Vladimir Nabokov

NABOKV-L post 0011823, Sun, 11 Sep 2005 12:30:13 -0700

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Fwd: RE: Re: PALE FIRE diagram
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Dear Carolyn,

I found the article just when I was about to give up the search. My abstract
is very succinct due to lack of time, and I apologize. My sole reason for
bringing up this piece is the fact that Jo Morgan failed to admit from the
outset her indebtedness to it.

"Hiding in Plain Sight: Nabokov and Pedophilia" Texas Studies in Literature
and Language, vol 32, no.3 (Fall 1990)468-484.

Centerwall sets out to prove that VN was a closet pedophile:
his tenacious preoccupation with a theme in The Gift, The Enchanter, Lolita,
the screenplay, the Russian Version;
his scrupulous avoidance of any literary allusions to Lewis Carroll;
his choice for the name Humbert Humbert which is analogous to Vadim Vadimych
(see LATH);
his attempts to publish the novel pseudonymously.
Zina's relationship to her stepfather in The Gift is analyzed as being
incestuous.
"By modeling major identifying features of his pedophile self upon himself
(both Humbert Humbert and Nabokov are European emigres who teach comparative
literature in American colleges), the author directs suspicions away from
himself," p.477.
the roots of his pedophilia lie in his passion for butterflies, see VN's
encounter of HH in the screenplay, and since "his appetite for impaling
butterflies began about age seven, it is there that we must look for the
roots of his pedophilia." p. 479. Uncle Ruka was a pedophile and he made VN
his sole heir; the reason for this must have been for services rendered.
Coincidences: when Ruka was 37 VN was twelve, just like HH and Lolita. He
died of a chronic heart attack at 42, as does HH. VN's obsession with
killing butterflies was an outlet of his rage at his beloved parents
permitting him to be fondled by his uncle. It is likely this experience
which permitted VN's empathy with Lolita's wretchedness. But there must have
been more.
HH does not describe fellatio, and when Lolita refers to that act HH finds
it so disgusting he resorts to French to mention it. Centerwall adduces the
mural in the motel of "a choking snake sheathing whole the flayed trunk of a
shoat," (480)equating the child molester with a pig, his young victim with a
choking snake. The scene, he argues, points to another where a young boy is
choking as he is gently coerced into fellating his "pig-uncle". No wonder
"he yearned to exorcise magically his secret shame by making another child
endure what he had suffered," (480)HH has an uncle Gustave and there is
Gaston, a pederast, and at one time he calls him Gustave. The first time HH
sees Quilty he hallucinates by seeing Uncle Gustave and HH vomits. This is
linked to the mural.
"The brilliance of a chess problem cannot be appreciated until it is solved.
Nabokov pushed the limit -closer, closer, closer- to see how near he could
approach revelation without finally crossing the line into exposure and
disgrace." 481.

A. Bouazza.


-----Original Message-----
From: Vladimir Nabokov Forum [mailto:NABOKV-L@LISTSERV.UCSB.EDU]On
Behalf Of Donald B. Johnson
Sent: 09 September 2005 01:52
To: NABOKV-L@LISTSERV.UCSB.EDU
Subject: Fwd: Re: PALE FIRE diagram




----- Forwarded message from chaiselongue@earthlink.net -----
Date: Thu, 08 Sep 2005 16:48:40 -0800
From: Carolyn Kunin <chaiselongue@earthlink.net>
Reply-To: Carolyn Kunin <chaiselongue@earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: PALE FIRE diagram
To: Vladimir Nabokov Forum

Dear A. Bouazza,

Yes, thanks. I found it. And thanks for looking for the Centerwall.

Carolyn

----- End forwarded message -----

----- End forwarded message -----