Wide awake Quote by Vladimir Nabokov
““If I dwell at some length on the tremors and gropings of that distant night, it is because I insist upon proving that I am not, and never was, and never could have been, a brutal scoundrel. The gentle and dreamy regions through which I crept were the patrimonies of poets-not crime's prowling ground. Had I reached my goal, my ecstasy would have been all softness, a case of internal combustion of which she would hardly have felt the heat, even if she were wide awake. But I still hoped she might gradually be engulfed in a completeness of stupor that would allow me to taste more than a glimmer of her.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Gift by Vladimir Nabokov, 1938
The narrator defends himself against accusations of cruelty, describing a delicate, poetic inner world contrasted with violent reality.
In simple terms: He claims a gentle, artistic nature despite harsh surroundings.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the conflict between inner ideals and external judgments.
Themes
identity
art vs. morality
self‑justification
poetry
conflict
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- psychological analysis
- literary criticism
Key Concepts
existentialism
self‑perception
moral relativism
Practical Applications
- personal essays
- artistic expression
- ethical debates
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you think artistic intent can excuse harmful actions?
- How does one balance personal morality with societal expectations?
A Different Perspective
The claim of pure artistic intent may ignore real harm caused.
![“...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)
