Speak, Memory Family Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Section.Paragraph)

Quote #1

We discovered then that some of her letters had the same tint as mine and that, besides, she was optically affected by musical notes. (2.1.4)

By pointing out that both he and his mother experience synesthesia, we automatically feel like their relationship is deeper and more spiritual than that of the average mother-son pair.

Quote #2

One day, after a long illness, as I lay in bed still very weak, I found myself basking in an unusual euphoria of lightness and repose. I knew my mother had gone to buy me the daily present that made those convalescences so delightful. (2.2.2)

During his times sick in bed, Vladimir (or, Nabokov) claims that he correctly imagines what his mother is going to bring him. Does this feel like hyperbole? If so, what's the point of it? Bonus question: just because something is called autobiography, should we assume it's true? Does it matter?

Quote #3

The number and diversity of contacts that my ancestors had with the world of letters are truly remarkable. (3.1.5)

There's some flavor of a predestination argument here: Vladimir is one of many writers and thinkers. His passions are genetic. He believes, perhaps, in nature before nurture.