Character Study: Robert Neville

Questions and Answers

Why was Robert Neville forced to stay near his home on cloudy days?

He couldn't judge the time of day when the vampires could come out.

In chapter 1, what does Neville replace his broken mirror with?

Garlic

Describe Neville.

Tall man, 36, English-German stock, features indistinguishable except for the long, determined mouth and bright blue eyes.

Why did Robert burn down both of the neighboring houses?

To prevent the vampires from jumping from their roof to his and breaking in. Signup and view all the answers

How many necklaces does Neville make and what are they for?

About 25; he nails them to the window to prevent the vampires from touching them. Signup and view all the answers

What does Neville make in his free time?

Stakes Signup and view all the answers

What type of music does Robert listen to and why?

Classical; to block out the sounds of vampires. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Kathy and what happened to her?

Neville's daughter; she dies. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Ben Cortman?

Lead vampire; guy who always yells, Neville's old carpool neighbor. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Neville want to soundproof his home?

Because all he could hear were the vampires yelling. Signup and view all the answers

How did the women make things difficult for Robert?

They taunted him. Signup and view all the answers

How does Neville feel about his tattoo and describe it.

A cross; he regretted it at first then liked it. Signup and view all the answers

Why are Neville's teeth of great concern to him?

Because there was no dentist. Signup and view all the answers

Why would the vampires often resort to attacking each other?

There wasn't anyone else. Signup and view all the answers

What are the items from Neville's list for the day in Chapter 2?

Lathe at Sears, water, check generator, doweling. Signup and view all the answers

Why were the women vampire victims the color of 'fish out of water'?

The other vampires drank all their blood. Signup and view all the answers

How did Neville feel about his car and why?

He takes really good care of it so it can make it to his destination and back by sunset. Signup and view all the answers

Other than the smell, why does Neville despise going to the burning pit so much?

Somewhere in the pit is Kathy. Signup and view all the answers

While shopping, what is Neville forced to do with the sleeping vampires?

Stake them in the heart. Signup and view all the answers

Why are women tougher for him?

They reminded him of Kathy. Signup and view all the answers

Who is old Fritz and what do we learn about him?

Neville's father; Fritz didn't believe in vampires. Signup and view all the answers

List the strange facts about the vampires.

<ul> <li>They can't stand garlic; - Stays inside all day; - Death by stake; - Fear of crosses; - Supposed dread of mirrors.</li> </ul> Signup and view all the answers

List the facts Neville finds untrue.

<ul> <li>Invisible in mirrors; - Transforming into bats/wolves.</li> </ul> Signup and view all the answers

How many vampires did Neville kill the day he went to the grocery store and why?

47; he only had 47 stakes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the strength of a vampire?

That no one believes in him. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how the legend swallowed science.

No facts or figures - legends, superstitions. Before science had caught up with the legend, the legend had swallowed science and everything. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Robert struggle with eating?

He had no will to keep on living. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Robert consider accepting Cortman's invitation?

He thought of becoming one of them. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of being within 'a day's drive of his house'?

He could make it home in time before sunset. Signup and view all the answers

What are coffin nails and where does Robert keep them?

Nails to nail together coffins; in his basement. Signup and view all the answers

What type of music does Robert listen to?

Mozart - classical. Signup and view all the answers

Identify and explain the comparisons Robert considers to vampires.

Knocking them down like tenpins; bowling pin knocking down. Signup and view all the answers

Who does Robert visit in the beginning of chapter 4?

Virginia. Signup and view all the answers

Identify the suspense at the end of Chapter 4.

Neville didn't realize what time it was because his watch stopped; he didn't know the real time especially since it was a cloudy day. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Robert Neville's Situation

Stays near home on cloudy days to avoid vampire attacks due to inability to gauge time.
Replaced broken mirror with garlic as a protective measure against vampires.

Character Description

Robert Neville is a tall, 36-year-old man of English-German descent with bright blue eyes and a determined mouth.

Home Defense

Burned neighboring houses to prevent vampires from accessing his home via roof jumps.
Created approximately 25 garlic necklaces to hang on windows as a vampire deterrent.

Daily Life and Activities

Spends free time crafting wooden stakes for defense against vampires.
Listens to classical music, specifically Mozart, to drown out vampire sounds and maintain sanity.

Personal Background

Kathy, Neville's daughter, is deceased, weighing on his emotional state.
Old Fritz, Neville's father, was skeptical of vampire existence, emphasizing the theme of disbelief.

Vampire Characteristics

Vampires are repelled by garlic, remain indoors during the day, and die from stake wounds.
Contrary to popular belief, some myths about vampires are disproved; they are not invisible in mirrors or capable of transforming into bats or wolves.

Encounters and Conflicts

Experienced difficulty with vampiric women who taunted him, molding his psychological struggles.
Killed 47 vampires on a grocery store outing, as he was equipped with 47 stakes.

Emotional Struggles

Faces challenges with motivation to eat and maintain life due to apathy stemming from surviving in a vampire-ridden world.
The emotional toll influences decisions, such as considering acceptance of Cortman's invitation to join vampires.

The Concept of Time

"A day's drive" ensures he returns home before sunset, vital for his survival against vampire threats.
Watches stopped, leaving Neville unaware of time, especially exacerbated by a cloudy day, adding to his isolation and suspense.

Miscellaneous Facts

Coffin nails, crucial for assembling coffins, are stored in his basement.
Believed vampires are a product of legend overtaking scientific reasoning, blurring the line between myth and fact.

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Description

Explore the life and challenges of Robert Neville, a character navigating a world overrun by vampires. This quiz delves into his home defense strategies, personal background, and daily activities that highlight his resilience and emotional struggles. Understand the dynamics of vampire characteristics that impact Neville's survival.