Nobody strolled and laughed on the sidewalks as relaxing burghers would in sweet, mellow, rotting Europe.
In Nabokov's "Lolita," the contrast between American and European life is starkly illustrated. The author reflects on the absence of leisurely walks and carefree laughter in America, depicting a scene where the simple joys of strolling are almost non-existent. This imagery evokes a sense of nostalgia for a more relaxed European lifestyle.
The phrase highlights the emotional distance and the underlying sadness in the American landscape, where people seem less engaged with their surroundings. Unlike the 'sweet, mellow, rotting Europe,' the atmosphere is devoid of warmth and community, emphasizing a cultural disconnection within American life.