Herman Nabokov Symbolism Essay

Russian Formalism It is uncommon that a character in a story tells the reader that he cannot be trusted. This is the case in Despair by Vladimir Nabokov. Herman´s unreliable character is a reflection of Nabokov's writing through his characterization. His frequent unordinary portrayal of characters causes his work to stand out. Herman informs the reader in the beginning of the novel that the majority of what he says is not true. ¨...that bit about my mother was a deliberate lie...I could, of course, have crossed it out, but I purposely leave it there as a sample of one of my essential traits: my light-hearted, inspired lying¨ (Nabokov Despair 4). Additionally, the prevalent use of symbols throughout the novel accentuates the double-sidedness of Herman through the dreadful darkness and the light side as well. Nabokov emphasizes the development of Herman’s character …show more content…
He uses the color purple frequently. He utilizes violets, or darker purples, and lilacs, or lighter purples to describe the happiness or the sadness. “A few pale violets were fading in his buttonhole... “(9). The recurring colors reveal to the reader the two sides of Herman through symbolism. However, the colors are not the only symbols representing this. When Herman meets Felix, he believes that he is the mirror image of himself, when it is quite possible that he is the only one who believes so. His character is full of himself forcing him to see things as a way to benefit him. “Look here, you...Don’t you really see anything?” (11). This is what Herman says to Felix after he sees him for the first time. Herman is in awe because finding his “doppleganger is miraculous to him since it is something so beaustiful. However, Felix does not see the resemblance. Herman says to Felix, “You must be blind” (11). This could be because for some reason, Herman sees the outside world very selfishly and