Analyzing Clause in passages

A clause is a group of words that includes a subject and a verb.

A clause can be distinguished from a phrase, which does not contain a subject
and a verb (e.g., in the afternoon, drinking from the bowl).

An independent clause can express a complete thought (and can be a

standalone sentence). A dependent clause is usually a supporting part of a
sentence, and it cannot stand by itself as a meaningful proposition (idea).

Another term for dependent clause is subordinate clause: this means that
the clause is subordinate to another element (the independent clause) and
depends on that other element for its meaning. The subordinate clause is
created by a subordinating conjunction or dependent word.

When we are searching for clauses, we first need to identify all main verb
phrases:

Margots mind reeled. She could hear the listless scraping sounds of fingertips
against the door. It haunted her to consider the sea of faces outside. They were faces
that she once knew in a different light, but now they were putrid reflections of squalor
and decay. There was nothing left for her to glean from their lifeless eyes except the
grim reminder that she wasalone. She tried to ignore the thought, but she was the last
bastion of humanity. And only death awaited her outside.

Margots mind reeled (Independent Clause)

She could hear the listless scraping sounds of fingertips against the door
(Independent Clause)

It haunted her to consider the sea of faces outside (Independent Clause)

Remember: TO CONSIDER is an infinitive phrase, not a main verb
phrase.
 They were faces she once knew in a different light, but now they were putrid reflections
of squalor and decay.
There are three clauses in this sentence.

They were faces( Independent Clause)

That she once knew in a different light (Dependent Clause - Relative Clause -
Functioning Adjectivally to modify FACES)
While this clause appears to be independent, this clause is a relative
clause because of [that]

but now they were putrid reflections of squalor and decay (Dependent Clause)
The clause is preceded by a coordinating conjunction [but], which serves
as a marker for dependent clause.

There was nothing left for her to glean from their lifeless eyes (Independent Clause)

(except the grim reminder that she was alone)( Dependent Clause - Relative Clause -
Functioning Adjectivally to modify THE GRIM REMINDER)
While this clause appears to be independent, this clause is a relative
clause because of [that]

She tried to ignore the thought ( Independent Clause)

Remember, TO IGNORE THE THOUGHT is an infinitive phrase
functioning nominally as the direct object. It is not a clause.

But she was the last bastion of humanity (Independent Clause)

[but] serves as a marker for dependent clause

And only death awaited her outside. (Dependent Clause)

[and] serves as a marker for dependent clause

Remember that when analyzing clauses, always begin by identifying the main verb
phrase. Before you can determine if a clause is independent of dependent, you have
find it. The ability to recognize a clause and to know whether a clause is independent or
dependent is essential to make appropriate punctuation and stylistic choices in writing.