The Last Man · Chapter
Chapter IV explained
The chapter describes the chaotic and sorrowful preparations for emigration from England amid a violent storm that floods Dover, the death of Idris and Lionel's grief, his retrieval of Lucy Martin after her mother's death, and the subsequen
What happens
The chapter describes the chaotic and sorrowful preparations for emigration from England amid a violent storm that floods Dover, the death of Idris and Lionel's grief, his retrieval of Lucy Martin after her mother's death, and the subsequent journey to Paris where the emigrants fracture into rival factions, nearly coming to armed conflict before a leader intervenes to prevent bloodshed.
Themes in this chapter
Grief and Memory
Lionel's profound remorse and sorrow over Idris's death, and Lucy's ritualistic mourning for her mother, dominate the chapter.
Isolation and Solitude
Lucy is described as 'the lone survivor of a dead nation' and the emigrants face a desolate, dying world.
Social Class and Equality
The emigrants in Paris split into factions based on rank and power, leading to conflict that threatens the survival of the last humans.
Characters to notice
- Lionel Verney
Narrates the chapter; experiences grief over Idris's death, retrieves Lucy Martin, and leads the emigrant group.
- Idris
Recently deceased; Lionel mourns her and mentions her orphaned children.
- Lucy Martin
Found watching over her mother's corpse; Lionel convinces her to leave and care for Idris's children.
- Adrian
Leads the emigrants; inspects steamboats at Dover; absent during the Parisian strife.
- Clara
Mentioned as having swollen eyes from weeping; part of the traveling party.
- Evelyn
Infant whose gaiety is shadowed by the absence of his mother Idris.
Key passages
“I saw her, and anger, and hate, and injustice died at her bier, giving place at their departure to a remorse (Great God, that I should feel it!) which must last while memory and feeling endure.”
Upon seeing Idris's dead body, Lionel's negative emotions vanish, replaced by a lasting remorse for his past treatment of her.
Highlights Lionel's guilt and the transformative power of grief.
“A fearful reality recalled me from the thought—a figure lay stretched on the bed covered by a sheet—her mother was dead, and Lucy, apart from all the world, deserted and alone, watched beside the corpse during the weary night.”
Lionel finds Lucy alone in a room, keeping vigil over her mother's corpse.
Emphasizes Lucy's isolation and the stark reality of death.
“One word had been sufficient; and there the last of mankind would have burdened their souls with the crime of murder, and dipped their hands in each other’s blood.”
The three armed factions in Paris nearly started a battle that would have resulted in the last humans killing each other.
Illustrates the absurdity and danger of internal conflict amid extinction.