embrace it. Mizener claims that Pnin “carries on with easy confidence of success and a firm assurance of his own common sense” instead of wallowing in self-pity over his social isolation. In relation to his criticism towards the American society, Mizener indicates that Pnin's “innocent self-confidence” illustrates the story's “remarkable observation of American life”. As the narrator of the mentions, "It was the world that was absent-minded and it was Pnin whose business it was to set it straight." References Further reading 1957 American novels Novels by Vladimir Nabokov Campus novels Heinemann (publisher) books Novels about teachers Fiction with unreliable narrators Novels set in the United States Novels set in the 20th century