I began in my chosen paradise: A paradise whose heavens had the color of the infernal flames, but with a whole paradise
In Vladimir Nabokov's "Lolita," the narrator describes his unsettling yet entrancing experience in a place he refers to as his "chosen paradise." This paradise is characterized by a juxtaposition of beauty and despair, where the skies are reminiscent of hellfire. The vivid imagery captures the complexity of his emotions, reflecting both allure and torment within this environment.
The quote encapsulates the duality of desire and suffering present in the narrative. It reveals how the protagonist finds himself in a space that is as enticing as it is dangerous, highlighting the themes of obsession and moral conflict that permeate the novel. Nabokov's language emphasizes the tension between the seductive and the devastating, driving home the contrast that defines the protagonist's experiences.
