The quote emphasizes that characters in literature are eternally bound to their narratives, never escaping their defined destinies. For instance, King Lear will never enjoy a carefree moment with his daughters, and Emma cannot find solace simply through a sympathetic gesture from her father. Their struggles and ultimate fates are inextricably linked to the stories that depict them, highlighting the permanence of their fictional identities.

Nabokov illustrates the idea that despite character development or thematic shifts, readers will always associate them with their pivotal experiences and tragedies. This enduring perception reassures that literature retains its profound emotional resonance, as characters remain fixed representations of their tales. The complexity of these characters often deepens our understanding, even as we acknowledge their inescapable paths within the narratives they inhabit.