All at once we were madly, clumsily, shamelessly, agonizingly in love with each other; hopelessly, I should add, because that frenzy of mutual possession might have been assuaged only by our actually imbibing and assimilating every particle of each other's soul and flesh; but there we were, unable even to mate as slum children would have so easily found an opportunity to do so.
The quote expresses the overwhelming and chaotic nature of love between the characters, emphasizing a deep emotional and physical desire for one another. Their relationship is described as frantic and consuming, highlighting the intensity of their feelings, which seem both joyous and tormented. Nabokov captures the paradox of wanting to fully understand and unite with another person while facing significant obstacles that prevent their deeper connection.
Despite the depth of their affection, the inability to express this love fully, even in the most basic physical sense, adds a layer of tragedy to their situation. The comparison to slum children who find ways to connect underscores the struggle of the main characters, revealing how love can become complicated by societal circumstances and personal constraints, leaving them both longing and frustrated.
