Why Is Vladimir Nabokov Unreliable Narrator?

“The Vane Sisters” by Vladimir Nabokov is an incredibly intriguing short story. However it is unlike most in many ways, one in particular. Nabokov uses unreliability in this piece by creating a secret understanding of the story between the reader and author, using intricate details to draw attention elsewhere in the short story and connecting life experiences to his writings that explain why he chooses to appeal to be so unreliable.

Vladimir Nabokov was born in was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, on April 23, 1899. He was one of 5 children bore to Vladimir Dmitrievich Nabokov and Helene Rukavishnikov Nabokov. Growing up he had two passions, butterflies and writing poetry. He started writing when he was only 13 years old. His first book was

Well as previously stated he always loved puzzles, games and riddles. This is a very valid reason as to why he chose to include two secret messages in his short story. One of which is the suicide letter from Sybil and the other is stated early on in the story that later translates at the end. Both are so subtle that you would never pick up on it, especially the one at the end of the story. As you read the story you cannot help but notice the undeniable amount of detail that the reader picks up on. Some examples are “I was sure the shadows of the falling drops should be visible, but they were not.” (Nabokov 798) Another is “the lean ghost, the elongated umbra cast by a parking meter upon some damp snow.” (Nabokov 798) When he was talking about a shadow he was referring to the sisters who were no longer there. That is how he was connecting with them as if they were still there. This affects the mood in a huge way by providing this imagery. This could also raise the question of his unreliability because how do we know if he is actually seeing their shadow? The reader can never know therefore they must form their own opinion of this scene. Another would be “Through peacocked lashes I saw the dazzling diamond reflection of the low sun on a round back of an automobile.” (Nabokov 798) This is beautiful imagery in my opinion. It takes a great writer to put such words together to create such a

He finally understands the translation within it but it was too late. It read, Death was not better than D minus, but definitely better than Life minus D. The reader almost gets the sense that the narrator was fooled. This is the essence that Nabokov was trying to entail. Even later on when the final message is revealed at the end of the story the truth comes out that he was tricking the reader and the narrator the whole time. This again goes back to his love for tricks, games and puzzles and as one can see that is how he chose to engage his readers. Some people may argue that “The Vane Sisters” shines a negative light on women as a whole. I would second this as in certain areas of the story he describes women in a very vulgar and demeaning way. He pays attention to small details and flaws within their body. Even after having a relationship with Cynthia he still described her in a rude manor when he went to visit her. He paid attention only to her flaws in such detail that it actually makes him seem repulsive. For example he says, “the coarse texture of her epidermis looked almost masculine….you could see the pores of her thirty- two- year- old face gaping at you like something in an aquarium…her so-called good figure.” (Nabokov 801) The physical appearance described by the narrator goes on and stays vulgar. One could say