Subject:
Re: [NABOKV-L] THOUGHTS re: "My Cue"
From:
Scott <chapelizod@gmail.com>
Date:
Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:28:02 -0400
To:
Vladimir Nabokov Forum <NABOKV-L@listserv.ucsb.edu>


    Perhaps the apparent 'sloppiness' is merely evidence that a proper gloss of the reference has not yet been achieved.  I think the key to this phrase lies in what has been omitted.  crucially, the subject of the biography has not been revealed.  we are asssuming that Quilty's is the life in question.  however, the possessive title "my cue", when read literally, makes no sense except as a reference to the author herself.  In other words, I would like to suggest that "My Cue" is an autobiography of Vivian Darkbloom.  The missing self-referential 'auto-' might be deliberate, subtly pointing out the fictitious veil between Ms. Vivian Darkbloom and the author whose place she holds.  After all, in the "real world", a fictional character may not be said to have written her own autobiography.  The "my cue" pun as a reference to quilty may then exist within a realm superior to the narrative, or "reality" of the story, and not have to follow any logic of aliases or renaming within the story itself. 

Scott Houldin
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