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?
Quote #4
"Zdrastvuyte kak pozhivaete horosho spasibo" Entwistle rattled off in excellent imitation of Russian speech—and indeed he rather resembled a genial Tsarist colonel in mufti. "One night in Paris," he went on, his eyes twinkling, "at the Ougolok cabaret, this demonstration convinced a group of Russian revelers that I was a compatriot of theirs—posing as an American, don't you know." "In two-three years," said Pnin, missing one bus but boarding the next, "I will also be taken for an American," and everybody roared except Professor Blorenge. (2.2.18)
Ah, prejudice. The basis of all our favorite jokes. (Can you feel the sarcasm? If not, we're going to feel some prejudice against you.) Think about why the people around Pnin have such different reactions to this joke, and to Pnin's attempt at one? It's because some people like Entwistle basically believe they can't be foreign no matter what country they go to. Even if they don't speak the language at all. On the other hand someone like Pnin who can speak the language, albeit with some difficulty, can never get the sacred title of being American.
Quote #5
Ten days passed—and suddenly he began to enjoy the new gadget. It was a revelation, it was a sunrise, it was a firm mouthful of efficient, alabastrine, humane America. At night he kept his treasure in a special glass of special fluid where it smiled to itself, pink and pearly. (2.4.2)
In case you weren't aware, lots of people think Americans are obsessed with their teeth. So it makes sense that Pnin sees his new false teeth as a symbol of America. They are perfect, clean, and white.
Quote #6
He and Serafima, his large, cheerful, Moscow-born wife, who wore a Tibetan charm on a long silver chain that hung down to her ample, soft belly, would throw Russki parties every now and then, with Russki hors d'oeuvres and guitar music and more or less phony folk songs—occasions at which shy graduate students would be taught vodka-drinking rites and other stale Russianisms… (3.5.3)
Is it us, or does this strike you as some kind of idealized American version of Russia? Why do you think this couple plays into this false idea of their homeland? What's in it for them?
Quote #7
Wearing rubber gloves so as to avoid being stung by the amerikanski electricity in the metal of the shelving, Pnin would go to those books and gloat over them: [...] (3.6.24)
Once again, America is associated with something that is bothersome to Pnin. We are sure that there is static electricity in Russia, but he acts as if it's a problem entirely confined to the shores of the United States.
Quote #8
"No, no," said Pnin, "I do not wish an egg or, for example, a torpedo. I want a simple football ball. Round." (4.6.2)
All we need now is a scene of Pnin rejecting baseball and saying that he's allergic to apple pie, and he will have given a thumbs down to all the stereotypical symbols of America. Why do you think Nabokov constantly reinforces this idea that Pnin is most definitely, without a doubt, absolutely not American?
Quote #9
It is—what do you want to eat? Veal cutlet? O.K., I will also eat veal cutlet—it is naturally a concession to America, my new country, wonderful America which sometimes surprises me but always provokes respect. In the beginning I was greatly embarrassed—" In the beginning Pnin was greatly embarrassed by the ease with which first names were bandied about in America: after a single party, with an iceberg in a drop of whisky to start and with a lot of whisky in a little tap water to finish, you were supposed to call a gray-templed stranger "Jim," while he called you "Tim" for ever and ever. (4.8.10)
Why do you think Pnin was so quick to adopt the new American fashion, but he is still very traditional about being called by his first name? What does it mean that he allows Victor to call him by his first name? Would Victor rather call him "Daddy"?
Quote #10
"Avtomobil', kostiyum—nu pryamo amerikanets (a veritable American), pryamo Ayzenhauer!" said Varvara, and introduced Pnin to Roza Abramovna Shpolyanski. (5.3.3)
This quote is from the moment that Pnin arrives at Cook's Castle with his car. There he is surrounded by other Russian émigrés, so it is probably the only time he will ever hear himself called a veritable American. Pnin might be one of the most American amongst this group, but once he gets out of that environment no one would call him an "Ayzenhauer." (Get it? Eisenhower!)