Subject
symmetry and the art of the possible
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> I suspect that all these enigmatic bio-math academic concepts (mirrors,
> duplications, redundancy, branching, asymmetry, disorder/order) are
> mirrored by existing philological terminology relevant to structure and
> morphology of literary texts, about which I know much less but other
> people may find it interesting to comment
>
> Victor Fet
Dear Victor Fet,
It occurs to me that the problem is one of time. Since a work of literature
can usually only be experienced through time the idea of symmetry becomes
problematic. On the other hand, in as much as the works can be contemplated
as pictures hung in some distant gallery (which I believe is VN's image,
quoted in DBJ's book) symmetry becomes possible.
My problem with the idea of Nabokov as an author of "novels full of
symmetry" is probably in the awkwardness of the expression, not in the
idea. Nabokov certainly makes use of symmetry in his novels, that I do
accept.
I am further intrigued though by your statement that disorder is derived
from order. Do you see this applying to Nabokov's novels? It reminds me of
the old definition of comedy - - the restoration of order following
disorder. So in art, if not in physics, this too becomes possible.
Carolyn
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> duplications, redundancy, branching, asymmetry, disorder/order) are
> mirrored by existing philological terminology relevant to structure and
> morphology of literary texts, about which I know much less but other
> people may find it interesting to comment
>
> Victor Fet
Dear Victor Fet,
It occurs to me that the problem is one of time. Since a work of literature
can usually only be experienced through time the idea of symmetry becomes
problematic. On the other hand, in as much as the works can be contemplated
as pictures hung in some distant gallery (which I believe is VN's image,
quoted in DBJ's book) symmetry becomes possible.
My problem with the idea of Nabokov as an author of "novels full of
symmetry" is probably in the awkwardness of the expression, not in the
idea. Nabokov certainly makes use of symmetry in his novels, that I do
accept.
I am further intrigued though by your statement that disorder is derived
from order. Do you see this applying to Nabokov's novels? It reminds me of
the old definition of comedy - - the restoration of order following
disorder. So in art, if not in physics, this too becomes possible.
Carolyn
Search the archive: http://listserv.ucsb.edu/archives/nabokv-l.html
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