# Lionel Verney — The Last Man character guide > Lionel Verney in The Last Man by Mary Shelley. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Verney, Lionel **First appearance:** 0002-the-last-man ## Snapshot The novel's narrator, a wild shepherd's son remade by friendship and grief into a husband, father, and finally the last man standing. ## Who they are Lionel Verney begins as an unlettered, hot-tempered youth on the margins of society, then rises through his bond with Adrian and his marriage to Idris into the heart of England's ruling circle. He is loyal, self-doubting, and prone to long inward brooding; his devotion to Raymond is as complicated as his love for his own family. As witness and participant, he carries the reader from political intrigue through domestic happiness into the slow unmaking of the world, his voice the thread that holds the whole ruin together. ## In the story ### [The Last Man Volume I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/the-last-man) Introduced as the central figure whose story is revealed through the prophetic narrative. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-i) Narrator and protagonist; describes his childhood as an orphan, his life as a shepherd, and his lawless habits. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-ii) Describes his emotional and moral transformation under Adrian's influence, feeling reborn and beginning to value knowledge and humanity. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-iii) Recalls his happy year with Adrian, accepts the position of secretary in Vienna, and vows to devote himself to Adrian. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-iv) Narrates the chapter, describes his growing intimacy with Raymond, his devotion to Adrian, and his hidden love for Idris. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-v) Narrator; consumed by love for Idris and jealousy of Raymond; resolves to seek Adrian. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-vi) Lives in poverty near Windsor, secretly devoted to Idris; receives visits from Adrian and Idris; helps Idris escape her mother's plot. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-vii) Narrator and active participant in Raymond's campaign, observing the emotional dynamics between Raymond and Perdita. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-viii) Returns to Windsor with Idris, finding solace in study and family life. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-ix) Lionel observes the couple's happiness and serves as Perdita's confidant, noting the changes in her demeanor. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-x) Accompanies Adrian to London to intervene in Raymond's decline and discusses Raymond's conduct with Adrian, attempting to reason with Perdita. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-i-xi) Narrator and brother-in-law; organizes a family tour to ease grief; tries to reconcile Perdita to Raymond; corresponds with Adrian and reads Greek news. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-ii-i) Narrator and observer; attends Perdita and Clara, accompanies Raymond to Greece, and decides to fight alongside him. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-ii-ii) Lionel is Raymond's confidant and brother-in-law. He listens to Raymond's fears, observes the army's dissolution, and is sent to request reinforcements from Karazza. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-ii-iii) Narrator and brother to Perdita; he delivers a eulogy for Raymond and tries to persuade Perdita to return to England. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-ii-iv) Returns to Windsor after his time in Greece, embracing domestic life and reflecting on fatherhood. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-ii-v) The narrator, reflecting on the plague's impact, human fragility, and the sublime power of nature. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-ii-vi) Narrator; returns from London with news of the plague, experiences a vision of death during the fair, and struggles with fear for his wife and children. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-ii-vii) Narrator; returns from London, witnesses the mad prophet, tends to Idris and the dying nurse, and resolves to safeguard his family. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-ii-viii) Narrator who returns from London to Windsor and reflects on the plague's impact, deciding to alter his narrative style. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-ii-ix) Lionel visits Merrival's deserted home and finds the astronomer mad with grief after losing his family. He attempts to bring Merrival back to Windsor. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-i) Lionel is the narrator, observing the collapse of society and struggling to comfort Idris. ### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-ii) Narrates the chapter; convinces Idris to emigrate; finds Alfred dead from plague; searches for Idris in the storm; falls ill. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-iii) Narrator and husband to Idris, he is recovering from illness and cares for Idris while organizing the journey. ### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-iv) Narrates the chapter; experiences grief over Idris's death, retrieves Lucy Martin, and leads the emigrant group. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-v) Narrator and protagonist; attempts to rescue Juliet from the preacher's influence, is captured and imprisoned, then freed by Juliet. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-vi) Narrates the chapter; struggles with the decision to follow his troop to Auxerre or return to assist Adrian at Versailles. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-vii) The narrator; reflects on the deaths and the hopelessness of the journey. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-viii) Narrates the journey, reflects on their happiness and grief, and cares for Clara and Evelyn. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-ix) The narrator and last man, grieving and alone, wandering the Italian coast after the deaths of Adrian and Clara. ### [The Last Man's Lament](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/chapters/volume-iii-x) The protagonist and narrator, now the last man, mourns the loss of Adrian and Clara and wanders through deserted Italian towns. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/characters/lionel_verney - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_man_se/characters