# Adam — Lilith character guide

> Adam in Lilith by George MacDonald.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** father Adam

**First appearance:** 0031-xxx-adam-explains

## Snapshot

The ancient first father, severe and welcoming at once, who sets Vane a desert task and forgives him before he begins.

## Who they are

Adam waits long for Lilith's return and greets her with a welcome shining through severity, though she will not answer him. He is husband, judge, and instructor: he tells Vane to walk into the desert, lie down, and listen for water beneath the sand. His forgiveness comes before the penance, which is why the penance can be borne.

## Relationships

### [The Princess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/characters/the_princess)

_romantic_

Adam is deeply devoted to the Princess, viewing her with a mix of reverence and longing, though their connection is fraught with unspoken tension.

### [Lilith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/characters/lilith)

_rivalry_

Adam and Lilith share a history of conflict and mutual resentment, rooted in their divergent paths and opposing wills.

### [Eve](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/characters/eve)

_family_

Adam and Eve are bound as the first human pair, their relationship marked by a quiet, resigned companionship and shared origins.

### [Lona](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/characters/lona)

_friendship_

Adam and Lona share a respectful, supportive friendship, with Adam often relying on Lona's steadiness.

### [Mara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/characters/mara)

_rivalry_

Adam and Mara are locked in a cold war of wills, with Mara's manipulations constantly testing Adam's resolve.

### [Lilith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/characters/lilith)

_rivalry_

Adam and Lilith share a history of conflict and mutual resentment, rooted in their divergent paths and opposing wills.

### [The Princess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/characters/the_princess)

_romantic_

Adam is deeply devoted to the Princess, viewing her with a mix of reverence and longing, though their connection is fraught with unspoken tension.

### [Eve](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/characters/eve)

_family_

Adam and Eve are bound as the first human pair, their relationship marked by a quiet, resigned companionship and shared origins.

### [Mara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/characters/mara)

_rivalry_

Adam and Mara are locked in a cold war of wills, with Mara's manipulations constantly testing Adam's resolve.

### [Lilith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/characters/lilith)

_rivalry_

Adam and Lilith share a history of conflict and mutual resentment, rooted in their divergent paths and opposing wills.

### [Lona](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/characters/lona)

_friendship_

Adam and Lona share a respectful, supportive friendship, with Adam often relying on Lona's steadiness.

### [Eve](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/characters/eve)

_family_

Adam and Eve are bound as the first human pair, their relationship marked by a quiet, resigned companionship and shared origins.

## In the story

### [XXIX: The Persian Cat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/xxix-the-persian-cat)

Adam, disguised as Mr. Raven, confronts Lilith, recounts her fall, and pleads with her to repent. He ultimately imprisons her.

### [XXXI: The Sexton’s Old Horse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/xxxi-the-sexton-s-old-horse)

Adam appears briefly to confront Vane, accusing him of refusing to die and urging him to return home.

### [Preparation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/xxxiv-preparation)

Mentioned in Vane's recollection of Adam's appeal about finding water for the Little Ones.

### [That Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/xxxix-that-night)

Adam is mentioned as the one Lilith has wronged and who can help her through forgiveness.

### [XL: The House of Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/xl-the-house-of-death)

Confronts Lilith, leads her to the house of death, and uses the sword to sever her hand.

### [I Am Sent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/xli-i-am-sent)

Adam forgives Vane and gives him detailed instructions for burying the hand, providing a spade.

### [XLII: I Sleep the Sleep](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/xlii-i-sleep-the-sleep)

Greets Vane, explains the nature of sleep and death, breathes warmth on Vane, and helps prepare him for sleep.

### [The Dreams That Came](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/xliii-the-dreams-that-came)

Appears to Vane in the dream, offering wisdom about truth, doubt, and the nature of reality.

### [The Waking](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/xliv-the-waking)

Explains the nature of death and life, announces the departure of the Shadow, and speaks of the golden cock.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/characters/adam
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/characters