Forgetfulness Quote by Stacy Schiff
““Nabokov complained he was afflicted with total recall, an affliction of which he could be miraculously cured by the presence of a biographer.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Biography of Vladimir Nabokov, 2010
Nabokov claimed total memory, but a biographer could disrupt that by providing an external perspective.
In simple terms: Total recall can be altered by another’s narrative.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how others’ viewpoints can change your self‑perception.
Themes
memory
identity
authorial control
biography
Mood
analytical
curious
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- writing memoirs
- psychological research
- personal storytelling
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
subjectivity
narrative framing
self‑knowledge
Questions to Reflect On
- How does another’s story about you change your self‑view?
- Can memory truly be “total”?
A Different Perspective
Biographers may impose their own bias, reshaping the subject’s image.
![“The three-breasted woman was very much at the top of my list in [original 'Total recall']. Like I said, I was fourteen! I remember Arnold [Schwarzenegger] pulling that big tracker out of his nose and freaking out about that. I remember going through the immigration booth where their face splits…” quote by Len Wiseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a6f/len-wiseman-18620_bigs_the-three-breasted-woman-was-very-much-a_470975.jpg)
![“Véra assumed her married name almost as a stage name; rarely has matrimony so much represented a profession. It was one of the ironies of the life that – born at a time and place where women could and did lay claim to all kinds of ambitions – she should elevate the role of wife to a high art. […]…” quote by Stacy Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/30f/stacy-schiff-7881_art_v-ra-assumed-her-married-name-almost-as_231770.jpg)
