James Twiggs:In my opinion, one’s
reading of Pale Fire is the crucial test case. Is the book an expression of
skepticism or a profession of faith? If forced to say one or the other, I have
always leaned toward the first of these alternatives, largely because that’s
where the comedy is richest, darkest, and deepest...
JM: Last Sunday I finally managed to
outline one of my theories about "Pale Fire" (which is still awaiting to be
posted here). I consider that in Pale Fire ( and elsewhere) Nabokov has
tried both ways (express his skepticism and make a profession of faith).
Like his former Invitation to a Beheading and Bend
Sinister also Pale Fire should be read from the perspective
of its being a novel about "bunglings" (police, spies, doctors, poets,
metaphysicians, parents, aso). A cruel satire, parody, pastiche (you choose)
about mankind and society. I try to demonstrate, through Shade's two
mentions about the word "hope" in his poem, that Nabokov was trying to express,
by distinguishing "real life in fiction" from "fictional life in
fiction", while blending them in a particular way at the same time [like he
does in the sparkling chapters of "Mademoiselle" ( I think, didn't check it
now), when he holds a ball of American snow in his cupped hand and is
transported to the snow in Vyra held by him as a small boy ].... well, that
he is indicating his hope that his fatherland, Russia, will recover from its
plight and conquer a former "majesty." A patriotic moment, while remaining loyal
to his new adopted country. The "Restauration" theme all over again, a
personal hope in the afterlife extended to his country.