Possible Paper Topics

For the short-paper I have two ideas in mind. Each option presents an interesting possibility for discovery and exegesis of Nabokov's work.

Option #1: In "Lolita" Nabokov uses a plethora of literary allusions, many of which are to fairy tales and children's texts. More specifically he makes a couple of references to "Alice and Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll aka. Charles Dodgson. I would be interested in doing some research and composing a short study of how the "Alice in Wonderland" helped influence some aspects of Lolita.


Option #2: For this option I was considering doing a study of the "games" of Nabokov's works. Undeniably the avid chess player/author used chess strategies and moves to influence the ways in which he composed his novels. For this option I would also be interested in pursuing "Game Theory" which, I believe, is concerned with examining texts and such through the lens of games and how life can be understood as game-play. *Note: I am perhaps thinking that this study might be better for the longer term-paper for the end of the class.



I think that both of these options would provide an interesting focus for greater understanding Nabokov's works and making my own discoveries that would help illuminate further reflections on his texts.