What is the author's tone in Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov?

There is a poetic tone to this work. In poetry, each individual word is chosen for meaning, rhythm, and sound. However, the reader will interpret the chosen words according to his or her knowledge and experience. This dynamic is demonstrated in Nabokov's book. In one notable example, Shade uses the word "lemniscate" to describe the tracks left by bicycle tires in the sand, meaning a figure eight shape. Kinbote does not know the word and can't understand the definition in his dictionary. He is left with the impression that the word is meaningless.