Lytton was fascinated with the occult especially wizards. He had all the implements for magical studies including rods for transmitting influences and crystal balls for contacting the departed souls. Lytton put his love of the magical into this romance. The Cabala and the alchemist are a part of this weird story. In Zanoni we have two distinct human characters. Mejnour is void of passion and feeling. He is pure intellect rather than a real man. The second is Zanoni who represents the ideal life possessed of eternal youth. His love for Viola brings him down from his perfect state in share in the cares and anxieties of the natural human state.