# The Last Man — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for The Last Man by Mary Shelley.

- [Epigraph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/epigraph.md): The epigraph quotes Milton, warning against seeking knowledge of the future, setting a tone of foreboding and the futility of prophecy.
- [The Last Man Volume I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/the-last-man.md): The narrator introduces the Cumaean Sibyl's cave and the discovery of prophetic leaves, setting the stage for the story of Lionel Verney and the end of humanity.
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-i.md): Lionel Verney introduces his origins as an orphan in Cumberland, describing his wild youth as a shepherd and leader of a band of outcasts, and contrasts his sociable, lawless nature with his sister Perdita's solitary, vi
- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-ii.md): Lionel Verney recounts the transformative beginning of his friendship with Adrian, who seeks to educate and elevate him. Adrian's love for Evadne Zaimi is revealed, along with the imbalance in their affections and the se
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-iii.md): 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 be

> 28 more chapter companions — [open a free preview](https://www.betterreads.dev/reader?bookId=the_last_man_se_1787kb&preview=1) to unlock the rest.

- [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-iv.md)
- [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-v.md)
- [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-vi.md)
- [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-vii.md)
- [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-viii.md)
- [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-ix.md)
- [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-x.md)
- [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-xi.md)
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-ii-i.md)
- [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-ii-ii.md)
- [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-ii-iii.md)
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-ii-iv.md)
- [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-ii-v.md)
- [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-ii-vi.md)
- [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-ii-vii.md)
- [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-ii-viii.md)
- [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-ii-ix.md)
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-i.md)
- [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-ii.md)
- [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-iii.md)
- [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-iv.md)
- [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-v.md)
- [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-vi.md)
- [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-vii.md)
- [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-viii.md)
- [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-ix.md)
- [The Last Man's Lament](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-x.md)
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/endnotes.md)

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters