Pale Fire

by

Vladimir Nabokov

Dr. Nattochdag Character Analysis

Dr. Nattochdag is the head of Kinbote’s department at Wordsmith College. While the novel never reveals the specific department to which Kinbote belongs (Kinbote seems to believe that he’s a Zemblan professor), it’s likely that Nattochdag teaches a Slavic language. Kinbote is quite fond of Dr. Nattochdag and claims that the man is very kind.
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Dr. Nattochdag Character Timeline in Pale Fire

The timeline below shows where the character Dr. Nattochdag appears in Pale Fire. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Foreword
Identity, Delusion, and Loneliness Theme Icon
Loss and Longing Theme Icon
...leaving the room, the narrator pulled Emerald’s bowtie loose. One day, the narrator’s department head, Dr. Nattochdag , called him in and asked him to be “more careful” because a boy complained.... (full context)
Commentary: Lines 469-629
Identity, Delusion, and Loneliness Theme Icon
Loss and Longing Theme Icon
...and he was one of the men in Shade’s orbit, including the “distinguished Zemblan scholar” Professor Nattochdag .   (full context)