The Last Man

“When I stood on my native hills, and saw plain and mountain stretch out to the utmost limits of my vision, speckled by the dwellings of my countrymen, and subdued to fertility by their labours, the earth’s very centre was fixed for me in that spot, and the rest of her orb was as a fable, to have forgotten which would have cost neither my imagination nor understanding an effort.”

This early view of Lionel’s as he surveys his native countryside shows how he initially thinks of himself and his country as the center of the world. As he travels and becomes more educated, Lionel Verney develops a more expansive worldview, recognizing the Equality of the Human Race. This early image is also a stark contrast to the final image of the novel, in which Lionel goes to explore the world as the last person on earth.

“‘Happy are dreamers,’ he continued, ‘so that they be not awakened! Would I could dream! but ‘broad and garish day’ is the element in which I live; the dazzling glare of reality inverts the scene for me.’”

Raymond says this to Lionel early in their relationship. Raymond is characterized primarily by his ambition, and here, Raymond claims to regret the influence his ambition has over him: He insists that the “dazzling glare of reality” beckons him, foreshadowing the way in which he will be drawn into public life.

“She felt, that, once awakened, Raymond would never return unrepining to Windsor. His habits were unhinged; his restless mind roused from its sleep, ambition must now be his companion through life; and if he did not succeed in his present attempt, she foresaw that unhappiness and cureless discontent would follow.”

Perdita has apprehensions about Raymond’s ambition, sensing that it will ultimately be his undoing. Perdita’s fears foreshadow Raymond’s eventual fate, as his ambitions will destroy their marriage and lead to his death.