Vladimir Nabokov (1948 [1998]) Speak, Memory.

Poets make the best prose writers. I’m no poet. So I should know. Speak, Memory is a collection of pre-Second World War articles published before Nabokov had written and published Lolita.

I’ve read Lolita and Pale Fire.

I use the past tense and use the term ‘read’ imaginatively. My memory isn’t good. Pale Fire, I didn’t like or remember much other than vague shadows or reasons which I also can’t remember or don’t really care, which is perhaps the most damning of all.

Lolita is easier to remember. But is overshadowed by Jeremy Irons. He played the narrator (whose name I forget) in the movie version.  Did Shirley…and I keep thinking Jackson here—even though I know it’s the wrong name—play Lolita’s mother?  

Speak Memory indeed. I’m better at shutting up. Read on.

Notes:

Nabokovian show meaning and related associations?

• The term "Nabokovian" refers to characteristics or qualities associated with the works of Vladimir Nabokov, a renowned Russian-American author. His writing is often marked by a lush, descriptive style, intricate wordplay, and a deep sense of irony or absurdity. Nabokov's works, such as Lolita and Pale Fire, are celebrated for their complex narrative structures and exploration of themes like memory, identity, and art.
• The term is also used to describe anything that embodies these literary traits or resembles Nabokov's unique approach to storytelling. For example, a "Nabokovian show" might imply a production with layered narratives, rich language, or a playful yet profound exploration of human experience.
• Common themes in Nabokov's works include memory, identity, and the nature of reality. He often explores how individuals construct their own identities through memories, which can be subjective and unreliable. Other recurring themes include love, obsession, exile, and the interplay between art and life.
• Works with Nabokovian influences often feature unreliable narrators, layered narratives, and a playful use of language. Examples include the film The Grand Budapest Hotel (Wes Anderson), the novel Atonement (Ian McEwan), and the television series The Affair. These works share his exploration of perception, memory, and truth.
• Nabokov often tackles difficult subjects, like obsession or morality, with a mix of sensitivity and detachment. He focuses on the psychological and artistic dimensions of these topics, encouraging readers to explore the human condition without providing easy answers or judgments
• Nabokov weaves a non-linear narrative in Speak, Memory, guiding readers through a labyrinth of time and memory. The book's structure mirrors the workings of memory itself, with its unpredictability, digressions, and moments of clarity. This mirrors Nabokovian fiction, where layered narratives and unconventional structures challenge readers to actively engage with the text.
• Nabokov’s identity as an émigré profoundly shapes Speak, Memory. The memoir explores his dual sense of belonging and displacement, capturing the pain of exile and the joy of rediscovering his roots through memory. This theme resonates with other works like Lolita, where characters grapple with fragmented identities and the elusive nature of home.
• The Power of Perception: Nabokov's focus on the minutiae of perception is central to his enduring appeal. He demonstrates how seemingly insignificant details – the pattern of wallpaper, the specific shade of a butterfly's wing – can hold immense emotional weight. This emphasis on the subjective nature of experience feels particularly relevant in our hyper-mediated world, where authenticity is often questioned.
• The Art of Memory as Creation: "Speak, Memory" isn't just about remembering; it's about creating. Nabokov acknowledges the inherent subjectivity of memory, admitting that he's not simply recording the past, but shaping it. He actively selects and arranges his memories, crafting a narrative that reflects his artistic vision. This understanding of memory as a creative act resonates with modern readers, who are increasingly aware of the constructed nature of identity and narrative.
• Vladimir Nabokov's synaesthesia was a fascinating neurological phenomenon where he experienced a blending of senses. For him, letters and sounds were vividly associated with specific colors. For instance, he described the letter "M" as pink and the sound of a violin as golden sparks.

• His father was Vladimir Dmitrievich Nabokov, a prominent lawyer, journalist, and liberal politician in pre-revolutionary Russia. His mother, Elena Ivanovna Rukavishnikova, came from an equally wealthy and cultured family. Her son’s synaesthesia may have come from her. She’s described as a great beauty (hmmm? After seeing pictures of her).
• Nabokov was a polyglot, fluent in Russian, English, and French. He used these languages extensively in his literary works, showcasing his remarkable multilingual abilities.
• His father spoke at least five languages fluently. As a liberal and writer on issues of jurisprudence he pondered what to do with wealthy men who were attracted to and used poor and pre-teen girls for their pleasure.
• George Orwell famously described good writing as being "like a windowpane." He believed that prose should be clear, straightforward, and devoid of unnecessary ornamentation, allowing the reader to see the message without distraction. This philosophy aligns with Orwell's preference for simplicity and directness in communication, particularly in works like *1984* and *Animal Farm*, where the clarity of ideas is paramount.
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• In contrast, Vladimir Nabokov's approach to writing is almost the opposite of Orwell's dictum. Nabokov often emphasized the beauty and artistry of language itself. He once wrote, "Style and structure are the essence of a book; great ideas are hogwash." For Nabokov, writing was an intricate, artistic process, where language was not just a medium for conveying meaning but a vital component of the work's beauty and complexity.
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• ### Comparing Orwell and Nabokov's Writing Philosophies:
• | **Aspect**             | **George Orwell**                     | **Vladimir Nabokov**                 |
• |-------------------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
• | **Purpose of Writing** | To clarify ideas and reveal truths.   | To create beauty and artistry.       |
• | **Language Style**     | Transparent and unadorned.           | Lush, intricate, and descriptive.    |
• | **Reader's Role**      | Passive recipient of clear ideas.     | Active participant in deciphering layers of meaning. |
• | **Focus**              | Simplicity and precision.            | Complexity, symbolism, and wordplay. |
• | **Philosophical View** | Writing serves a utilitarian purpose. | Writing is an art form in itself.    |
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• ### Summary
• While Orwell's "windowpane" writing prioritizes clarity and accessibility, Nabokov's style emphasizes the sensory and intellectual pleasures of language. These contrasting views reflect their respective aims: Orwell sought to illuminate truths with sharp precision, while Nabokov invited readers into richly textured worlds where language was as much an object of admiration as the story itself.
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•  The concept of memory has evolved significantly over time, from ancient Greek philosophy to modern neuroscience. Here's an overview of different types of memory, illustrated with examples, to show how the understanding of memory has developed:
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• ### Ancient Greek Thought on Memory
• 1. **Mimēsis (Imitative Memory)**: 
•    The Greeks, such as Plato, thought of memory as a form of imitation. Memory was seen as the mind's ability to "mirror" or reproduce what was perceived, much like an artist recreates a scene. 
•    - *Example*: A student learning poetry by heart was practicing mimēsis, where the focus was on replication.
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• 2. **Anamnesis (Recollection)**: 
•    Plato argued that learning is essentially recollection (anamnesis) of knowledge the soul already possesses from previous existences. This idea linked memory with eternal truths and metaphysics. 
•    - *Example*: A philosopher grasping the concept of justice might be "remembering" an ideal form of justice, according to Platonic thought.
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• ### Medieval and Renaissance Perspectives
• 1. **Ars Memoriae (The Art of Memory)**: 
•    During the medieval period, memory was considered a skill that could be cultivated through techniques like the "memory palace." This method involved mentally associating information with vivid images in specific locations. 
•    - *Example*: A scholar memorizing a speech might imagine walking through a grand palace where each room contains a symbolic object representing part of the speech.
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• ### Modern Psychological and Neuroscientific Approaches
• 1. **Episodic Memory**: 
•    This is the ability to recall personal experiences and specific events. Modern psychology emphasizes episodic memory's emotional and sensory details. 
•    - *Example*: Remembering your first day at school, complete with the smell of the classroom and the sound of the bell ringing.
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• 2. **Semantic Memory**: 
•    This involves general knowledge about the world, concepts, and facts, independent of personal experience. 
•    - *Example*: Knowing that the capital of Greece is Athens, without needing to have visited it.
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• 3. **Procedural Memory**: 
•    Procedural memory is the unconscious ability to remember how to perform tasks or skills. 
•    - *Example*: Riding a bicycle or typing on a keyboard, even if you can't explain exactly how you do it.
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• 4. **Working Memory**: 
•    This is the short-term memory system used for temporary storage and manipulation of information. 
•    - *Example*: Solving a math problem in your head by keeping intermediate calculations temporarily in mind.
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• 5. **Implicit Memory**: 
•    A type of memory that influences behaviour without conscious awareness, often tied to habits or conditioning. 
•    - *Example*: Feeling apprehensive when hearing thunder because it unconsciously reminds you of past storms.
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• 6. **Collective Memory**: 
•    Modern sociology also explores how groups of people share and preserve memories, such as cultural or historical events. 
•    - *Example*: The way societies remember significant events like wars or revolutions through monuments, rituals, and storytelling.
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 Other writers who exhibit Nabokovian qualities or use similar literary devices include:

1. **James Joyce**: 

   - *Example*: Joyce's wordplay in *Finnegans Wake* is dense and multifaceted, reminiscent of Nabokov's linguistic precision. Joyce, like Nabokov, creates a world where every sentence is layered with meaning.

2. **Italo Calvino**: 

   - *Example*: Calvino’s playful metafictional approach in *If on a Winter's Night a Traveler* mirrors Nabokov's narrative inventiveness and engagement with the act of storytelling itself.

3. **Thomas Pynchon**: 

   - *Example*: Pynchon's work, such as *Gravity's Rainbow*, reflects Nabokov's love of complex structures and satirical undertones.

4. **Marcel Proust**: 

   - *Example*: Proust's lyrical exploration of memory and time in *In Search of Lost Time* resonates with Nabokov’s themes in works like *Speak, Memory*.

5. **Salman Rushdie**: 

   - *Example*: Rushdie’s rich prose and use of magical realism, as seen in *Midnight's Children*, evoke Nabokov’s ability to blend the real and the surreal.

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