Despair

Summary

The novel «Despair» by Vladimir Nabokov tells the story of Hermann, a chocolate manufacturer who encounters his doppelgänger, a homeless man named Felix. Hermann decides to kill Felix to fake his own death and collect insurance money. However, his plan fails, and he ends up in prison. The novel explores themes of identity, moral decay, and self-deception, showcasing Nabokov's skill in creating complex and multi-layered characters.

Main Ideas

• Theme of duality and identity: The protagonist, Hermann, finds a man he believes to be his double and devises a murder plan to assume his identity.
• Moral decay and self-deception: Hermann justifies his actions and convinces himself of his genius despite clear moral and ethical violations.
• Irony and sarcasm: Nabokov employs an ironic and sarcastic tone to highlight the absurdity and futility of Hermann's actions.
• Psychological analysis: An exploration of the protagonist's inner world, his motives, fears, and self-deception.
• Critique of bourgeois society: Through Hermann's behavior and thoughts, Nabokov critiques the hypocrisy and emptiness of bourgeois values.

Historical Context and Significance

The novel «Despair» by Vladimir Nabokov, written in 1934, is an important work in 20th-century literature. It explores themes of duality, moral decline, and self-deception. The protagonist, Hermann, plans to commit the perfect crime by killing his double, leading to his own downfall. The book demonstrates Nabokov's mastery in creating complex psychological portraits and his unique narrative style. «Despair» has influenced subsequent literary works exploring themes of identity and moral ambiguity.

Main Characters and Their Development

• Hermann Karlovich — The main character and narrator, a chocolate manufacturer. He considers himself a genius and an extraordinary person, but his vanity and arrogance lead to tragic consequences. Hermann plans to commit the perfect crime by killing his double, but his plan fails, trapping him in his own vanity and illusions.
• Lydia — Hermann's wife, who plays a secondary role in his life. She neither understands nor supports his ambitions, which heightens his sense of loneliness and despair.
• Felix — Hermann's double, a poor and homeless man whom Hermann uses in his criminal plan. Felix becomes a victim of Hermann's manipulations, highlighting the tragedy and immorality of the protagonist's actions.

Style and Technique

In the novel «Despair», Vladimir Nabokov employs a complex and sophisticated language, rich with metaphors, allusions, and wordplay. The narrative style is characterized by a high degree of reflection and irony, allowing a deeper insight into the protagonist's psychology. Nabokov skillfully uses literary devices such as the unreliable narrator, intertextuality, and metafiction, creating a multi-layered and ambiguous work. The structure of the novel is non-linear, with frequent digressions and flashbacks, emphasizing the internal chaos and fragmentation of the protagonist's consciousness. The author also actively uses symbolism and motifs of duality, adding depth and complexity to the narrative.

Interesting Facts

• The main character, Hermann, considers himself a brilliant criminal and plans to commit the perfect murder, but his plans collapse due to his own overconfidence and mistakes.
• The novel is written in the form of the protagonist's confession, allowing the reader to delve deeper into his psyche and understand his motives.
• Nabokov uses elements of metafiction in the novel, with the protagonist addressing the reader and discussing the process of writing his story.
• The theme of duality is present in the novel, as Hermann meets a man he believes to be his double, which becomes a key element of the plot.
• Nabokov masterfully uses language and style, creating complex and multi-layered descriptions that highlight the protagonist's inner world and psychological state.

Book Review

«Despair» by Vladimir Nabokov is a psychological thriller that explores themes of identity, moral decay, and self-deception. The protagonist, Hermann, plans the perfect crime, but his vanity and overconfidence lead to catastrophic consequences. Critics praise Nabokov's skill in creating complex characters and his virtuoso command of language. The novel is filled with irony and philosophical reflections, making it a multi-layered and profound work. Some critics also highlight autobiographical elements and literary allusions, adding an additional level of interpretation. Overall, «Despair» is considered one of Nabokov's outstanding works, showcasing his unique style and intellectual sharpness.