The Last Man

The Last Man explores the commonalities and vulnerabilities of the human race, suggesting that all people are equal to one another. While politics, personal ambitions, and xenophobic beliefs sometimes divide the human societies in the novel, the narrative suggests that such divisions are futile and self-defeating, only serving to weaken humanity further.

Of all the characters, Adrian is the most committed to the ideal of equality. He sees all other humans as his family and tries to treat them as such. Lionel Verney is surprised when, upon meeting him, Adrian views the lowly shepherd boy as the destined friend of a former prince. Adrian disregards his own royal pedigree, becoming a staunch republican who advocates for the good of all English citizens. He only takes power as Lord Protector when England enters a state of crisis during the plague, when no one else wishes to lead the country. He turns Windsor Castle into a refuge for those affected by the plague and urges other wealthy Englishmen to donate to the poor.

Adrain’s firm belief in equality also applies beyond England’s borders, revealing his cosmopolitan outlook.