Listen: I am ideally happy. My happiness is a kind of challenge. As I wander along the streets and the squares and the paths by the canal, absently sensing the lips of dampness through my worn soles, I carry proudly my ineffable happiness. The centuries will roll by, and schoolboys will yawn over the history of our upheavals; everything will pass, but my happiness , dear, my happiness will remain,in the moist reflection of a street lamp, in the cautious bend of stone steps that descend into the canal's black waters, in the smiles of a dancing couple, in everything with which God so generously surrounds human loneliness.
In this passage, the author conveys a deep sense of happiness intertwined with the ordinary moments of life. As he strolls through familiar streets and feels the dampness beneath his feet, he reflects on how his joy is both a personal challenge and a profound connection to his surroundings. This happiness is portrayed as enduring, capable of transcending time and the fleeting nature of historical events.
Nabokov emphasizes the beauty of everyday experiences, capturing their significance in the face of human solitude. He illustrates how happiness persists in small details—a street lamp's glow, the curve of stone steps, and the joy of a couple dancing. These elements highlight the richness of life and underscore that despite the passage of time, true happiness remains a lasting presence amid life's transience.
