The Marginalian · People & society

Mary Shelley's View on Life's Purpose Amidst Adversity

Mary Shelley, writing during a period of profound personal loss, explored the meaning of life in her 1826 novel, 'The Last Man.' The novel, set in a future pandemic, features a protagonist who grapples with existence after societal collapse.

Shelley's protagonist, Lionel Verney, finds solace and meaning not in societal pursuits but in nature's resilience and beauty. Stripped of distractions, he contemplates the superficiality of conventional 'life.'

Verney's journey suggests that true living involves active participation and deep feeling, rather than passive observation. He advocates for withdrawing from the 'feverish' world to find peace.

The novel emphasizes nature's enduring presence as a balm for human suffering. The arrival of spring, unaffected by human tragedy, offers a profound affirmation of life's worth.

Through observing nature's cycles, Verney regains faith in survival and the inherent beauty of existence. This connection to the non-human world provides a framework for understanding the human condition.

Ultimately, Shelley posits that the solution to life's complexities lies in self-improvement and contributing to the happiness of others, a perspective gained through profound personal experience and observation of the natural world.

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