Motif of Infidelity in V. Nabokov’s Laughter in the Dark

Martyna Sienkiewicz
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Martyna Sienkiewicz: University of Warsaw, Poland

European Journal of Language and Literature Studies, 2025, vol. 11, issue 3, 86-94

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to present the model and function of infidelity in one of V. Nabokov's Russian-language novels, The Laughter in the Dark. The infidelity motif plays a key role in character creation and the development of the action. The characters are immersed in a complicated infidelity scheme, interchanging and forming an unusual plot spider web. The novel under discussion, in terms of structure and subject, recalls the previous novel by the Russian-American author – King, Queen, Knave. Moreover, the infidelity motif is additionally complemented by other motifs recurring in Nabokov's works (butterflies, mirrors, crime and punishment, and more).

Keywords: Nabokov; infidelity; motif; theme; model; function; Lolita (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eur:ejlsjr:242

DOI: 10.26417/8xrgt197

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