ASPECTS OF IDENTITY IN VLADIMIR NABOKOV’S NOVELS
ASPECTS OF IDENTITY IN VLADIMIR NABOKOV’S NOVELS

Summary/Abstract: While it is pretty obvious that it is only our images that are reflected when we look intothe mirror, Vladimir Nabokov enjoys asking himself and his readers questions regardingour reflections of the self. Through his works, Nabokov suggests that our identities mightnot always be so easily separated. Our own perceptions of ourselves would not be theway they are if it was not for the others' perceptions, or what we believe them to be. He issuggesting that we should not trade our own identity, how we think we are, for the otherviewpoints that others may give us. But at the same time, he is telling us to be wary of theother perceptions, to be careful about how one is to look at things. Nabokov is able touse the theme of the 'double-character' to allow us to question our own perceptions andwhere they might form and how they might affect our actions. He is telling us never to betoo sure of what we think we are perceiving, while also asking us to remain true to ourself.

• Details
• Contents