In "The Luzhin Defense" by Vladimir Nabokov, the character Luzhin experiences a poignant moment of introspection. For the first time, he reflects on the loss of his childhood and the places that were once familiar to him. This self-questioning leads him to confront the absence of the memories and beloved locations that shaped his early life.

This moment not only highlights Luzhin's sense of nostalgia but also signals a deeper existential crisis. He grapples with the reality of time's passage and the fleeting nature of joy and innocence, symbolized by the disappearing veranda and paths. This evokes a sense of melancholy as he realizes the profound changes in his life and the elusiveness of his past.