The quote from Nabokov's "Mary" captures the essence of nostalgia as a yearning for the past, but with a twist. It suggests that the speaker is not just reminiscing about familiar places but is instead longing for new and unfamiliar experiences. This feeling intensifies during the spring, a time often associated with renewal and exploration, highlighting a desire for adventure and the unknown.
This longing for "another strange land" implies that the comforts of the past are no longer sufficient. The mention of spring signifies a time when nature awakens, symbolizing hope and new beginnings. It evokes the idea that as one reflects on their experiences, there is an inherent desire to seek out novel adventures, hinting at the restlessness that can accompany memories of places left behind.