Nabokov Study

As one of the most important writers in the 20^th century, Vladimir Nabokov (1899-1977) made a substantial contribution to Russian literature and English literature. So far, dozens of books and numerous articles have been devoted to various aspects of his life and his works and not surprisingly, we have different images of him---a Russian writer, an American writer, a transcendentalism a modernist, an aesthete, a postmodernist etc. However, a question still remains unanswered: which image is closer to him? After an in-depth study of Nabokov's cultural identity, theoretical statements and creative practices, this paper attempts to spotlight a hidden new image, that is, a liberal ironist in Richard Rorty's sense.As a liberal ironist, Nabokov stands at the dividing line between dallying and delivering. Except this sole belief that cruelty is the worst matter of human beings, he does not believe any other grand concepts or ideas. On the surface his writings focus on cruelty but in essence aims at cracking the riddle how to avoid it. He argues that only the well combinations of curiosity, kindness, tenderness and ecstasy can keep cruelty at bay and the absence of one of the four factors will surely lead to its occurrence.Besides Introductory and Conclusion, the main body of this dissertation consists of eight chapters. Introductory first makes a brief historical survey of studies on Nabokov in Russia, America and China respectively and then goes on to put forth the theoretical basis of this dissertation and the steps how to develop this dissertation. Chapter One focuses on the contingency of Nabokov as a peculiar individual in language, life and culture. Chapter Two, Three and Four deal with his views on kitsch, individualism and memory respectively. Chapter Five, Six, Seven and Eight analyze his four major novels, namely, Bend Sinister, Lolita, Pnin and Pale Fire, in hopes of bringing his new image to light Last comes Conclusion, winding up my dissertation with the emphasis on cruelty as a major concern in Nobokov's writing.