# James Vane — The Picture of Dorian Gray character guide

> James Vane in The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Jim, James, old Jim, Jim Vane, James I

**First appearance:** 0005-iv

## Snapshot

A sailor bound for Australia who loves his sister fiercely and swears to hunt down the man who wronged her.

## Who they are

James is Sibyl's older brother, rough-mannered and suspicious of the gentleman who calls her a princess. Before sailing away, he extracts a promise from their mother to guard Sibyl, and vows that if anyone harms her he will find them, wherever they hide. His absence and his oath hang over the middle of the book, giving Dorian's charmed life a shadow that no portrait can absorb.

## Relationships

### [Sibyl Vane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters/sibyl_vane)

_family_

James is Sibyl's protective brother who vows revenge on Dorian after Sibyl's death.

### [Dorian Gray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters/dorian_gray)

_rivalry_

James Vane hunts Dorian to avenge his sister Sibyl's death, becoming a direct physical threat to Dorian.

### [Sibyl Vane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters/sibyl_vane)

_family_

James is Sibyl's protective brother who vows revenge on Dorian after Sibyl's death.

### [Sibyl Vane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters/sibyl_vane)

_family_

James is Sibyl's protective brother who vows revenge on Dorian after Sibyl's death.

### [Dorian Gray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters/dorian_gray)

_rivalry_

James Vane hunts Dorian to avenge his sister Sibyl's death, becoming a direct physical threat to Dorian.

## In the story

### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/v)

Heartsick at leaving home, suspicious of Dorian, and threatens to kill him if he wrongs Sibyl.

### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/xvii)

Seen by Dorian through the conservatory window, causing Dorian to faint.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/xviii)

Accidentally shot dead in the thicket while stalking Dorian; his body is identified by Dorian.

### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/chapters/xx)

Dorian reflects that James Vane is buried in a nameless grave in Selby churchyard.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters/james_vane
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_picture_of_dorian_gray_se/characters