In Richard Matheson’s science fiction novel I am a Legend, which character survives the pandemic?

Richard Matheson’s 1954 science-fiction novel I Am Legend features Robert Neville, the only known survivor of a devastating pandemic that transforms humans into vampire-like creatures. The story is set in post-apocalyptic Los Angeles, where Robert Neville attempts to survive in a hostile world and understand the nature of the disease that has wiped out humanity.

The novel is set in the near future, where a pandemic of unknown origin has transformed the majority of the human population into vampires. These creatures fear sunlight and have an aversion to garlic and religious symbols.

Robert Neville is the protagonist and only human living in the city of Los Angeles. He spends his days fortifying his home, hunting and killing vampires during the day, and searching for a cure to the pandemic.

The novel explores the psychology of Robert Neville as he struggles to survive alone, surrounded by once-human creatures. His loneliness and his desire to understand what has happened to humanity are the central themes of the story.

Robert Neville uses his scientific knowledge to study vampires and desperately searches for a cure. He finally discovers that the pandemic is caused by a bacterium, but it’s too late to reverse the effects on the world’s population.

I Am Legend deals with themes of survival, isolation and despair. Robert Neville is faced with the loss of his family and his society, and must find a way to continue living despite desperate circumstances.

The novel questions the nature of humanity and monstrosity. As the story unfolds, Robert Neville realizes that he has become a legend among the new vampires, a mythical figure of terror, reversing the roles of hunter and hunted.

I Am Legend has had a major influence on the science fiction and horror genre, inspiring numerous film and TV adaptations. The novel also influenced later works dealing with similar themes, such as zombie films and post-apocalyptic tales.

The novel has been adapted several times for the screen, the best-known version being the 2007 film starring Will Smith, which bears the same title. Each adaptation brings changes to the plot and characters, but the essence of Robert Neville’s survival story remains central.

I Am Legend remains an iconic work, exploring profound questions about survival, humanity and loneliness. It continues to be studied and appreciated for its thematic depth and impact on popular culture.

In Richard Matheson’s I Am Legend, Robert Neville is the last known human survivor of a pandemic that turns people into vampires. The novel explores themes of survival, isolation and the nature of humanity, while exerting a lasting influence on the science fiction and horror genre. Robert Neville’s struggle to understand and find a cure for the pandemic, while facing his own loneliness and despair, makes him a complex and memorable character.