 Parenting is another central theme in the novel insofar as we are introduced to a number of individuals who fail to take responsibility for their charges.Eva's father, Willy Trout, fails in his duty as a father when he ignores his daughter's education as well as her emotional needs and carries her around the world like baggage.Eva's mother also fails as a parent when she leaves her husband and daughter behind upon discovering the truth about Willy's homosexuality and his relationship with Constantine.