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• 1 2020-09-21T14:08:13-04:00 Invitation to a Beheading 92-105 28 Vladimir Nabokov plain 2020-12-12T15:30:15-05:00

  Sara Laine
  
  pg. 92 — shimmering refraction
  Merriam-Webster defines refraction as "the action of distorting an image by viewing through a medium." Thus, the "shimmering refraction" is Cincinnatus' characterization of those who instill fear in him in his real life, but in the dream world he is describing they are a mere outline of themselves, barely there.

  pg. 92 — "but how I fear awakening!"
  Cincinnatus discusses his perception of the semi-asleep waking world and the semi-real dream world. In this context, Cincinnatus expresses his anxieties about his impending execution, which he calls "awakening."

  pg. 92 — Pushkin’s lyrical duelist
  References the character of Vladimir Lensky from Alexander Pushkin's Eugene Onegin. After the cold, haughty titular character, Onegin, makes a move on Lensky's fiance Olga, the fiery Lensky challenges him to a duel that ends up costing Onegin his life.
  
  pg. 93 — ‘"here"
  This plane of existence, where those who are deemed odd to society, like Cincinnatus, are judged and punished.

  pg. 94 — there
  The dream world that Cincinnatus idealizes and feels he belongs, a freer world where he is understood. This is where he alludes he will end up after his death.

  pg. 96 — ‘pedagoguette’
  Presumably play on the original word "pedagogue," a term for a teacher of children, enforcer of social or educational norms. Here, Cincinnatus applies it to a young female classmate, hence the addition of the "ette" ending.

  pg. 99 — Diomedon
  The son of Marthe and an unknown father, half-brother to Pauline and described as being disabled. Also the name of a skilled Athenian military leader during the Peloponnesian War (431-405 BC), who was executed with his troops.

  pg. 99 — Pauline
  The daughter of Marthe and an unknown father, half-sister to Diomedon and described as large and almost blind. It is a first name commonly given to girls meaning 'small' in French, and used also as a reference to the works of the Apostle Paul (4 BC- 64? AD), who is known for his missionary work especially following the death of Jesus Christ (33 AD) and his own (suspected) beheading by the Roman emperor Nero.  

  pg. 102 — plus-fours
  A style of pants popularized after the first World War, named for the additional four inches added to the hem of short pants at that time. 

  pg. 102 — black cat
  Considered a sign of bad luck in many cultures worldwide, Diomedon kills the black cat during the visit to Cincinnatus' cell. 

  pg. 103 — “Mali é trano t’amesti”
  Anagram of 'smert' mila eto taina" or "death is sweet, this is a secret."