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Subject:
RE: [NABOKV-L] J Friedman re: Kunin reply to A.S.Brown on PF |
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From:
George Shimanovich <gshiman@optonline.net> |
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Date:
Thu, 31 Aug 2006 23:54:27 -0400 |
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To:
"'Vladimir Nabokov Forum'" <NABOKV-L@LISTSERV.UCSB.EDU> |
Jerry,
I questioned search for a key to a novel not to its themes. Orwell’s ‘1984’, Chernishevsky’s ‘What is to be done?’, Dostoyevsky’s ‘Crime and Punishment’ all have keys which pleasantly, or not so, turn in reader’s head – that’s why these writers are so popular with what is respectfully called socially conscious readers. Hidden story is never fully solvable, isn’t that why we call it hidden? It pushes reader beyond the composition by shifting perspective. Will it be a stretch to say that in VN’s works, the subject, its surface, is secondary to hidden story, themes, texture? Interesting that you said “after ‘Glory’”, – ‘Glory’ has very loaded subject (never equaled in later works), which could almost pass for the story with the key, if not for mysterious ending, which throws away the key and basically starts proper reading.
On the chess note, the games of best modern players, won or drawn, are decided on nuances, and often times the best patterns (beautiful win, subtle loss) are not played. Some may compare VN’s novels to drawn games (seldom positive protagonist, often disagreeable victor, strange landscapes void of refreshingly watery dialogs - ‘Ada’ anyone?), but look at the variants!
- George