Enigmas and Variations in Relationships

As the novel progresses, it becomes clear that Paul's lovers are variations of one another. However, although Paul's lovers are all similar, Paul himself becomes increasingly complex throughout the novel, remaining an enigma. Thus, Aciman earns the novel's title, "Enigma Variations." Nanni is the first of Paul's lovers: Nanni is older than Paul, rejecting Paul's advances because of their age gap. This age-difference is varied upon in the last section of the novel, "Abingdon Square." Paul tries to begin a relationship with Heidi, but ultimately, Heidi rejects Paul's advances, in part because she is much younger than him. Thus, the first and last section of the novel mirror each other, although Paul plays the opposite part in each.

These variations also occur in the novel's middle sections. In "Spring Fever," Paul misses Gabi's advances toward him, believing that Gabi is sleeping with...