Since its first publication in 1948, one of Vladimir Nabokov's shortest short stories, "Signs and Symbols," has generated perhaps more interpretations and critical appraisal than any other that he wrote. It has been called "one of the greatest short stories ever written" and "a triumph of economy and force, minute realism and shimmering mystery" (Brian Boyd, Vladimir Nabokov: The American Years). Anatomy of a Short Story contains: . the full text of "Signs and Symbols," line numbered and referenced throughout . correspondence about the story, most of it never before published, between Nabokov and the editor of The New Yorker, where the story was first published. 33 essays of literary criticism, bringing together classic essays and new interpretations. a round-table discussion in which a screenwriter, a theater scholar, a mathematician, a psychiatrist, and a literary scholar bring their perspectives to bear on "Signs and Symbols" Anatomy of a Short Story illuminates the ways in which we interpret fiction, and the short story in particular.

ContributorsAcknowledgmentsINTRODUCTION Breaking the Code: Nabokov and the Art of Short FictionYuri LevingA PRIMARY TEXT:Heart"Signs and Symbols"Vladimir NabokovFORUM: High pressurePsychosis, Performance, Schizophrenia, LiteratureHal Ackerman, Murray Biggs, John Crossley, Wayne Goodman, Yuri Leving, and Frederick White CRITICISMPART ONE: Bone StructureFrameworks Vladimir Nabokov's Correspondence with The New Yorker regarding "Signs and Symbols," 1946-1948Olga VoroninaLost in Revision: The Editing of "Signs and Symbols" for The New YorkerJohn MorrisConsulting the OracleMichael WoodPART TWO: Vascular SystemSignsArbitrary Signs and SymbolsAlexander N. DrescherThe Patterns of DoomBrian QuinnWays of Knowing in "Signs and Symbols"Terry J. MartinA Funny Thing about "Signs and Symbols"John B. LaneNamesYuri LevingPART THREE: Muscles of the StoryObjectsFive Known JarsCarol M. DoleFive Missing JarsGennady BarabtarloThe Last JarJoanna TrzeciakTrees and BirdsLarry R. AndrewsPhotographsMaria-Ruxanda BontilaCardsPekka TammiTelephoneAndrés Romero JódarPART FOUR: Nervous systemThe Importance of Reader ResponsePaul J. RosenzweigThe Jewish QuestYuri LevingSymbolsSigns of Reference, Symbols of DesignGeoffrey GreenSacred Dangers: Nabokov's Distorted ReflectionDavid FieldNumbersThe Mysticism of CircleMary TookeyThe Semiotics of ZeroMeghan Vicks PART FIVE: DissectionWeb of Contexts"Signs and Symbols" in and out of ContextsLeona Toker"Breaking the News" and "Signs and Symbols": SilentologyJoanna TrzeciakPnin and "Signs and Symbols": Narrative EntrapmentDavid H. RichterPnin and "Signs and Symbols": Narrative StrategiesWilliam CarrollPale Fire and "Signs and Symbols"Vladimir Mylnikov PART SIX: DNA TestingCracking the CodeThe Signs and Symbols in Nabokov's "Signs and Symbols"Alexander DolininThe Castling Problem in "Signs and Symbols"Yuri LevingReading MadlyIrving MalinDeciphering "Signs and Symbols"Larry R. AndrewsDecoding "Signs and Symbols"John V. HagopianThe Referential Mania: An Attempt of the Deconstructivist ReadingÁlvaro Garrido MorenoA Referential Reading of Nabokov's "Signs and Symbols"Charles W. MignonAn AfterwordJohn BanvilleAlternative Tables of ContentsChronological KeyAlphabetical KeyCreditsBibliographyIndex