- 1. Speak, Memory is a richly evocative memoir by Vladimir Nabokov that intricately weaves together the themes of memory, nostalgia, and the nature of art through the lens of the author’s own early life. Written in elegant prose, the book traverses Nabokov's childhood in Russia, his family's aristocratic background, and the impact of exile following the Russian Revolution. The narrative unfolds with vivid descriptions of his formative experiences, including his deep connection to nature, his passionate encounters with literature, and the poignant joys and sorrows of his past. Nabokov's exploration of his memories is both a celebration of beauty and a meditation on the ephemeral nature of time, as he skillfully blurs the boundaries between reality and recollection. This work not only serves as an intimate portrait of the author but also invites readers to reflect on their own memories and the ways in which they shape identity. Through its lyrical language and profound insights, Speak, Memory stands as a testament to the power of recollection and the art of storytelling.
In what year was the first edition of 'Speak, Memory' published?
A) 1962
B) 1947
C) 1951
D) 1936
- 2. What is the subtitle of the book?
A) A Memoir of a Lost World
B) Recollections of a Russian Childhood
C) An Autobiography Revisited
D) The Story of My Life
- 3. Nabokov's family belonged to which social class in pre-revolutionary Russia?
A) Peasantry
B) Aristocracy
C) Intelligentsia
D) Merchant class
- 4. Which European city does Nabokov describe as the setting for his family's life before the revolution?
A) Berlin
B) Paris
C) St. Petersburg
D) Moscow
- 5. What is the name of the Nabokov family's country estate?
A) Boldino
B) Vyra
C) Yasnaya Polyana
D) Mikhaylovskoye
- 6. Nabokov had a famous passion for collecting and studying what?
A) Paintings
B) Rare books
C) Butterflies
D) Stamps
- 7. What was the first language Nabokov learned to read and write?
A) German
B) French
C) English
D) Russian
- 8. Nabokov attended which famous university in England?
A) Heidelberg
B) Cambridge
C) Oxford
D) The Sorbonne
- 9. What subject did Nabokov initially study at university?
A) Zoology
B) History
C) Literature
D) Law
- 10. Who was Nabokov's wife, a central figure in the memoir?
A) Véra
B) Nina
C) Sonia
D) Olga
- 11. Nabokov describes his synesthesia, which causes him to perceive letters and numbers as having what?
A) Colors
B) Textures
C) Tastes
D) Sounds
- 12. The final chapter describes the Nabokov family's departure from Russia on a ship named what?
A) Nadezhda
B) Aurora
C) Potemkin
D) Olympia
- 13. In which country did Nabokov begin writing his autobiography?
A) France
B) Germany
C) Switzerland
D) The United States
- 14. Nabokov's father was a member of which pre-revolutionary Russian governing body?
A) The First Duma
B) The Tsar's Privy Council
C) The Bolshevik Central Committee
D) The Senate
- 15. What does Nabokov identify as the main antagonist of the memoir?
A) Time
B) Forgetfulness
C) The Bolsheviks
D) Exile
- 16. What is the original title of 'Speak, Memory'?
A) Pnin
B) Conclusive Evidence
C) Lolita
D) The Gift
- 17. What significant event forced the Nabokov family to leave Russia?
A) The fall of the Tsar
B) The Bolshevik Revolution
C) World War I
D) The Crimean War
- 18. What was Vladimir Nabokov's native language?
A) French
B) Russian
C) English
D) German
- 19. Nabokov describes his childhood as one of great...
A) Poverty and hardship
B) Ordinary middle-class comfort
C) Religious austerity
D) Privilege and luxury
- 20. What is a recurring theme regarding Nabokov's father in the memoir?
A) His successful business ventures
B) His liberal politics and tragic assassination
C) His lack of interest in literature
D) His strict disciplinary methods
- 21. Nabokov's prose in the memoir is highly noted for its...
A) Journalistic objectivity
B) Simplistic and direct style
C) Colloquial and informal tone
D) Precision and poetic quality
- 22. Which sense does Nabokov most associate with triggering vivid memories?
A) Touch
B) Sight
C) Smell
D) Hearing
- 23. What does Nabokov claim is the only instrument of time travel?
A) Dreams
B) Photography
C) Literature
D) Memory
- 24. In which European country did Nabokov live for an extended period after Russia?
A) England
B) Germany
C) France
D) Italy
- 25. Besides a writer, Nabokov was also a professional...
A) Musician
B) Physicist
C) Historian
D) Lepidopterist
- 26. A famous photograph discussed in the memoir shows Nabokov's father with another famous Russian author. Who?
A) Leo Tolstoy
B) Fyodor Dostoevsky
C) Ivan Turgenev
D) Anton Chekhov
- 27. Who is the author of 'Speak, Memory'?
A) Fyodor Dostoevsky
B) Leo Tolstoy
C) Vladimir Nabokov
D) Ivan Turgenev
- 28. Nabokov's memoir is dedicated to his wife. What is her name?
A) Sonia
B) Colette
C) Vera
D) Olga
- 29. What was the name of Nabokov's beloved governess?
A) Frau Stöhr
B) Mademoiselle
C) Madame Bovary
D) Nanny McPhee
- 30. The memoir ends with Nabokov and his family sailing to America from what country?
A) Germany
B) Russia
C) France
D) England
- 31. In what year was the final, definitive edition of 'Speak, Memory' published?
A) 1960
B) 1970
C) 1951
D) 1966
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