# Zee — The Coming Race character guide > Zee in The Coming Race by Edward Bulwer-Lytton. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Zee **First appearance:** 0003-iv ## Snapshot A brilliant, powerful Vril-ya woman who becomes the narrator's guide and admirer, and whose devotion puts them both at risk. ## Who they are Zee is a Gy of high standing whose intellect and command of vril set her apart, yet she is drawn to the narrator with a tenderness that startles even her. Her affection collides with her people's contempt for a Tish, and she knows the cost of that preference better than he does. When the Silent Hours come, she proves that her loyalty outlasts any hope of being loved in return. ## Relationships ### [Gy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_race_se/characters/gy) _friendship_ Gy and Zee share a warm, sibling-like bond, with Gy often seeking Zee's guidance and approval. ### [Aph-Lin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_race_se/characters/aph_lin) _family_ Aph-Lin is Zee's father, and their relationship is one of mutual respect and affection, with Zee being his favored child. ### [Taë](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_race_se/characters/tae) _friendship_ Taë and Zee are friendly acquaintances, with Taë showing admiration for Zee's knowledge and status. ### [Tur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_race_se/characters/tur) _romantic_ Tur harbors unrequited romantic feelings for Zee, which fuels his jealousy toward the narrator. ### [Bra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_race_se/characters/bra) _social_ Bra and Zee have a respectful but formal acquaintance, with Bra occasionally seeking Zee's opinion on cultural matters. ### [Aph-Lin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_race_se/characters/aph_lin) _family_ Aph-Lin is Zee's father, and their relationship is one of mutual respect and affection, with Zee being his favored child. ### [Taë](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_race_se/characters/tae) _friendship_ Taë and Zee are friendly acquaintances, with Taë showing admiration for Zee's knowledge and status. ### [Taë](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_race_se/characters/tae) _friendship_ Taë and Zee are friendly acquaintances, with Taë showing admiration for Zee's knowledge and status. ### [Tur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_race_se/characters/tur) _romantic_ Tur harbors unrequited romantic feelings for Zee, which fuels his jealousy toward the narrator. ### [Gy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_race_se/characters/gy) _friendship_ Gy and Zee share a warm, sibling-like bond, with Gy often seeking Zee's guidance and approval. ### [Bra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_race_se/characters/bra) _social_ Bra and Zee have a respectful but formal acquaintance, with Bra occasionally seeking Zee's opinion on cultural matters. ### [Tur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_race_se/characters/tur) _romantic_ Tur harbors unrequited romantic feelings for Zee, which fuels his jealousy toward the narrator. ## In the story ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_race_se/chapters/v) Not directly mentioned in this chapter. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_race_se/chapters/vi) Aph-Lin's daughter and a member of the College of Sages; she created a dictionary to learn the narrator's language and instructs him. ### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_race_se/chapters/vii) Explains vril and its properties; uses vril to teach the narrator language and puts him to sleep with a gesture. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_race_se/chapters/viii) Enters and enforces her father's law prohibiting questions about the guest's identity or past. ### [Chapter IX: The History and Government of the Vril-ya](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_race_se/chapters/ix) Zee, as an erudite professor, provides the narrator with detailed accounts of the discovery and properties of vril. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_race_se/chapters/xi) Offers scientific and philosophical conjectures about the interior earth's temperature, the medium 'Lai,' and the role of vril in shaping the environment. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_race_se/chapters/xv) Explains Vril-ya superiority through natural selection; critiques upper world's competitive systems and predicts eventual Vril-ya domination. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_race_se/chapters/xvi) A magnificent Gy who explains the properties of vril and matter; argues that the An originated with the capacity to receive the idea of a Divine Being; displays formidable strength and learning. ### [Chapter XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_race_se/chapters/xviii) Mentioned by Taë as knowledgeable about differences among Vril-ya communities. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_race_se/chapters/xx) Scientific Gy who instructs the narrator on flight, saves him from a fall, and reveals her romantic interest with softening voice and eyes. ### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_race_se/chapters/xxi) Described as wise, strong, gentle, and beloved; her protective and nurturing nature is highlighted, along with her affection for the narrator. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_race_se/chapters/xxii) Mentioned as a potential travel companion and as having romantic interest in the narrator; described as a guardian figure. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_race_se/chapters/xxiii) Flies to meet the narrator, openly declares her love, and is rebuffed by him. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_race_se/chapters/xxv) Visits narrator in his chamber, confesses love, proposes spiritual union, and offers to flee with him. ### [Chapter XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_race_se/chapters/xxvi) Reserved and silent at meals; the narrator's fears of her affection fade. ### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_race_se/chapters/xxvii) Taë's sister, a princess, descends from the palace to speak with the narrator, but is chastised by Taë. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_race_se/chapters/xxviii) Her confession to Aph-Lin is cited as the cause of the death sentence. ### [The Escape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_race_se/chapters/xxix) Defies the council's decree, reopens the chasm, and carries the narrator aloft; bids him a sorrowful farewell, sealing the chasm forever. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_race_se/characters/zee - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_race_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_coming_race_se/characters