How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Section.Paragraph)
Quote #1
All this underwent a change in the heady atmosphere of the New World. Nowadays, at fifty-two, he was crazy about sun-bathing, wore sport shirts and slacks, and when crossing his legs would carefully, deliberately, brazenly display a tremendous stretch of bare shin. (1.2.1)
The paragraph before this one explained to us how Pnin's traditional European style was very reserved and old-fashioned. So this quote completely contrasts with that image of him. We guess his idea of America is a place where everyone wears sportswear and no one gives a hoot for decorative clocked socks.
Quote #2
On the contrary, he was perhaps too wary, too persistently on the lookout for diabolical pitfalls, too painfully on the alert lest his erratic surroundings (unpredictable America) inveigle him into some bit of preposterous oversight. It was the world that was absent-minded and it was Pnin whose business it was to set it straight. (1.8.1)
Why do you think Pnin sees America as erratic and unpredictable? He seems to feel that the whole country is some kind of elaborate trap for him. Is it?
Quote #3
Timofey Pnin settled down in the living room, crossed his legs po amerikanski (the American way), and entered into some unnecessary detail. (2.2.2)
There is that leg-crossing thing again. We like to imagine Pnin crossing his legs so widely that they basically take up two seats. Also, we imagine that his pants ride up so high that you can see his knees. What do you think is the Russian way of crossing your legs?