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Re: [NABOKOV-L][Tangential Nabokov] Demonic nymphtets: the beauty
and the beast
and the beast
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JM: Nabokov describes nymphic enchantment in connection to something "demonic," not actually "animal." Nevertheless, on chapter 31, when HH
describes "nymphet love" he concludes that "the beastly and beautiful merged at one point, and it is that borderline I would like to fix, and
I feel I fail to do so utterly..."
Sergei Soloviev: I think it is a very good observation. Is it not related also to the theme that "superhuman" and "underhuman" somewhat are similar? It is human - to reflect on the "self", but the gods (at least, in the antique sense) - are they interested in self-reflection? Similar to "animal grace" - absolute knowledge (and "sureness") kills reflection and is similar to "instinct".
JM:A curious point (ie: that it's the imperfect being, the humans, that need to become aware of themselves, whereas perfection is silent) because it sheds light on Humbert Humbert's voluminous confessions and his incipient moments of self-reflection. HH's sheer excesses of "sin"as being the motor of his art and exuberance. He apprehended only vaguely that "the beastly and the beautiful merged" - in him.
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describes "nymphet love" he concludes that "the beastly and beautiful merged at one point, and it is that borderline I would like to fix, and
I feel I fail to do so utterly..."
Sergei Soloviev: I think it is a very good observation. Is it not related also to the theme that "superhuman" and "underhuman" somewhat are similar? It is human - to reflect on the "self", but the gods (at least, in the antique sense) - are they interested in self-reflection? Similar to "animal grace" - absolute knowledge (and "sureness") kills reflection and is similar to "instinct".
JM:A curious point (ie: that it's the imperfect being, the humans, that need to become aware of themselves, whereas perfection is silent) because it sheds light on Humbert Humbert's voluminous confessions and his incipient moments of self-reflection. HH's sheer excesses of "sin"as being the motor of his art and exuberance. He apprehended only vaguely that "the beastly and the beautiful merged" - in him.
Search archive with Google:
http://www.google.com/advanced_search?q=site:listserv.ucsb.edu&HL=en
Contact the Editors: mailto:nabokv-l@utk.edu,nabokv-l@holycross.edu
Visit Zembla: http://www.libraries.psu.edu/nabokov/zembla.htm
View Nabokv-L policies: http://web.utk.edu/~sblackwe/EDNote.htm
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Manage subscription options: http://listserv.ucsb.edu/