Poprishchin and Kinbote

One of the most interesting things that I have found reading Nabokov is seeing all of the different things that influenced his work, whether they be from history or literature or even his own life. In looking at Nabokov and finding out more about him and his work I have continuously come across references to Nikolai Gogol. Gogol is even mentioned in pale fire , as a “marvelous humorist such as Gogol.” Pg. 155 and in reading information on Pale fire Gogols “Diary of a Madman” was mentioned, the title alone would suggest it is quite similar to Pale Fire. So I checked out a copy from the library and skimmed through it and found that the title is not the only thing that the two works have in common. Poprishchin, the main character becomes completely insane in the story and convinces himself that he is the heir to the recently vacated throne of Spain. It would seem that Poprishchin and Kinbote would have a lot of notes to share if the two characters were ever to meet, as they both are mad and have assumed the identities of missing kings. Since Nabokov wrote a biography of Gogol and his works it would seem that Poprishchin is a likely candidate for the inspiration of Kinbote.