# A Woman of Bulika explained — Lilith

> Chapter companion for Lilith by George MacDonald.

## What happens

Mr. Vane, seeking shelter in an alley, is joined by a trembling woman fleeing a leopardess that belongs to the princess of Bulika. She explains the city's customs: the people dig for gems, consider work disgraceful, and expel strangers to preserve their purity. Vane offers to protect her, and she promises him shelter. As they reach her door, she darts inside and shuts him out, leaving him to lie down on the landing between two houses.

## Themes in this chapter

### Power and Corruption

The princess's absolute rule and the city's disdain for work and strangers illustrate corrupt power.

### Illusion and Reality

The woman's promise of shelter proves illusory, and Bulika's pride in purity masks a harsh reality.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Vane

Offers protection to a woman fleeing a leopardess, learns about Bulika's customs, and is left stranded on a landing.

### The Princess

Ruler of Bulika for thousands of years; owns a dangerous leopardess that terrorizes the city.

## Key lines

> If the brute come here, I will lay hold of it,” I said, “and you must run.

Vane tells the woman he will grapple with the leopardess so she can escape.

_Demonstrates Vane's protective instinct toward a stranger._

> We are more ancient and noble than any other nation.⁠—Therefore,” she added, “we always turn strangers out before night.

The woman explains that Bulikans expel strangers to maintain their supposed purity and nobility.

_Reveals the city's xenophobic ideology._

> I arrived just in time to have the door closed in my face, and stood confounded on the landing

Vane reaches the door only to have it slammed shut, leaving him bewildered.

_Highlights the woman's betrayal and Vane's resulting predicament._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lilith_se/chapters/xxiii-a-woman-of-bulika
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lilith_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lilith_se/chapters