Homage to Mme. Lecerf
In thinking over the novels we have read so far, I have to say that Madame Lecerf is emerging for me as probably my favorite and most outstanding supporting Nabokovian character. There are of course quite a number to consider, such as Silbermann right here in
Sebastian Knight who is gloriously unforgettable; Charlotte (Big Haze) in
Lolita; and, at a stretch, even Lolita herself, definitely at the head of any list.
But, first of all, why Lolita? Is she a
supporting character? She is at least a co-leading character with Humbert, and she is certainly the one who starts the fireworks when she invades the private space of Humbert's lap with her casual legs on the couch. And all of the novel revolves about her once it gets going. But the fine distinction I would make is that the novel is seen through Humbert's eyes (and therefore the reader's) at all times and Lolita's dominance is lost behind his lack of realization of it. She says "Let's make love," and Humbert believes he has been granted a great boon, as she encompasses him completely.
Charlotte, especially in Shelley Winters' version, is superb as a dominant woman, but there again she shines in a perspective seen from Humbert's eyes, either as potential boarder or as eventual boarder and predator.
Silbermann is simply fantastic and might stand at the head of any list of supporting characters, but for one thing. He is male and all of Nabokov's worlds that I have seen so far are male worlds (I think).
Mme. LeCerf stands out above even Silbermann because she is a dominant
female in V's male world. Madame LeCerf is Nabokov's foray into writing a woman who completely befuddles and takes over a man's thoughts and emotions, and who drives the action while she is on stage. And I would say that Nabokov does an extraordinary job in writing her character -- eventually the center point of the whole mystery. The scenes that involve her tingle with her personality, while V is reduced almost to phumphering ineffectiveness. [square brackets are mine in what follows, paraphrasing pp148-149 (Vintage)
If I liked I could talk to Mme Graun's friend...[she would deign to permit me]
She was a small slight pale faced young woman with smooth black hair...her black dress was high at the neck and she used a long black cigarette holder...[watch out for those women with cigarette holders]
"So you would like to see my friend" [said the spider to the fly]
I introduced myself. "Yes I saw your card." [stop wasting my time, I can read]
"You may be quite frank with me. I rather like delicate errands." [Just place your entire future in my hands]
"My brother had a friend; I am trying to find her."
"Quelle drole histoire". [How utterly comical you are] "And what do you want her to tell you [little man?]"
"Do you mean that Mme Graun is the person in question?"
"Very possibly" [Let me think how I'm going to play this.] "Though I don't think I ever heard her mentioning that particular name. What did you say it was?" [Suddenly I am vague and your question is small potatoes. Beg a little!]
"Sebastian Knight"
"No" [Can't hurt] "But still it's quite possible" [string him along a bit further]
"Why must you write a book about him [Let's see what we are really dealing with here].
"By all means burn love letters" [phew!] "The past makes noble fuel. Would you like some tea?" [that narrow escape is past!]
"No. What I would like to know is when I can see Mme. Graun?"
"Soon." [Don't get pushy, bub. I'm in charge here!] "She is not in Paris at the moment." [And you may never see her if you are not nice].
And so it goes. But she comes across to me as one wily tough cookie who makes the scenes work.
So I think she's the greatest!
Peder
