An analysis of the character of Humbert Humbert from Vladimir Nabokov's "Lolita".
Written in 2004; 3,431 words; 10 sources; MLA; $ 97.95
Paper Summary:
This paper examines the running theme of Humbert's sexuality and lust in Nabokov's "Lolita". It looks at how, for Humbert, love can only be seen in the context of his powerful desire to sexually possess the object of his attention and how, thus, he is unable to express any love for the teenage Lolita, filial or romantic, without turning her into an object of his lust. It analyzes how Humbert treats the other women in his life, from Annabel Leigh, Valeria, and Charlotte Haze to the insane Rita. It also discusses how, for Humbert, the level of sexual attraction determines whether or not a woman would be treated with love. It then contrasts Humbert's relations with these other women with his defining relationship with the nymphet, Lolita. It evaluates arguments that Humbert Humbert's attentions were akin to pedophilia or rape or that his lust was brought on by its forbidden nature versus other theories that state how Humbert's sexual desire is also an expression of his love for the adolescent Lolita. It argues that Humbert's willingness to commit murder on her behalf is proof that he not only lusted, but also loved the nymphet, Lolita.
From the Paper:
"Instead of a simple psychological motivation, however, critic Daniel Thomieres observes that a careful reader could see how Humbert can easily interpret these events as he wishes, to make himself sympathetic before launching into the details of his adult relationship with Lolita. As proof, Thomieres rightly points out that Humbert could not even recall Annabel's physical traits. Humbert has lost her photograph and admits that the way he sees Annabel in his mind is also "the way I see Lolita" (11). Through the first person narration, Thomieres also discerns that Humbert does not let Annabel speak for herself. In a sense, Annabel provides "(her) bod(y) and den(ies) her mind so as to incarnate that fantasy for Humbert Humbert" (Thomieres 168). Humbert states that she wanted him as much as he desired her, but nowhere in the account does he give Annabel a voice."
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