“You two could be siblings!” Everyone has been told this at least once in their lifetime and more times than not, the two people who could be possible siblings look nothing alike. This was a frequent issue for Felix after he met Hermann Karlovich in the novel Despair by Vladmir Nabokov. Nabokov had a common theme in many of his works and a theme that is very prevalent in this novel- fake doubles. He creates a static and narcissistic protagonist, Hermann, that propels the plot forward and sets the base for Nabokov’s love for fake doubles. The novel is also heavily characterized by Hermann’s point of view, because the reader is given vivid descriptions of Hermann’s thoughts and desires. Symbols are found densely throughout this novel as well, giving it a more complex feel and emphasizes Nabokov’s prevailing theme. The author’s intellectual use of point of view, complex characters, and symbols in Despair help tell the engaging story of a narcissistic man with an instability of perception and an unique contemplation on artists.
The protagonist, narrator, and most complex character in the book is Hermann. He is somewhat irregular, but the reader’s awareness of how completely deluded …show more content…
However, the most prevalent symbol used in this novel is the color purple. “Our trademark on the wrapper showed a lady in lilac…” (Nabokov 5). Hermann also explains that he wears his favorite lilac tie whenever he meets Felix (Nabokov 81). These are only two examples of the many times that Nabokov references purple. According to Teleflora, purple lilac symbolizes undying faithfulness ("The Symbolism of Flower Colors Is Steeped in Tradition"). This makes sense in the context of Despair because Hermann had an undying faithfulness, almost obsession, with Felix and his “twin-like” features throughout the novel. Due to these symbols, the reader is able to follow along with the plot and understand Nabokov’s fake doubles
The protagonist, narrator, and most complex character in the book is Hermann. He is somewhat irregular, but the reader’s awareness of how completely deluded …show more content…
However, the most prevalent symbol used in this novel is the color purple. “Our trademark on the wrapper showed a lady in lilac…” (Nabokov 5). Hermann also explains that he wears his favorite lilac tie whenever he meets Felix (Nabokov 81). These are only two examples of the many times that Nabokov references purple. According to Teleflora, purple lilac symbolizes undying faithfulness ("The Symbolism of Flower Colors Is Steeped in Tradition"). This makes sense in the context of Despair because Hermann had an undying faithfulness, almost obsession, with Felix and his “twin-like” features throughout the novel. Due to these symbols, the reader is able to follow along with the plot and understand Nabokov’s fake doubles