On Jul 13, 2012, at 4:58 AM, Jansy wrote: I don't know much about Judaism, so I must take your word concerning the thought that the rejection of any hope for immortality "is very Jewish." (I thought there existed Jewish mystics and that the Cabbala.was an expression of just such a belief). It was not the Freudian "Todestrieb"that which Nabokov rejected in Freud, but how VN understood Freud's "interpretation of symbols" and tje freudian theory about Oedipal wishes in children and the Primal Scene.

Well, I did say that we [Jews] "have our seekers after immortality" as well. In fact, current Judaism believes in the bodily resurrection on the Day of Judgment, which is ostensibly why our coffins must not have nails, so that when the trumpet shall sound and we all shall all be raised, be raised, no one will be stuck banging on the lid.

As to why Nabokov rejected Freud - don't be so quick to believe everything the old man wrote about his motivations. I believe, and this is just between you and me, that Nabokov had sexual problems to hide. I think that they were the same as Shade's and I further believe that Pale Fire is in fact Nabokov's sexual confession. Further I can not go at this time.