Vladimir Nabokov

NABOKV-L post 0007454, Thu, 23 Jan 2003 11:24:26 -0800

Subject
Pnin in Pale Fire
Date
Body
----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Rabiee" <costanza2000@yahoo.com>
>
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> Dear list,
>
> Perhaps one answer can come from our understanding of
> Pnin's "Vladimir Nabokov" -- the most seemingly
> reliable of our various unreliably Nabakovian
> narrators. Perhaps VN/VNt (t for text) are
> intentionally attempting to paint a more compassionate
> picture of poor Timofey; remember that VNt takes many
> liberties in his filling in of Pnin's personal
> history, and even Pnin denies a tangible connection
> between the two. Of course, I don't necessarily
> believe this -- I should like to think that Pnin is
> every bit as sweet as we are led to believe -- but it
> is a possible explanation. Our understanding of
> Kinbote, however, leads us to lean towards his being
> wholly unreliable. This, as many have said, seems to
> be the most obvious (and correct) interpretation. But
> remember, also, that Kinbote may indeed be Shade
> himself...so what does this say about Shade? Is Shade
> another VNt, working against Pnin instead of for him?
>
> Oi. Alright, just a few (fairly obvious) ideas. That's
> about as much I can decipher.
>
> Best regards,
>
>
> Robert Y. Rabiee