Vladimir Nabokov

NABOKV-L post 0013626, Sun, 15 Oct 2006 21:02:02 -0400

Subject
Vseslav -> Charles Beloved
Date
Body
If Botkin reinvented himself in Kinbote then transforming his first name
'Vseslav' into Charles Beloved makes sense. Vselslav is Russian royal name
by origin (e.g. Vseslav of Polotsk). Russian 'vse' mean all, 'slava' - fame.
Origin of invented first name 'Charles' is "manly, full grown". No royal
first name in English matches Vseslav, so nickname (Beloved) had to be used.
"Manly, full grown" Charles suited Botkin who refers to himself in Foreword
as 'clumsy giant', with his 'manly customs'. If one were to find the first
name / nickname match for royal Vseslav then Charles Beloved makes the cut.
Kinbote last name is almost secondary.



- George


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