JM: Nevertheless, the
diverse irradiating elements that arise from VN's metaphoric
games in "Lolita", concerning "nymphs" and "butterflies", are not at
all imprecise - as shown by D.Zimmer ( cf. complete postingfrom
January 6, 2009, under "Definitions: Nymphet")
"Now the word ‘nymph’ is used somewhat loosely in entomology[...] The
misunderstanding has arisen from the fact that Webster III has [...]
misleading – definition[...] This must be the reason why Karges (1985) argued
(p. 45) that “as a metaphor of youth, it [the word nymph] has no reference to
Lepidoptera” and was used by Nabokov out of “disingenuousness.” [...] In German
entomology, ‘Nymphe’ [...] designates the last pre-imaginal state (whether of
the larva or the pupa) which already shows the outlines of the wings the adult
will possess. Of this very stage, Nabokov said: “… in
certain species, the wings of the pupated butterfly begin to show in exquisite
miniature through the wing-cases of the chrysalis a few days before emergence.
It is the pathetic sight of an iridiscent future transpiring through the shell
of the past, something of the kind I experience when dipping into my books
written in the twenties.” (Int18 123)* [...] if Lolita is a little nymph,
she is a young individual [...] not yet sexually mature. Calling Lolita a
nymphet was not being disingenuous at all. It is a very apt metaphor.By the way,
Latin pupa means ‘girl,’ ‘doll.’ Dolly is a nymph, and the nymphet is a
doll."
D. Zimmer: 'Guide to Nabokov's Butterflies and Moths
(2001/2003)'.
...............................................................................................................
* The VN quotation, chosen by D.Zimmer, is striking. Nabokov
observes that his "iridiscent future" may be glimpsed through the shell
of his past writings. From what I recently learned about insect
growth ( only caterpillars add to their physical size and not the
metamorphosed butterly in its crystal case?), I understand that
VN might be stating that, even while at the "nymphic stage", he was
already fully developped, thereby recognizing the constancy of his
fundamental insights and, perhaps, how his essence remains independent from its
visible, material, written expression....
"And that secret, ta-ta, ta-ta-ta, ta-ta,
But more than that I may not tell you."