Dear Don,
 
It is curious that there are so many fires in VN´s novels and the word "ardor" is never connected to those itching flames of sex and burn, so often mentioned by VN. I´d been referring to them since  TT´s "l´aiguillon rouge" (  sexual sting causing a burning sensation?), the various hot burning barn metaphors in Ada about sexual stimulation...
John called attention to "ardeur" in French and he wrote:" The word 'ardeur'  (used as a subtitle in the French Translation) can most closely be translated by English 'lust, while the English word is for most of us a slightly bookish synonym for 'energy, enthusiasm'. "
But if this John is the latinist, why not go to its Latin root and their ramifications?  I´m not able to, but I can copy what I find in 
my experience with Portuguese.
The  Portuguese/English Webster brings:
1. ardência:  ardency, ardor, fervency;
2. ardente:  ardent, hot, burning, fiery, ablaze, impassioned,eager, intense.
3. arder: to burn with a flame, to blaze; glow, to smart, rage ( burn with desire, rage or fever )
4. ardor:  ardor, zeal, fierceness, passion, heat, hotness, "pep" , eagerness, itching, burning sensation. 
 Jansy
 
----- Original Message -----
From: Donald B. Johnson
To: NABOKV-L@LISTSERV.UCSB.EDU
Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2005 11:58 PM
Subject: Fwd: Ada & Dar



----- Forwarded message from chaiselongue@earthlink.net -----
    Date: Sat, 15 Jan 2005 18:48:03 -0800
    From: Carolyn <chaiselongue@earthlink.net>



I believe that  Dar was originally to be titled Da


I have wondered about the full title: Ada or Ardor (Ardor = Dar or), making
the circular title Ada or Dar or [Ada or .  .  .  etc.]

Had I read Dar or The Gift I might be able to comment further.

Carolyn

----- End forwarded message -----


I believe that  Dar was originally to be titled Da


I have wondered about the full title: Ada or Ardor (Ardor = Dar or), making the circular title Ada or Dar or [Ada or .  .  .  etc.]

Had I read Dar or The Gift I might be able to comment further.

Carolyn