In "The Last Book in the Universe," a character reflects on the plight of a feral child who has grown up without parental care or the guidance that shapes humanity. This child lives akin to an animal, lacking language and expressing thoughts through images rather than words. Such a condition highlights the profound impact of neglect and absence in early development, leaving the child disconnected from human society.

Lanaya's amazement at the child's state is met with Ryter's somber acknowledgment of a harsher reality. He notes that the child's situation is not unusual within their world, indicating a troubling trend of increasing feral children in the latches. This conversation underscores the broader themes of abandonment and the loss of communication in a society that may be failing its most vulnerable members.