In his work, Nabokov reflects on the fragility of human existence, likening life to a fleeting moment of light suspended between two eternal voids. He presents a powerful metaphor of a cradle rocking above an abyss, suggesting that one’s life is transient and precarious, merely a brief interruption in the darkness that predates and follows our existence.

The author notes an intriguing aspect of human perception, where people tend to approach the unknown of death with more apprehension than the certainty of birth. This duality highlights a common human inclination to fear what lies ahead, contrasting with a more tranquil acceptance of origins. Nabokov's insight invites reflection on how we confront the mysteries of life and death.