Vivian Grey the assumption that Vivian Grey is synonymous with the young Benjamin Disraeli. The British poet Mary Montgomerie Lamb took her pen name 'Violet Fane' from a character in this novel. Some commentaters have suggested that "Vivian Grey" influenced Oscar Wilde in the writing of his only novel, "The Picture of Dorian Gray". Vivian Grey Vivian Grey is Benjamin Disraeli's first novel, published by Henry Colburn in 1826. Originally published anonymously, ostensibly by a so-called "man of fashion," part 1 caused a considerable sensation in London society. Contemporary reviewers, suspicious of the numerous solecisms contained within the text, eventually identified the
The Picture of Dorian Gray Dorian possesses at the start of the story. Throughout, Lord Henry appears unaware of the effect of his actions upon the young man; and so frivolously advises Dorian, that "the only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. Resist it, and your soul grows sick with longing." As such, the devilish Lord Henry is "leading Dorian into an unholy pact, by manipulating his innocence and insecurity." In the preface to "The Picture of Dorian Gray" (1891), Wilde speaks of the sub-human Caliban character from "The Tempest". In chapter five, he writes: "He felt as if