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Re: Nabokov on Truth (pravda and istina) - art's higher level?
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"When Tolstoy did happen to find it in himself,
in the splendor of his creative imagination, then, almost unconsciously, he was
on the right path. "
Not surprisingly, Nabokov says we may find truth internally, guided by imagination. Although, it seems Nabokov, unlike Tolstoy, was not looking for it.
Date: Wed, 2 Oct 2013 17:14:26 -0300
From: jansy.nabokv-L@AETERN.US
Subject: [NABOKV-L] Nabokov on Truth (pravda and istina) - art's higher level?
To: NABOKV-L@LISTSERV.UCSB.EDU
A few postings ago there was an
exchante between Frances Assa and me in connection to "Nabokov's truth". While
following his lecture on Tolstoy in "Lectures on Russian Literature," I found
something else, namely, Nabokov's own vision of "artistic truth", "everyday
truth" ("pravda") and "essential truth" ("istina") and how each one
may enrich or weaken the quality of a true work of art.
Here it is:
"What obsessed
Tolstoy, what obscured his genius, what now distresses the good reader, was
that, somehow, the process of seeking the Trugh seemed more imiportant to him
than the easy, vivid, brilliant discovery of the illusion of truth through the
medium of his artistic genius. Old Russian truth was never a comfortable
companionn; it had a violent temper and a heavy tread. It was not simply truth,
not merely everyday pravda but immortal istina - but the
inner light of truth.When Tolstoy did happen to find it in himself, in the
splendor of his creative imagination, then, almosst unconsciously, he was on the
right path. What does his tussle with the ruling Greek-Catholic Church matter,
what importance do his ethical opinions have, in the light of this or that
imaginative passage in any of his novels?
Essential truth, istina, is one of the few words in the
Russian language that cannot be rhymed. It has no verbal mate, no verbal
associations, it stands alone and aloof, with only a vague suggestion of the
root "to stand" in the dark brilliancy of its immemorial rock. Most
Russian writers have been tremendously interested in Truth's exact whereabouts
and essential properties [ ]Tolstoy marched straight at it, head
bent and fists clenched, and found the place where the cross had once stood, or
found - the image of his own self." (LRL,p.141)
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in the splendor of his creative imagination, then, almost unconsciously, he was
on the right path. "
Not surprisingly, Nabokov says we may find truth internally, guided by imagination. Although, it seems Nabokov, unlike Tolstoy, was not looking for it.
Date: Wed, 2 Oct 2013 17:14:26 -0300
From: jansy.nabokv-L@AETERN.US
Subject: [NABOKV-L] Nabokov on Truth (pravda and istina) - art's higher level?
To: NABOKV-L@LISTSERV.UCSB.EDU
A few postings ago there was an
exchante between Frances Assa and me in connection to "Nabokov's truth". While
following his lecture on Tolstoy in "Lectures on Russian Literature," I found
something else, namely, Nabokov's own vision of "artistic truth", "everyday
truth" ("pravda") and "essential truth" ("istina") and how each one
may enrich or weaken the quality of a true work of art.
Here it is:
"What obsessed
Tolstoy, what obscured his genius, what now distresses the good reader, was
that, somehow, the process of seeking the Trugh seemed more imiportant to him
than the easy, vivid, brilliant discovery of the illusion of truth through the
medium of his artistic genius. Old Russian truth was never a comfortable
companionn; it had a violent temper and a heavy tread. It was not simply truth,
not merely everyday pravda but immortal istina - but the
inner light of truth.When Tolstoy did happen to find it in himself, in the
splendor of his creative imagination, then, almosst unconsciously, he was on the
right path. What does his tussle with the ruling Greek-Catholic Church matter,
what importance do his ethical opinions have, in the light of this or that
imaginative passage in any of his novels?
Essential truth, istina, is one of the few words in the
Russian language that cannot be rhymed. It has no verbal mate, no verbal
associations, it stands alone and aloof, with only a vague suggestion of the
root "to stand" in the dark brilliancy of its immemorial rock. Most
Russian writers have been tremendously interested in Truth's exact whereabouts
and essential properties [ ]Tolstoy marched straight at it, head
bent and fists clenched, and found the place where the cross had once stood, or
found - the image of his own self." (LRL,p.141)
Google Search the archive
Contact the Editors
Visit "Nabokov Online Journal"
Visit Zembla
View Nabokv-L Policies
Manage subscription options
Visit AdaOnline
View NSJ Ada Annotations
Temporary L-Soft Search the archive
All private editorial communications are
read by both co-editors.
Search archive with Google:
http://www.google.com/advanced_search?q=site:listserv.ucsb.edu&HL=en
Contact the Editors: mailto:nabokv-l@utk.edu,nabokv-l@holycross.edu
Visit Zembla: http://www.libraries.psu.edu/nabokov/zembla.htm
View Nabokv-L policies: http://web.utk.edu/~sblackwe/EDNote.htm
Visit "Nabokov Online Journal:" http://www.nabokovonline.com
Manage subscription options: http://listserv.ucsb.edu/