The quote reflects a profound philosophical insight presented by the character's course, "The Evolution of Sense." This course, despite having a small enrollment of just twelve students, aspires to explore the complexities of meaning and absurdity. The phrase that opens and closes the course indicates that understanding the evolution of sense also involves recognizing the evolution of nonsense, highlighting the intertwined nature of clarity and confusion in human perception.
Through this course, Nabokov illustrates the idea that making sense of the world is not straightforward. The relationship between sense and nonsense suggests that what we often consider rational may simultaneously contain elements that are absurd or illogical. This duality can provoke deeper reflections and may resonate with readers long after they encounter it, as the interplay between sense and nonsense invites ongoing exploration and interpretation.