Subject
Cora Day and the color of hope
From
Date
Body
----- Original Message -----
From: Nick Grundy
To: Vladimir Nabokov Forum
Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2003 2:21 PM
Subject: Re: Fw: Cora Day and the color of hope
Carolyn said:
>I can't recall where in Nabokov's work he (or one of his characters?) castigates a student who sees symbolism in the green >leaves of trees because "green is the color of hope." (Pale Fire?)
Your hunch is correct - it's John Shade, in Pale Fire, talking about marking student's exam scripts -
"[.]there are certain trifles I do not forgive.'[.]'Not having to read the required book. Having read it like an idiot. Looking in it for symbols; example: "The author uses the striking image green leaves because green is the symbol of happiness and frustration." (note to line 172, p.126 of my Penguin edition)
Nick.