Invitation to a Beheading 76-91
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Vladimir Nabokov
plain
2020-12-12T15:27:41-05:00
Tyler Hicks
pg. 77 — Thespians
A person who has devoted their life and livelihood to the theatre, or more broadly to drama. This originates from the ancient Greek poet, Thespis of Icaria, who is widely known as the first person to ever act on a stage as another character, thus forming the idea of theatre as a whole.
pg. 80 — lyrate
Having the shape of a lyre, or a u-shaped string instrument.
pg. 81 — M’sieur Pierre
M'sieur Pierre is the only other prisoner within Cincinnatus' world. He is extremely charismatic and charming, leading him to become well-liked by the guards and officials within the prison. Cincinnatus and M'sieur Pierre have a forced friendship by the hands of Pierre himself, who is, close to the end of the novel, revealed to be none other than Cincinnatus’ executioner.
pg. 85 — “N’y faites pas attention”
French phrase meaning “Pay no attention." Said by the director, in regards to Pierre. He is presumably making a joke of Cincinnatus, once again, at the price of Cincinnatus.
pg. 85 — causerie
A non-formal piece of writing, particularly in the editorial style.
pg. 88 — “from brevier into pica”
A statement coined by the author, Vladimir Nabokov, describing an approach from small to big. A brevier is a size point of about 8 mm, whereas a pica is a point of about 12 mm (considerably larger than the brevier).
