# Perdita — The Last Man character guide

> Perdita in The Last Man by Mary Shelley.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** the visionary Perdita, the blushing Perdita, reserved Perdita

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

## Snapshot

A reserved, visionary woman whose whole soul unfolds under Raymond's love and contracts into proud, silent grief when that love falters.

## Who they are

Once stern and solitary in childhood, Perdita blossoms through marriage into a wife and mother of startling depth, reading Raymond's letters and sharing his inmost thoughts. When his attention wanders, her concentrated pride and humility turn the wound inward, and she grows pale, quiet, and watchful rather than accusatory. Her devotion sets the emotional stakes of the novel's middle, showing how private love can mirror the fragility of a whole world.

## In the story

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

Lionel's sister; portrayed as solitary, visionary, and cold, with a love for nature and loneliness.

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

Witnesses Adrian's suffering and loves him as a brother; later becomes the pupil and friend of Evadne.

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

Raymond calls at her cottage; her heightened color and sparkling eyes reveal her secret love for him.

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

Forgives Raymond's infidelity; blushes with joy as they reconcile; described as reserved but transformed by love.

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

Departed for the continent with Raymond before the chapter's events.

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

Raymond's wife, tormented by fear and presentiment of ill; she oscillates between despair and hope, dreading the consequences of his success.

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

Fulfills her role as Raymond's wife with dignity, though her timidity and pride conflict.

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

Perdita is blissfully happy in her marriage but becomes troubled by Raymond's secrecy and withdrawal. Her capacity for happiness makes her sorrows equally intense.

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

Resolves to leave Raymond after discovering his infidelity, struggles with conflicting passions and thoughts of suicide, but ultimately decides to preserve herself and part ways.

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

Deeply grieved and resentful after Raymond's departure; seeks solitude, neglects her child, and later begins self-education; remains unreconciled.

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

Consumed by remorse for Raymond's suffering; she abstains from food and lies on bare earth in sympathy. She reunites with Raymond and devotes herself to his recovery.

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

Perdita is Raymond's wife, residing at the palace of Sweet Waters. She is unaware of Raymond's full despair but is sensitive to his moods.

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

Raymond's widow, consumed by grief; she refuses to leave Greece and insists on staying near Raymond's tomb.

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

Appears in Lionel's vision of death, sitting ashy pale with Raymond.

## Links

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