In this reflection on beauty, Nabokov highlights how experiences of beauty, from nature to human expressions and art, prompt introspection. We find ourselves looking back at our own histories, evaluating our lives and identities in light of the stunning, often unreachable beauty we encounter.
This juxtaposition serves as a reminder of our own imperfections and limitations. Through moments of appreciation for beauty, we become acutely aware of the distance between our reality and the ideal, leading to a deeper understanding of ourselves and our aspirations.