Critiquing The Egocentric Self

Vladimir Nabokov is one of the most eminent American writers of the twentieth century.His novels are embedded with a wide range of themes.As a liberal writer,he quested for the true meaning of human existence.This thesis applies Mikhail Bakhtin’s theory of dialogism,a theory emphasizing the dialogic nature of human thought and stressing the communication between self and other,to investigate Nabokov’s three early Russian novels,namely,The Eye(1930),Despair(1934)and Invitation to a Beheading(1936).Nabokov was keen on illustrating the egocentric people in those novels and the thesis examines how Nabokov speculates on the dialogic nature of human identity and existence.The thesis is divided into five chapters.Chapter One presents an introduction to Vladimir Nabokov the writer and his works.It also offers an overview of Vladimir Nabokov studies,with particular focus on the critical reception of the three early novels,namely The Eye,Despair,Invitation to a Beheading.After a brief outline of M.M.Bakhtin’s theory of dialogism,it clarifies the purpose of the study and the structure of this thesis.Chapter Two makes an analysis of the self-obsessed protagonist in The Eye,proposing that the passive watchfulness would inevitably lead to a reduced knowledge of the self.Chapter Three examines Hermann’s narcissistic delusion and his blindness to the uniqueness of the other in Despair.Hermann is trapped in a world of his own and his refusal to see the importance of the other ultimately holds him up to ridicule.Chapter Four explores how Cincinnatus struggles in his solitary confinement in Invitation to a Beheading.Cincinnatus’ s insistence on the self’s voice simply wouldn’t allow him to start a communication with the other.Chapter Five concludes that the problem of selfhood and the nature of human existence are major concerns to Nabokov.By framing those self-centered characters,Nabokov offers a sharp critique of the egocentric people and calls for a dialogic understanding of human existence.