# III explained — The Last Man

> Chapter companion for The Last Man by Mary Shelley.

## What happens

Adrian's love for Evadne is shattered when she falls for the worldly Lord Raymond, leading to Adrian's mental decline and withdrawal. Lionel Verney recalls his idyllic year with Adrian, who then arranges for Lionel to become a secretary in Vienna and for Perdita to stay with Evadne, setting Lionel on a new path in life.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Sacrifice

Adrian's love for Evadne leads to his emotional and mental ruin, while Lionel vows to devote his life to Adrian in gratitude.

### Ambition and Power

Adrian's republican ideals and Raymond's worldly ambition clash, highlighting different paths to influence.

### Isolation and Solitude

Adrian retreats into seclusion after his heartbreak, and Lionel's journey into the world marks a transition from pastoral solitude to society.

## Character check-ins

### Adrian

Suffers deeply from Evadne's rejection, his health and intellect decline, and he lives in seclusion.

### Evadne Zaimi

Falls in love with Raymond, becomes capricious toward Adrian, and eventually leaves for Paris.

### Lord Raymond

Returns from Greece; his worldly nature contrasts with Adrian's idealism, and he becomes the object of Evadne's love.

### Perdita

Witnesses Adrian's suffering and loves him as a brother; later becomes the pupil and friend of Evadne.

### Lionel Verney

Recalls his happy year with Adrian, accepts the position of secretary in Vienna, and vows to devote himself to Adrian.

## Key lines

> Raymond was formed the storm that laid waste at one fell blow the gardens of delight and sheltered paths which Adrian fancied that he had secured to himself, as a refuge from defeat and contumely.

Raymond became the destructive force that ruined the peaceful and happy life Adrian thought he had built as a safe haven from failure and disgrace.

_Introduces Raymond as the catalyst for Adrian's downfall._

> Life is not the thing romance writers describe it; going through the measures of a dance, and after various evolutions arriving at a conclusion, when the dancers may sit down and repose.

Life is not a simple, orderly progression like a dance that ends in rest; it is full of continuous action and change.

_Adrian's philosophical reflection on the nature of life, written in his despair._

> The young are seldom in Elysium, for their desires, outstripping possibility, leave them as poor as a moneyless debtor.

Young people rarely experience perfect happiness because their ambitions exceed what is achievable, leaving them feeling empty.

_Lionel's commentary on youthful ambition and the gap between desire and reality._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_last_man_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters