Vladimir Nabokov

NABOKV-L post 0015093, Wed, 4 Apr 2007 23:08:29 -0400

Subject
QUERY: Spiral / Helical Staircases
From
Date
Body
In both Pale Fire and Ada, the spiral staircase is either in the
library or connects to a library.

In Pale Fire, Gradus descends the staircase while a "Hindu library
assistant" stands at the top of the spiral with catalogue card in
hand. In Ada, Van and Ada ascend on a semi-secret spiral staircase
to the library where the "night of the Burning Barn" takes place.

In both novels the spiral staircase and library themes are
intertwined.

I doubt this answers your question since you mention both in your
query but thought I'd just bring this into the equation.

---Suellen

Suellen Stringer-Hye
Vanderbilt University
Website:http://staffweb.library.vanderbilt.edu/libtech/stringer/
Email: suellen.stringer-hye@Vanderbilt.Edu

--On Tuesday, April 03, 2007 7:08 PM -0400 NABOKV-L
<NABOKV-L@HOLYCROSS.EDU> wrote:

> Dear list,
>
> Spiral staircases appear in several of VN's works. Podtyagin
> descends one in Mary, Gradus descends a "helical staircase" in
> the Wordsmith library, and Van runs down a short spiral
> staircase to meet Ada. I am also aware of the hidden spiral
> staircase in VN's chilhood home. Beyond these, what other spiral
> staircases appear in VN's works? I'm sure I'm missing some.
>
> Thanks,
> Matt Roth

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