Lilith · Chapter
XXI: The Fugitive Mother explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Vane encounters a terrified mother fleeing with her baby from the princess's white leopardess. He attempts to help but is knocked down by the beast, which is then wounded by the mother with a stone. The mother explains the princess's cruelty, including sending the leopardess to suck babies' blood, and warns Vane against going to Bulika. Despite her fear, she trusts Vane briefly before departing abruptly.
Themes in this chapter
Motherhood and Family
The mother's desperate flight to protect her child from the princess's leopardess highlights the fierce protective instinct of motherhood.
Power and Corruption
The princess's cruel use of the leopardess to kill babies and her alliance with the Shadows illustrate the corrupting influence of power.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Vane
Encountering the fugitive mother and the wounded leopardess; offers help and learns about the princess's cruelty.
- The Princess
Mentioned as the cruel ruler of Bulika who sends her leopardess to kill babies; suspected of being in league with the Shadows.
- The Shadow
Alluded to as the princess may be in league with the Shadows to end the human race.
Key passages
“I know by your speech that you are not of the people of Bulika; I will trust you!—I am not of them, either, else I should not be able: they never trust anyone.”
The mother recognizes Vane as an outsider and decides to trust him, noting that the people of Bulika are incapable of trust.
Highlights the theme of trust and the corrupt nature of Bulika's society.
“Some say the princess has two white leopardesses: I know only one—with spots. Everybody knows her! If the princess hear of a baby, she sends her immediately to suck its blood, and then it either dies or grows up an idiot.”
The mother explains the princess's practice of using a leopardess to kill or harm infants, a common knowledge in the region.
Illustrates the princess's cruelty and the threat to children.
“There is an old prophecy that a child will be the death of her. That is why she will listen to no offer of marriage, they say.”
The mother reveals a prophecy that a child will kill the princess, explaining her refusal to marry and her infanticide.
Provides motivation for the princess's actions and foreshadows future events.