Subject
Red Admiral vs Cabbage White
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Both of these revisions clearly establish the immanency of death as signaled
by the Red Admiral--just as it does in PF.
Dear Don,
The Red Admiral as a harbinger of death is not an invention of Nabokov's - -
it is a 17th century convention in art history. Probably derived from the
ancient Greek association between the two meanings of psyche: butterfly,
soul.
I found reference to this imagery in Miriam Rothschild's book Butterfly
Cooing like a Dove. The interesting thing, to me especially, is the contrast
with the symbol of white butterflies which indicate resurrection and
immortality. In apposition, the Red Admiral signifies death and damnation.
Both types appear in PF, the earlier Cabbage White I think, and the later
Red Admiral. Is it possible VN was not aware of these associations?
Carolyn
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