Pale Fire

Vladimir Nabokov, a Russian-American novelist, poet, and entomologist, was born on April 22, 1899, in St. Petersburg, Russia. Nabokov came from a wealthy and intellectual family in prerevolutionary Russia. His early life was marked by privilege, but the family took flight following the Russian Revolution in 1917. The tumultuous events of his formative years, including his family's flight from Russia and their subsequent nomadic existence in Europe, had a lasting impact on him.

Nabokov's early life in exile fueled his interest in languages. Raised in a bilingual household, he was fluent in Russian and English from an early age and later acquired proficiency in French. His linguistic skills are evident in Pale Fire. In his early years, Nabokov wrote novels such as Invitation to a Beheading in Russian before they were translated into English under his supervision. Pale Fire was written in English, signifying Nabokov’s command of English as a poetic language. The novel's structure, consisting of a 999-line poem by John Shade followed by a commentary by the delusional Charles Kinbote, reflects Nabokov's fascination with language and its ability to shape perceptions.

Nabokov's academic pursuits were equally diverse. He studied at Cambridge University, where he delved into the world of lepidoptery, the study of

Unlock all 55 pages of this Study Guide

Plus, gain access to 8,550+ more expert-written Study Guides.

Including features:

+ Mobile App

+ Printable PDF

+ Literary AI Tools

Unlock Full Library