Abstract
The influence of 1001 Nights on Vladimir Nabokov's Ada is explored. Although the narrator's evocation of the erotic and magical ambiance of the Nights reveals his intention to display himself as the Shahrazad of his memoir, his promiscuous behavior and violent conduct recall his congruity with Shahriyar. Moreover, Van and Ada's narcissistic love makes them morally blind to their half-sister, Lucette, who is associated by Nabokov with Dunyazade. This association leads to significant motifs in the novel, displays the unreliability of the narrator, and highlights Nabokov's moral art.
Recommended Citation
Shafiee-Sabet, Seyed Gholamreza and Pourgiv, Farideh. "Nabokov's Ada and The 1001 Nights." Marvels & Tales 26.1 (2012). Web. <https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/marvels/vol26/iss1/3>.
