American business Quote by Vladimir Nabokov
“And he absolutely had to find her at once to tell her that he adored her, but the large audience before him separated him from the door, and the notes reaching him through a succession of hands said that she was not available; that she was inaugurating a fire; that she had married an american businessman; that she had become a character in a novel; that she was dead.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Invitation to a Beheading, Vladimir Nabokov, 1938
A desperate attempt to reach a lover is thwarted by obstacles and rumors, ending in tragedy.
In simple terms: He cannot reach her; obstacles and rumors stop him.
Key Takeaway
Recognize that external barriers can derail personal quests.
Themes
love
obstacle
miscommunication
tragedy
Mood
frustrated
melancholic
Type
narrative
tragic
When to use this quote
- courtship
- conflict
- secrecy
- media rumors
- personal loss
Key Concepts
fate
unrequited love
rumor
social pressure
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you cope when external forces block your intentions?
- What can you control in such situations?
A Different Perspective
Even if you act quickly, unforeseen circumstances may still prevent success.
![“...under no circumstances would he [Humbert Humbert] have interfered with the innocence of a child, if there was the least risk of a row.” quote by Vladimir Nabokov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0f0/vladimir-nabokov-198_children_under-no-circumstances-would-he-humbert_16228.jpg)
