# Mr. Raven — Lilith character guide

> Mr. Raven in Lilith by George MacDonald.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** a Mr. Raven, the raven

**First appearance:** 0004-iii-the-raven

## Snapshot

A librarian-sexton who wears a raven's shape, tosses worms into butterflies, and insists every man has many selves to harmonize.

## Who they are

Mr. Raven first appears as a bird digging worms from the earth, then as a slender old man in a rusty black coat with a face so alive it suggests a skull. He claims both the library and the graveyard, telling Vane that books without readers are dead bodies and a library a catacomb. His talk of beast-self, bird-self, and serpent-self unsettles Vane precisely because it is true.

## Relationships

### [The Little Ones](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/characters/the_little_ones)

_friendship_

Mr. Raven acts as a wise, protective guide to the Little Ones, offering cryptic advice and gentle authority.

### [The Little Ones](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/characters/the_little_ones)

_friendship_

Mr. Raven acts as a wise, protective guide to the Little Ones, offering cryptic advice and gentle authority.

## In the story

### [The Library](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/i-the-library)

The legendary librarian, possibly a ghost, seen by Vane in the library.

### [The Mirror](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/ii-the-mirror)

The shadowy figure Vane follows through the house, later appearing as a raven in the other world.

### [III: The Raven](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/iii-the-raven)

The raven speaks to Vane, offering cryptic guidance about doors and making oneself at home; he appears wise and ancient.

### [Somewhere or Nowhere?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/iv-somewhere-or-nowhere)

Acts as a sexton, turning worms into flying creatures; leads Vane into the region of the seven dimensions, asserting that Vane is not yet an individual.

### [V: The Old Church](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/v-the-old-church)

Guides Vane, pointing out a prayer-pigeon and a prayer-flower, and teaches about the manifestation of thoughts.

### [The Sexton's Cottage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/vi-the-sexton-s-cottage)

Reveals himself as both sexton and librarian; explains the nature of multiple selves and the necessity of sleep without self-waking.

### [The Cemetery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/vii-the-cemetery)

Mr. Raven acts as sexton, guiding Vane through the chamber and explaining the nature of the sleepers; he points out Vane's waiting couch.

### [My Father's Manuscript](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/viii-my-father-s-manuscript)

A mysterious old librarian who claims to have known Vane's ancestors and demonstrates a door to another world through a mirror.

### [IX: I Repent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/ix-i-repent)

Confronts Vane about his rudeness and lack of understanding, reveals that Vane's father is asleep among the dead, and gives cryptic guidance before leaving.

### [A Grotesque Tragedy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/xvii-a-grotesque-tragedy)

Appears suddenly to Vane, gives advice about trusting those who have deceived you, then transforms into a raven.

### [The Silent Fountain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/xxvii-the-silent-fountain)

Appears in the vision as the old librarian who confronts the princess, causing her eidolon to fall.

### [XXVIII: I Am Silenced](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/xxviii-i-am-silenced)

Appears as a raven on the edge of the fountain; delivers a stern critique of Vane's failure to help the Little Ones, accusing him of being a 'seeming coward' and a 'stupid philanthropist.'

### [Adam Explains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lilith_se/chapters/xxx-adam-explains)

Explains Lilith's enmity toward her daughter and the Little Ones; insists Vane must rest before acting; demonstrates control over the mirror and communication with the dove.

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

Mr. Raven offers Vane the horse, warns him against breaking his word, and expresses anger when Vane chooses to ride after the leopardess.

## Links

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