# XLVI: The City explained — Lilith

> Chapter companion for Lilith by George MacDonald.

## What happens

Lona and Vane, accompanied by the Little Ones, approach a magnificent city on a solitary mountain. They witness dazzling flashes of lightning that reveal angelic faces, creatures, and visions of loved ones. A sweet rain falls as they ascend to the city gate, where a portress greets them. The Little Ones storm into the city and are carried away by woman-angels. Vane and Lona are welcomed by a great angel, then climb a rocky ascent alone. Vane passes through a cloud and a door, finding himself back in his library.

## Themes in this chapter

### Nature and the Divine

The city and its surroundings are infused with divine presence; lightning reveals angelic faces and creatures; the river of life flows from the throne of the Ancient of Days.

### Innocence and Growth

The Little Ones, in their innocence, storm heaven itself; their joyful, fearless approach contrasts with the solemnity of the angels.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Vane

Narrates the journey; climbs the mountain and enters the city; ultimately returns to his library.

### Lona

Travels with Vane; sees and hears the lightning with the children; climbs the rocks with Vane.

### The Little Ones

Climb trees to spot the city; lead the way; rush into the city and are carried off by angels.

### Luva

Speaks in a childish voice, repeating what she heard in the lightning: ' ’Ou’s all mine’s, ’ickle ones: come along!'

## Key lines

> The river grew lovelier and lovelier, until I knew that never before had I seen real water. Nothing in this world is more than like it.

The river became so beautiful that Vane realized he had never seen true water before; earthly water is only an imitation.

_Highlights the transcendent nature of the otherworldly landscape._

> The great quivering light was compact of angel-faces. They lamped themselves visible, and vanished.

The lightning was made of countless angelic faces that appeared briefly and then disappeared.

_Describes the visionary quality of the lightning._

> I know not whence came the stones that fashioned it, but among them I saw the prototypes of all the gems I had loved on earth⁠—far more beautiful than they, for these were living stones⁠—such in which I saw, not the intent alone, but the intender too; not the idea alone, but the imbodier present, the operant outsender: nothing in this kingdom was dead; nothing was mere; nothing only a thing.

The stones of the city were living prototypes of earthly gems, revealing not just the design but the designer himself; everything in this realm is alive and meaningful.

_Emphasizes the animistic and divine nature of the heavenly city._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lilith_se/chapters/xlvi-the-city
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lilith_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lilith_se/chapters