking Sai on as his apprentice, Paiyoon embodies the mentor archetype in every respect, for this conventional role is defined as an older, wiser teacher who often serves as a father or mother figure to the hero. Additionally, the mentor often gives the hero unique gifts and acts as a role model for the hero’s conscience. Paiyoon becomes a father figure to Sai in the novel’s denouement, for he provides her with a place to live in Mud’s absence. During the journey, he also gives Sai his special and potentially magical eyeglass to help her face the challenges that await her, and his stories and lessons guide the development of Sai’s moral compass as he teaches her about the devastating effects of imperialism.

Paiyoon is characterized as a kind, fair man with a gruff exterior. His values are hinted at through subtext even in the novel’s earlies chapters, as when he tells Sai, “The kingdom is drowning in glory as it is. But you are right. This mission is vitally important” (54). He rejects the Mangkon society’s veneration of glory in the form of conquest and domination. Eventually, Paiyoon reveals that for him, the expedition is an opportunity to prevent the empire from exploiting additional lands and causing further destruction. In the past, his maps have enabled such imperialist expansion. He says, “I cannot change the path behind me, Sai. But I can chart a new course ahead” (233), illustrating the message that it’s never too late to do what’s right. As Sai’s mentor, Paiyoon teaches her about the Imperialist Implications of Exploration and Discovery. Paiyoon’s faith in Sai, and his unwavering loyalty to her in the face of her betrayal, make him an honorable mentor and a steadfast friend who is heroic in his own right.

Mud is Sai’s father. His nickname is a shortened version of his last name, Mudawan, and his given name is never revealed. As a confidence man who has addictions to both gambling and alcohol, Mud’s negligent parenting has garnered Sai’s bitter resentment. She longs to get away from him and his influence because he represents the lowly social status to which society’s class system has shackled her. As with Rian, the arc of Mud’s character is defined by Sai’s changing perceptions of him. She isn’t afraid of her father, but she is ashamed of him and is weary of the limited life he has made for them. However, when she finally does escape his influence, she begins to see him differently. For example, her memory of Mud’s actions on her sixth birthday demonstrate his intentions to make his daughter happy and give her a better life, even though his array of character flaws cause him to fail. Additionally, seeing a baby whale in captivity helps Sai to realize that her father wasn’t fired from his slaughterhouse job; instead, he quit because his tender heart broke at the sight of such cruelty. Her newly favorable impressions of her father are further bolstered when she learns that Mud selflessly saved Grebe’s life in jail, even though it meant enduing a broken leg and a longer sentence.

Early in the novel, Mud represents everything that Sai wants to escape. In a society dominated by ancestry, Sai feels like her father has given her nothing but hardship, and she wants nothing to do with him. As she faces new challenges, however, it is clear that Mud’s lessons benefit her, even if Sai is unable to see it. For example, he paid a tutor to teach Sai to read and write, and he taught her how to protect herself from assailants. He also taught her the importance of loyalty. Despite his many flaws, Mud’s character demonstrates the humanity in even the lowliest of Mangkon’s citizens.