Summary
Lolita by Russian-American author Vladimir Nabokov, published in 1955, is one of the most famous and controversial novels of the 20th century. The novel centers on Humbert Humbert, a literature professor who becomes obsessively infatuated with Dolores Haze—a 12-year-old girl and the daughter of his landlady, Charlotte—whom he nicknames "Lolita." Humbert's story begins with his early sexual fixation on young girls, whom he refers to as "nymphets," stemming from a thwarted childhood romance.
The plot thickens as Humbert marries Charlotte merely to be near Lolita, and following Charlotte's accidental death, Humbert becomes Lolita's guardian, effectively kidnapping her. The story unfolds as a road narrative, detailing their cross-country travels, which serve both to satiate Humbert's desires and to isolate Lolita. Throughout their travels, Humbert manipulates and controls Lolita, with the relationship turning increasingly toxic and abusive. Critics have dissected the novel's exploration of themes such as obsession, manipulation, and the destructiveness of an adult's sexual fixation on a child.
Lolita has been adapted into films by directors Stanley Kubrick and Adrian Lyne. Its publication was met with controversy due to its provocative subject matter but has since been acclaimed for its literary prowess. The term "Lolita" has since entered the popular lexicon, reflecting the novel's profound impact on culture. The novel has spurred debates on censorship, artistic freedom, and the moral responsibilities of authors and readers alike.
Themes
Obsession with youth and beauty
Exploitation and abuse
Manipulation and control
The destructiveness of desire
Moral relativism
Contrast between European and American cultures
Illusory love and its consequences
The nature of art and obscenity
Identity
Setting
Lolita is set primarily in the mid-20th century, specifically in the years following World War II. This era is crucial not only to the novel's thematic concerns of obsession and cultural displacement but also to its setting across various locations within the United States. The story begins in 1947, a time when America was experiencing post-war prosperity and rapid cultural changes, which serves as a backdrop to the protagonist Humbert Humbert's experiences as a European émigré in New England, a region known for its historical significance and cultural heritage in the United States.
The geographical scope of Lolita is vast, covering much of the United States through Humbert Humbert's travels. Initially, Humbert moves to Ramsdale, a fictitious town in New England. This specific location is emblematic of the quintessential American suburban setting, offering a stark contrast to Humbert's European background and highlighting his status as an outsider. The small-town ambiance of Ramsdale, with its societal norms and cultural landscape, becomes the initial site of Humbert's obsession with Dolores Haze, also known as "Lolita."
As the story progresses, Humbert's obsession leads him and Lolita on a cross-country journey that takes them through various states and numerous motels, embodying the notion of the American road trip. This journey brings into focus the expanse and diversity of the American landscape, from rural areas to bustling cities, showcasing the "cheerful barbarism of postwar America," as described in the text. The specific places within this larger geographical area are not always named, but the journey encapsulates a wide-ranging exploration of the United States, reflecting aspects of American culture, geography, and societal change during the mid-20th century.
Characters
Humbert Humbert: A French literature professor and the narrator of the novel, obsessed with the 12-year-old Dolores Haze.
Dolores "Lolita" Haze: The young girl whom Humbert sexually abuses. She is also referred to as Lo, Lola, Dolly, and Lolita.
Charlotte Haze: Dolores’s mother and Humbert’s wife, who is unaware of Humbert's obsession with her daughter.
Clare Quilty: A famous playwright who also becomes obsessed with Dolores and eventually becomes her abductor.
John Ray Jr.: The fictitious editor of Humbert's memoir, who provides the foreword to the novel.
Annabel Leigh: Humbert's first love from his youth, whose early death deeply affects him.
Rita: A woman with whom Humbert has a relationship after Dolores leaves him.
Richard Schiller: The man Dolores eventually marries.
FAQs
What is the controversy surrounding Lolita?
Lolita has been a subject of controversy primarily due to its depiction of the sexual relationship between the adult protagonist, Humbert Humbert, and a 12-year-old girl, Dolores Haze, whom he nicknames Lolita. The novel addresses the controversial subject of hebephilia, which has led to debates about its moral implications, the depiction of child sexual abuse, and its classification as either a work of literary significance or inappropriate content.
Why is Lolita considered a significant work in literature?
Despite the controversies, Lolita is considered a significant work in literature due to Vladimir Nabokov's masterful use of language, intricate word play, and multi-layered narrative structure. The novel has been praised for its exploration of complex themes such as obsession, manipulation, and the destructiveness of desire. Its innovative literary techniques and the way it challenges readers to engage with uncomfortable subjects have also contributed to its stature in literary history.
How has Lolita influenced popular culture?
Lolita has had a profound influence on popular culture, with its themes and characters being referenced and explored in various media, including films, music, and literature. The term "Lolita" has entered common parlance to describe a young girl who is precociously seductive, although this misinterprets the character's portrayal in the novel. The book's impact is also seen in the creation of lolicon in Japanese culture, a genre involving the depiction of young girls in manga and anime.
What are the ethical concerns associated with teaching Lolita?
Teaching Lolita in academic settings raises ethical concerns due to its sensitive subject matter. Educators must navigate the challenges of discussing its themes of sexual exploitation and abuse with students in a manner that is both respectful and enlightening. There is also the consideration of how to address the psychological impact the novel may have on students, especially those who may have experienced similar abuse.
How does Lolita address the concept of the unreliable narrator?
Lolita is narrated by Humbert Humbert, who is widely considered to be an unreliable narrator. His narrative is characterized by his attempts to justify his abuse and obsession with Lolita, casting doubt on the veracity of his account. This narrative technique invites readers to critically examine Humbert's perspective, challenge his interpretation of events, and consider the broader implications of his manipulation and control over Lolita's story.
What challenges are involved in adapting Lolita into other media?
Adapting Lolita into films, plays, or other media involves significant challenges, primarily due to the need to balance the sensitive and controversial nature of the story with artistic representation. Adapters must grapple with how to portray Humbert's predatory behavior and Lolita's victimization without sensationalizing or trivializing the abuse.
Quotes
“It was love at first sight, at last sight, at ever and ever sight.”
“And the rest is rust and stardust.”
“He broke my heart. You merely broke my life.”
“Human life is but a series of footnotes to a vast obscure unfinished masterpiece.”
“I need you, the reader, to imagine us, for we don't really exist if you don't.”.
“I knew I had fallen in love with Lolita forever; but I also knew she would not be forever Lolita.”
“We loved each other with a premature love, marked by a fierceness that so often destroys adult lives.”
Quick facts
Vladimir Nabokov originally wrote Lolita in English, not his native Russian, and later translated it into Russian himself.
Lolita was initially rejected by four American publishers due to its controversial content before eventually being published by Olympia Press in Paris, which was known for publishing controversial and avant-garde titles.
Nabokov claimed that the initial inspiration for Lolita was a newspaper story about an ape in a zoo which, after being coaxed for months, produced a drawing of the bars of its cage.
Nabokov was a passionate lepidopterist (a person who studies or collects butterflies and moths), and elements of his interest in entomology have been identified in Lolita and his other works.
The character of Humbert Humbert has been analyzed as an unreliable narrator, a concept that has intrigued readers and scholars alike, enriching the study of the novel's complex narrative layers.
The novel faced censorship and was banned in several countries, including France, the United Kingdom, Argentina, and New Zealand, during the late 1950s and early 1960s because of its controversial content.
Lolita has been adapted into two major films, a musical, several stage plays, and even an opera, with varying degrees of faithfulness to the original novel but contributing to its status as a cultural phenomenon.
About the author
Vladimir Nabokov, born on April 22, 1899, in Saint Petersburg, Russia, emerged as one of the most distinguished writers of the 20th century. His early life in an elite, trilingual household laid the foundation for his multifaceted literary career. After inheriting and then losing a family estate during the Bolshevik Revolution, Nabokov fled Bolshevik rule, leading a life of exile across Europe and eventually in the United States.
Nabokov's literary career began in Berlin, where he first garnered attention as a writer under the pseudonym Vladimir Sirin. Though his initial works were in Russian, his transition to English with the move to the United States marked the beginning of his widespread international acclaim. His novel Lolita (1955), infamous for its controversial subject matter, achieved phenomenal success and is often heralded as his masterpiece.
Apart from his literary achievements, Nabokov made significant contributions to the field of entomology and was a respected chess problem composer. His academic tenure in the United States included positions at Wellesley College and Cornell University, where he influenced a generation of students with his unique teaching philosophy and emphasis on the aesthetic pleasures of literature.
Nabokov's later years were spent in Montreux, Switzerland, where he continued writing until his death on July 2, 1977. His legacy includes not only his novels but also his contributions to literary criticism and the study of lepidoptery. Despite controversies surrounding some of his themes, his position in the cannon of 20th-century literature is undisputed, reflecting a legacy that transcends geographical and linguistic boundaries.
