Synthesized answer
The distinction between "greatness" and "truth" in the evaluation of "Vivian Grey" is based on its literary merit versus its fidelity to depicting contemporary life. While the novel is acknowledged as "beyond question a marvelously true picture of the life and character of an interesting period of English history" [1], it is explicitly stated that it is "not a great novel" [1]. The passages imply that literary "greatness" might be associated with more profound thematic exploration or stylistic innovation, which "Vivian Grey" may lack, while its "truth" is derived from its accurate portrayal of social and political life [1].
The description of "Vivian Grey"'s content supports this evaluation by highlighting its skill in capturing the essence of the era. The novel narrates the career of an ambitious young man of rank [1], and its author is noted for his "portrayal of the social and political life of the day" [1]. This includes preserving "the exact tone of the English drawing-room" and sketching "a whole portrait gallery of notables, disguised in name may be, but living characters nevertheless" [1]. The novel's effectiveness lies in its "fine imagination and vivid descriptive…
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From the book
is first work of fiction; and the young author was at once hailed as a master of his art by an almost unanimous press. In this, as in his subsequent books, it was not so much Disraeli’s notable skill as a novelist but rather his portrayal of the social and political life of the day that made him one of the most popular writers of his generation, and earned for him a lasting fame as a man of letters. In “Vivian Grey” is narrated the career of an ambitious young man of rank; and in this story the brilliant author has preserved to us the exact tone of the English drawing-room, as he so…
Roman coins. Vivian Grey’s English verses and Vivian Grey’s English themes were the subject of universal commendation. Some young lads made copies of these productions, to enrich, at the Christmas holidays, their sisters’ albums; while the whole school were scribbling embryo prize-poems, epics of twenty lines on “the Ruins of Paestum” and “the Temple of Minerva;” “Agrigentum,” and “the Cascade of Terni.” Vivian’s productions at this time would probably have been rejected by the commonest twopenny publication about town, yet they turned the brain of the whole school; while fellows who…
e should employ to individuals of a lower caste who were equally uninteresting?” “Certainly not,” said Mrs. Million. “The height of the ambition of the less exalted ranks is to be noble, because they conceive to be noble implies to be superior; associating in their minds, as they always do, a pre-eminence over their equals. But to be noble among nobles, where is the pre-eminence?” “Where indeed?” said Mrs. Million; and she thought of herself, sitting the most considered personage in this grand castle, and yet with sufficiently base blood flowing in her veins. “And thus, in the…
olly, and our constancy under caprice. “I have been often struck by the ancient tales of Jupiter’s visits to the earth. In these fanciful adventures, the god bore no indication of the Thunderer’s glory; but was a man of low estate, a herdsman, a hind, often even an animal. A mighty spirit has in Tradition, Time’s great moralist, perused ‘the wisdom of the ancients.’ Even in the same spirit, I would explain Jove’s terrestrial visitings. For, to govern man, even the god appeared to feel as a man; and sometimes as a beast, was apparently influenced by their vilest passions. Mankind, then,…
such a soul! It is a pity, though, her manner is so abrupt; she really does not appear to advantage sometimes; eh! Dr. Sly?” The Toadey’s Toadey bowed assent as usual. “Well,” rejoined Miss Graves, “that is rather a fault of the dear Marchioness, a little want of consideration for another’s feelings; but she means nothing.” “Oh, no! nor Mrs. Million, dear creature! She means nothing; though I dare say, not knowing her so well as we do; eh! Dr. Sly? you were a little surprised at the way in which she spoke to me at dinner.” “All people have their oddities, Miss Gusset. I am sure…
More questions about this book
- The publisher's note distinguishes Disraeli's early "creative period" from his later works, attributing changes to "old age." How might the novel "Vivian Grey," written by a twenty-one-year-old, reflect or be shaped by a youthful perspective, particularly in its portrayal of an "ambitious young man of rank"?
- Disraeli is lauded for preserving "the exact tone of the English drawing-room." Based on the brief opening description of Vivian's pampered infancy, what narrative elements or character details might already subtly begin to establish this specific social tone for the reader?
- The note emphasizes Disraeli's prominence as a statesman and how it "tended to obscure" his true literary period. How might Disraeli's dual identity as both a political figure and a novelist influence the reader's interpretation of his social and political commentary in "Vivian Grey," particularly concerning the "portrait gallery of notables"?
- The publisher places Disraeli's literary period alongside Dickens, Bulwer, Thackeray, and Scott. Considering the description of "Vivian Grey" as capturing "living characters... who charm us with their graceful manners," how does this portrayal align with or diverge from the typical social commentary and characterizations found in the works of his mentioned contemporaries?