# Clara — The Last Man character guide

> Clara in The Last Man by Mary Shelley.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** little Clara, Little Clara

**First appearance:** 0002-the-last-man

## Snapshot

The narrator's gentle daughter, whose clear-eyed courage in a storm and quiet devotion make her a last flowering of human tenderness.

## Who they are

Clara appears first as a child holding Perdita's hand in silence, then grows into a young woman who faces a raging sea without fear, telling her father that one death will clasp them undivided. Her heart is a throne of love, and her sensibility hints at sorrows she would forever conceal. She matters because she carries the novel's fragile hope forward, a living echo of Idris in a world steadily emptying of everything else.

## Relationships

### [Lord Raymond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/characters/lord_raymond)

_romantic_

Clara and Lord Raymond share a romantic relationship, though it is complicated by external pressures.

### [Evelyn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/characters/evelyn)

_family_

Clara is Evelyn's aunt, and their relationship is warm and nurturing.

### [Alfred](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/characters/alfred)

_family_

Alfred is Clara's nephew, and their bond is that of a loving aunt and child.

## In the story

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-ii)

Mentioned as Adrian's 'fairy sister,' a lovely and animated twelve-year-old girl.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-vii)

Raymond and Perdita's young daughter, described as a miniature model of her father, a source of comfort and anxiety for Perdita.

### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-viii)

Brought back to Windsor by Perdita; accompanies Adrian to London to visit her parents.

### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-xi)

Eight-year-old daughter of Perdita and Raymond; becomes thoughtful and observant after her father's departure; watches for letters and learns of her father's bravery from Adrian.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-ii-i)

Timid but concentrated admiration for her father; she recognizes his voice and embraces him in the boat.

### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-ii-ii)

Clara is Raymond and Perdita's young daughter. She overhears Raymond's prophecy of his death and is deeply distressed, promising not to betray his words.

### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-ii-iii)

Daughter of Raymond and Perdita; she is deeply affected by grief and seeks comfort from Lionel.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-ii-iv)

Daughter of Lionel and Idris, described as intelligent, innocent, and beautiful.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-ii-vi)

Lionel and Idris's daughter; drawn to listen to an Italian lad's tale of horror during the fair.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-ii-vii)

One of the children; mentioned as a favourite of the deceased nurse.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-i)

Clara grows in years and remains unsullied by disease, but her mother fears for her future.

### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-ii)

Asks about Athens; tends to Alfred's body; shows grief and seriousness.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-iii)

Travels with Lionel and Idris as part of their small group.

### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-iv)

Mentioned as having swollen eyes from weeping; part of the traveling party.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-v)

Mentioned as part of the family group; little Clara is among those at Windsor.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-vii)

Present at the Countess's deathbed; the Countess entrusts her to Adrian's care.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-viii)

Referred to as the 'little queen of the world,' she tends to Evelyn, dresses in splendid robes, and after Evelyn's death begs to be taken away from the villa.

### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-ix)

Mentioned as having drowned; remembered as overcoming grief and receiving attentions with tenderness during the journey to Venice.

### [The Last Man's Lament](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-x)

Clara, the last daughter of humanity, is mourned by Lionel for her purity and love; she drowned with Adrian.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/characters/clara
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/characters