Pnin: A Sisyphus Unbounded

Nabokov's Pnin is his first successful novel in America. It was welcomed by readers as soon as it was published, but compared to Nabokov's other works like Lolita, researches of Pnin are very little both at home and abroad. The description of Pnin's unique character could best present Nabokov's reflection on the meaning of human life In the present thesis, concentration will be kept on the analysis of Pnin's unique character and his fate. In the process of doing so, existentialism, especially Sartre's chief views will be adopted to elaborate, thus to expect to solve a common problem of human beings, that is, how to be a real free man in this absurd world. The first chapter is devoted to Pnin's outside world. Pnin was forced to exile in America after the outbreak of Russian Revolution. Because he could not adapt to the utilitarian academic atmosphere and his alienated colleagues in Waindell College, Pnin became a"freak"in the eyes of others, which illustrated the contingency of human existence and the alienation of modern men. The second chapter is committed to Pnin's inner world. Pnin found his"the other world"in the indulgence of Russian culture, which made him different from self-deceptive people like Blorenge. So only a fulfilled inner world could endow one the power to sustain his or her individuality and freedom. The third chapter is assigned to Pnin's choices and actions, which is the realization of his freedom. Just as Sisyphus who still pushed the stone out of his feet even though he was conscious of his situation, Pnin tried to fulfill his value and assume his responsibilities as a free man in this absurd world, which also presented the dignity of human beings. The restriction in outside world should not prevent men from pursuing freedom, and modern society projects higher requirements on the realization of human values. Only one who is loyal to his inner world and responsible to the outside world could become a real free man.