However, throughout the story, he acts foolishly and soon learns that book knowledge is not what he should have been seeking in life. He has read thousands of books and is the owner of a large private library that occupies the first story of his mansion. Vane, the hero, is an educated man from Oxford. Vane, in turn, decides to sleep in Adam's house and lies down beside his parents and Lona.Ī prevailing theme in MacDonald's story is wisdom. Vane's love), she finally submits to Adam and sleeps in his house (in other words, dies). After Lilith kills Lona (her daughter and Mr. Raven's first wife who became corrupted by her own beauty. Vane runs away from the couple, for he is afraid of death. Vane into another dimension and to his home and wife (Eve) and tells him that there is a bed prepared for him. Vane's great-grandfather's librarian, who also manifested himself as a raven, a sexton, death, and Adam, creation's first man. Raven, a man who happens to have been Mr. Lilith begins by introducing us to the hero of the story, Mr. Beneath the veneer of a well written, provocative tale is a message containing controversial theological topics, such as universal redemption, and a redefining of the way we think of ourselves. It is an allegory dealing with death and true wisdom. It is not a children's fairy tale, nor is it the optimistic romance adored by fans of Jane Austen or the Bronte sisters. Despite the seeming innocence of these stories, MacDonald's tales tend to harbor deeper meanings about the nature of man and his salvation. George MacDonald, a nineteenth century Scottish writer and pastor, is most well known for his charming children's stories, such as The Princess and Curdie and At the Back of the North Wind.

Lilith by George MacDonald