One of Nabokov's tutors spies on him with a telescope, which angers his mother after she finds out as "she could not tolerate snooping," (220). His mother knows about their relationship and is supportive of her son's social development. Nabokov and Tamara develop a genuinely intimate relationship. He "cannot recall" the way he and Tamara parted, as their families went separate ways, but the two of them stay in touch sporadically.
Chapter 13 of Speak Memory starts as the Nabokov family travels to London from Greece. This is the time young Nabokov begins his higher education, as he and his brother have gotten into Oxford University on scholarship. At this point, Revolution is in swing and the family has been exiled. They have to sell their jewelry to support their children and their own lives in England. Nabokov finds it interesting to meet outsiders who comment on the Russian Revolution as if it were a positive thing. Nabokov...
He notes that Sergei could be gay, because he does not talk much and unlike Nabokov, does not talk about girls. His youngest brother is so young that the author claims it was difficult to form a meaningful bond with him.
In Chapter 14, Nabokov describes his experiences as an immigrant. Now poor by Western standards, it is shocking to experience the differences of social status. He finds it hard to fit in and make friends. However, there are many other Russian writers, artists, and scholars in exile in Western Europe during this time. Yet because they cannot publish in the motherland, their sphere of influence is limited as is their ability to make a living off of their arts.
Chapter 15 of Speak, Memory is the final chapter of the autobiography. This is when Nabokov's first child has been born, Dmitri. Nabokov learns a lot…
