Nabokov Essay

​Questions to answer in your Journal while reading:
 
The Nabokov piece is a seminal one in our study of reading and writing. You will come back to it again and again over the course of the year. Read it first to get an overall impression of its argument; then, read it with the following questions in mind. Your extensive Journal notes should house the answers to these questions:
 
1. Where does the introduction end? How would you describe the way Nabokov introduces the essay?
 
2. What is the thesis? Where is it? Is it explicit or implicit?
 
3. What is the author’s tone? Where and how does it change?
 
4. What passages capture your attention, arouse a reaction? These can be ideas or elements of language.
 
5. What, according to Nabokov, is a good reader. A good writer?
 
6. How does Nabokov organize his piece? Can you connect the different parts?
 
7. How would you characterize the conclusion?
 
8. What is Nabokov's point about the Boy Who Cried Wolf?
 
9. What authority does Nabokov have as a writer?
 
10. What is your reaction to the essay? Is it an emotional one or a logical one?