Are we Humbert's Jury?

Humbert Humbert addresses the ladies and gentlemen of the jury and the reader several times in the novel, which makes me question whether the reader is the jury. Are we, the readers, the jury determining H.H.’s guilty, or are we reading evidence from Humbert’s trial? Could this be something completely different? Humbert Humbert admits to murder (Humbert says, “Guilty of killing Quilty”) and to raping a 12 year-old girl; therefore, he is guilty and belongs in prison, right? At the same time, I sympathizes with Humbert (he wants to be with the love of his life), and if I am the jury, I do not know if I would vote guilty.

            It is clearly evident that Humbert Humbert is trying to seduce the reader into accepting his relationship with Lolita. He says, “O, Reader, My Reader, guess!” (Nabokov 154), which shows he is not only claiming us but enticing us to read on. If the reader is the jury, Humbert’s pleas make sense; comparatively, what if we are not the jury? Why would Humbert want us on his side? I think Humbert’s European nature makes him charming all the time meaning he cannot control himself. He is constantly suave, sophisticated, and attractive on intellectual and emotional levels, which forces us to read on. No one knows what will happen next, because despite all of Humbert’s foreshadowing, H.H. never reveals any information. Humbert might not try to seduce the reader; he might just seduce.

            Personally, I think the intended audience is a jury, but I also do not believe H. H. is purposely manipulating the jurors or the readers. Even with Charlotte, Humbert did not try to make Charlotte fall in love with him; he just did, which is his nature.

The Charm of Lolita

It is indisputable that this novel is at times repulsive, and it is difficult to get past the fact that we are reading about the relationship between a middle-aged man and a 12-year-old girl.  So, why can’t I put it down?  I am admittedly captivated by Humbert Humbert’s prose, and perhaps he even possesses some charm. Also, the chapters are so rich in detail, references, and allusions; unlike other novels, I feel as though Lolita requires my full focus and attention, and that is a characteristic I love about the novel.  It is as if we are piecing together a puzzle, and Nabokov so masterfully crafted Lolita that we discover clues in every chapter.  I am eager to discover the solution to this puzzle

Is it possible to look beyond the pedophiliac nature of Lolita and H.H’s relationship and appreciate it as true, romantic love?  I am conflicted on this question.  On one hand, Lolita is much more mature than an average 12-year-old; she has experience with sex, and she has lost all members of her immediate family.  I don’t think H.H. took away her innocence or deprived her of her childhood, for external factors and other individuals did that.  In addition, it in inarguable that fate has indeed brought Humbert and Lolita together, and it can be seen as romantic that they only have each other.  They are now sole companions, traveling through the United States together—romantic, right?  However, on the other hand, I ask myself whether or not a 12-year-old knows what love is.  So, can we see this as a true story?  Is it possible to look beyond the age difference?  As I read the novel, I find myself viewing it more and more as a love story.  H.H.’s doting, caring passion and Lolita’s attachment and affection give this story charm and appeal.  I admit Humbert Humbert has captured my attention and earned a great deal of sympathy.

In addition, I wonder if the relationship between Europe and America is meant to parallel with the relationship between Humbert Humbert and Lolita.  Humbert Humbert, who represents Europe, is older, more mature, and perhaps more sophisticated and civilized than Lolita.  Meanwhile, Lolita, or America, is younger, less mature, and more barbaric.  

Up until the recent chapters that we have read in class of Lolita, I have had an inconsistent opinion about who is in the wrong in Humbert and Lolita’s affair. Towards the beginning of the book, I was a sole believer that Humbert was a repulsive man. Every time I completed another chapter, his detailed descriptions of Lolita’s features and the fact that he memorized every measurement of her body caused me to become more disgusted with his character. However, in recent chapters my opinion has unexpectedly and drastically changed.

            After reading chapter 27, I was able to form more fair opinion of Lolita’s character and having done that, she is definitely not the average innocent 12 year old girl. Reading further into the chapters, I honestly forget that Lolita is only 12 years old. Lolita has a lustful nature towards Humbert and she does not hold back when it comes to him at all. I feel that she plays mind games and basically preys on Humbert rather than it being the other way around. Lolita’s actions make it extremely hard for me to feel bad for her. Her actions force me to question my views on whether Humbert and Lolita’s relationship is even wrong anymore. I mean yes, we do know Humbert is committing acts of pedophilia and by pursing Lolita he is committing incest as well but, is what Humbert doing really that bad if Lolita is pursuing him back?

            In many cases, I often find myself trying to distinguish who the victim is in this book. Is it Lolita because she is a 12 year old girl, does not know right from wrong, and is being pursued by a significantly older man. Or is the victim Humbert? A man who is hopelessly in love with a child and is put on trial for the terrible actions that have apparently resulted from this love affair. In class today, it was pointed out that in chapter 29, Lolita is described in a scene in which the shadows of the blinds reflecting on her skin can be connected to jail bars with Lolita being behind them. However, I question if Lolita could be behind the jail bars because they are protecting her and keeping everything bad away away or that she is completely in the wrong and she should be behind jail bars because of her lustful actions. In the case of Humbert and Lolita right now, I feel that there is no victim. I feel that Humbert and Lolita are simply two people who enjoy the immoral acts in which they partake.  

The Relationship of Humbert and Fate

As we continue reading Vladimir Nabokov’s novel Lolita, we continuously are made aware of how kind fate is to Humbert.  In every aspect of the novel we see fate.  From the beginning, fate brings Humbert and Lolita together.  When Humbert sees the sunglasses on the beach, he right away knows this is fate.  When Charlotte forces Humbert to marry him or leave, it is fate telling Humbert to stay for the fact of getting to be with Lolita more.

            Fate is evident in Humbert’s relationship with Charlotte.  In chapter 20, Humbert decides to not kill Charlotte and he later finds out Jean Farlow would have witnessed the entire scene.  This is fate saving Humbert from being caught as a murder.  Also, when Charlotte discovers Humbert’s obsession with Lolita, Charlotte is hit by a car and killed before she can mail out her three letters.  This action by fate allows Humbert to have Lolita all to himself.  Vladimir Nabokov constantly shows how kind fate is to Humbert, but we may sometimes read over the cruel actions fate has on Humbert.

            Fate is not always kind to Humbert.  We see every woman in Humbert’s life die.  From the age of 9, Annabel, his first true love dies.  Next comes his mother, who died in a lighting storm.  Finally Charlotte is killed when she is hit by a car.  This moves me to wonder what is going to happen to Lolita to continue this cruelty by fate.

No Sympathy for a Villain

From the beginning of Lolita I have felt no sympathy for Humbert Humbert. I see him as a villain who purely thinks of himself. In many scenes he has tried to make himself seem like a good guy but I feel as if I read into everything he says and see his actual motives.No matter the language Humbert Humbert uses to sound intelligent we must not forget his intention. H.H's intentions is to sleep with a 12 year old girl, and he is on trial for murder. H.H is a man of impulse and this obviously does not work well in his favor. He decides to marry Lolita's mother to become closer to Lolita not even thinking out the obstacles that his new marriage will put in his way.
H.H's only concern is Lolita and he does not care about anyone else. He has a sick and twisted mine and in my head he can only be viewed as a villain. Even though H.H talks about saving Lolita's innocence he only has himself in mind. If H.H is a hero he is only saving his attraction to Lolita. He acts as if he is in love with Lolita but I believe he is only obsessed with her appearance. In reality he only plans on taking away her innocence to get what he wants. The fantasies he has of Lolita are sick and can never make me feel any type of sympathy for H.H because in my opinion his thoughts are evil. The temptation he faces is wrong and because he has no intentions of denying his lust for Lolita it makes him a villain.
Besides, his lustful thoughts towards a young girl H.H fantasizes about murder. He has violent thoughts and is deceitful and rude. He calls people rude names and says the most hateful things. He tells us all the ways he would hurt Valeria, and even plots a way to kill Charlotte. It is hard to see a good side to Humbert Humbert because of all the secrets he reveals about his inner thoughts. Not only does he want sleep with Lolita, he wants to kill her mother so he can be alone with her.

How Does Lolita Really Feel About Humbert?

            As we give presentations and read each chapter, one question that is consistent in each discussion is whether or not Lolita is attracted to Humbert. While we are well aware of Humbert’s feelings, we are have not been given a clear answer about Lolita’s feelings towards Humbert. Vanity Fair calls the book “The only convincing love story of our century.” Lolita gives Humbert a kiss before she leaves for Camp Q. While in the car, Lolita and Humbert hold hands. All this does suggest that Lolita has a serious attraction for Humbert Humbert. However, I am still not convinced that Lolita has a serious attraction to Humbert.

           In chapter 11, it is mentioned Humbert resembles an actor Lolita has a crush on. This could mean that Lolita’s flirtatious behavior and affinity for Humbert Humbert is more of a girl-crush (similar to one between a prepubescent fan girl and a member of a boy band) rather than serious attraction. Lolita could also show kindness and flirtatiousness towards Humbert Humbert because of her mother’s (obvious) attraction to Humbert.  Lolita may flirt with Humbert either to annoy her mom or to tease her. While we know Charlotte Haze seems to despise Lolita, I am not convinced Lolita hates her mother. The kiss Lolita gives to Humbert could be because Lolita is aware of Charlotte’s desire to marry Humbert.  She may see Humbert as a father figure now and a companion to her mother. A kiss on the cheek may be a sign that she welcomes Humbert to their family.

         Vanity Fair’s statement does not necessarily mean the love story goes both directions, it could mean a love story that focuses only on the love Humbert has for Lolita. Lolita’s lack of concern for Humbert when he calls her at Camp Q also indicates she may like Humbert only because he is a companion for her mother. Lolita may want her mother to be happy, or maybe she believes her mother finding a husband will improve their relationship. While it does seem unlikely Lolita did not notice Humbert rubbing against her in chapter 13, in the next chapter Humbert seems very sure of her not noticing the act. If she acts as though it did not happen if she noticed, she might be okay with Humbert’s sexual advances. However, Humber’s certainty indicates that Lolita did not notice what Humbert did; there is nothing guaranteeing she has a strong attraction to Humbert. Is her affection simply the result of a girl-crush or a family bond?  Or is Lolita's behavior the result of her love for Humbert?

Never Grow Up

I do not know how to interpret the motives behind the disturbed character of Humbert Humbert.  The uncomfortable feeling I feel every time I open this book will never cease.  I cannot understand how a man of late 30s can love a girl as young as 12.  Humbert Humbert understands that his sexual thoughts about young girls are morally wrong, but he does nothing to stop his urges.   As we continue to read in class the vulgar images continue to appear in my head.  Humbert’s obsession with his nymphets is what haunts my mind the most.  Just the definition of a nymphet, and Humbert’s openness to verbalizing his fantasies with these nymphets makes me sick to my stomach.  Humbert’s use of sophisticated language casually masks his vulgar thoughts, and makes it hard for us as readers to understand the deeper meaning.  At the first read, Humbert sounds intelligent and playful, but as we read deeper into the underneath layer we realize how disturbed Humbert truly is.   

Why is Humbert so disturbed?  What is the seduction of a nymphet so exhilarating?  Why is Humbert affected by the thought of having sexual relations with a minor?  I cannot bring myself to understand the sick mind of Humbert Humbert.  The sick, but also intelligent, mind of Humbert constantly comes back to the simple pleasures of young children.  Humbert writes, “Rope-skipping, hopscotch… Let them play around me forever. Never grow up” (Nabokov 20-21).  For such an intelligent man, he focuses on silly games of children.  Why?  Is this a way for Humbert to connect to his lost childhood?  Or is he trying to he recreate the sexual sensations he felt with his first “girl- child” Annabel?  What do the references of childish games really mean?  I do not know what the mentions of these games mean, but I believe that Humbert is trying to find a young child who reminds him of his Annabel.  Even though years have passed since Annabel’s death, Humbert wants to regain his childhood.  Humbert wanting young children to play around him is not only for his disgusting sexual fantasies, but to help him never grow up.  Humbert’s childhood was ruined by his relationship with Annabel.  Their young age combined with the adult act of sex forced Humbert to grow up, and ruined his sense of reasonable thinking.  Humbert’s mind continues to disintegrate as he finds more young girls like Annabel.  His pleasure only comes from young girls, because Annabel was the only girl to please him. Humbert’s attempt at hiding secret messages behind his intelligence will not make us forget that he will be nothing more than a pedophile.