Vladimir Nabokov

Alladaye, René. "Through the Looking-Glass": Pale Fire As Anamorphosis: An Alternative Theory of Internal Authorship. 2012

Author(s)
Bibliographic title
"Through the Looking-Glass": Pale Fire As Anamorphosis: An Alternative Theory of Internal Authorship
Periodical or collection
Nabokov Online Journal
Periodical issue
v. 6
Publication year
Abstract
The essay reignites the “classical” “sole or dual authorship” debate about Pale Fire and suggests a new approach. Pale Fire can be read as a literary variation on anamorphosis and Holbein’s famous painting, The Ambassadors. If we adopt this notion, claims Alladaye, the novel’s narrative structure appears in a different light. Depending on the angle we favour, Hazel or Sybil Shade might appear as the authors of both poem and commentary.