The Story of Annabel Lee: Does it Justify Humbert Humbert's Actions

The story of the love affair between Annabel Lee and Humbert Humbert tells the reader a lot of information. The story of Annabel Lee tells us that Humbert Humbert's want for "nymphets" comes from the missed opportunity of sex with Annabel Lee (Nabokov 14-15). The story justifies Humbert Humbert's want for Lolita, a girl that is the age of 12 and the story of Annabel Lee tells us that Humbert Humbert did not always express his desires for younger girls, "nymphets." There is a possibility that this story can be false through different interpretations which can change the basis of Humbert Humbert's views. In chapter four of part one, Humbert Humbert states,

She [Annabel Lee] sat a little higher than I, and whenever in her solitary ecstasy she was led to kiss me, her head would bend with a sleepy, soft, drooping movement that was almost woeful, and her bare knees caught and compressed my wrist, and slackened again; and her quivering mouth, distorted by the acridity of some mysterious potion...then my darling would draw away with a nervous toss of her hair. (Nabokov 15)

Annabel Lee shows some resistance to Humbert Humbert's sexual actions through Humbert Humbert's descriptions. When Hubert Humbert states that Annabel Lee "caught and compressed" his wrists, Humbert Humbert is showing that Annabel Lee is resisting his sexual actions. When Humbert Humbert describes Annabel Lee's "quivering mouth," Humbert Humbert is showing Annabel's fear. When Humbert Humbert describes Annabel Lee giving a "nervous toss of her hair," Humbert Humbert is stating that Annabel Lee is having an unstable reaction to Humbert Humbert's sexual acts. These acts can be viewed as Humbert Humbert's attempted rape of Annabel Lee. If the love affair story is one of rape, then Humbert Humbert's want for "nymphets," and his want for Lolita is not justified through the Annabel Lee story. The Annabel Lee story can be viewed as an excuse for Humbert Humbert to desire adolescent girls.

Humbert Humbert's Sleeping Pill Act can be Justified

I, personally, do no not think that Humbert Humbert's act of giving Lolita sleeping pills is justified, but with a closer analysis, this act can be justified. Humbert Humbert gives Lolita these pills so he can molest her, and Lolita would have no knowledge of it. This can be considered a justified act because this shows that Humbert Humbert cares about the Lolita's sanity and well-being. Who knows what Lolita would think if Humbert Humbert forcefully rape her. Her behavior can show signs of insanity or she can experience unstable conditions. Humbert Humbert is looking out for her well-being by giving her the sleeping pills with the intent of raping her. In chapter 27 of part one, Humbert Humbert states, "'Oh, just Purpills. Vitamin X. Makes one strong as an ox or an ax. Want to try one?'" (Nabokov 122). Humbert Humbert does not force Lolita to take the pills, he tricks her in to taking the pills which can justify his act as well. If he were to force Lolita to take the pills, Humbert Humbert would show his act of violence and abuse, ultimately, causing this act to be unjust. The fact that Humbert Humbert performed this act on Lolita without using violence or force, and the fact that he performed this act with the intent of keeping Lolita stable can make this act justified. Is this act justified, yes or no?

Existentialism

At one point while I was reading Lolita, I noticed that "existentialism" is mentioned very briefly. Humbert says it in passing, so I first thought of it as nothing. After finishing this novel, I've learned to never take anything Humbert says for granted. We all know that existentialism is the study of existence after learning about this topic earlier in the year, but why would Nabokov make a reference to this study? Looking back, I feel like Nabokov is trying to make the "jury" question the importance of Humbert's existence. Why is it important that Humbert exists?

Despite Humbert’s vile and atrocious actions, he is one of the most intriguing characters I have ever read about. He writes about each of his encounters in such a way that the reader can truly sympathize with him even though his actions may seem unforgivable to certain people. I feel that Nabokov created Humbert to show that such a character can exist. His encounters with Lolita seem so surreal and out of the ordinary, yet at the same time, Nabokov portrays Humbert in a way that the reader can easily agree with him. In this manner, Humbert is the most realistic character that I have ever seen within a novel.

Society

People are judgmental and they will always remain that way. They believe that being gay or lesbian is wrong, that having sex with a brother or sister is wrong, or an adult having sex with a child is wrong. I believe that people should live their life and stop judging the lives of other people. Going back to the idea of pedophilia, if I were a man in my late 30’s, would I ever have sex with a young girl? No. Do I believe it is wrong for an adult to have sexual intercourse with a child who is willing to have sex with an adult? No. Right now, you may be saying in your head that I am disturbed or crazy, but think about it.

Lolita wanted to have sex with Humbert. If she did not, she would not have seduced him multiple times. “Well, you haven’t kissed me yet, have you?” (Nabokov 112). In this instance, Lolita wanted Humbert to kiss him. Eventually, she jumped on him and kissed his lips. This shows that Lolita is as attracted to Humbert as he is to her. She was old enough to know that in her society it is wrong to show any sexual attraction to an adult, but rejecting societal values, she does it anyway. Humbert is not influencing her in anyway to kiss him, she is the one invoking Humbert to kiss him. Since he does not kiss her, she forces herself on to him.

Furthermore, Lolita continues to further her sexual acts with Humbert. While in Enchanted Hunters, Lolita asks if Humbert ever had sex as a child. “You never did it when you were a kid?...Here is where we start” (Nabokov 133). In this instance, it is evident that Lolita wants to have sex with Humbert. By brining up the subject of sex, she is trying to sexually arouse him. Lolita is a slut and she wants Humbert to fulfill her sexual desires.

Overall, I believe that pedophilia is not wrong if the child influences the adult to have sexual intercourse. If a child and adult both agree on having sex, leave them be. At the respectable age of 12, I believe that a child is old enough to make a decision to have sex with an adult just as Lolita made the decision to have sex with Humbert.

Who has the Power?

After reading Vladimir Nabokov’s novel, Lolita, I witnessed a power struggle between the two main characters, Humbert Humbert and Lolita Haze. Humbert, a pedophile in his late 30’s who desired sexual intercourse for a nymphet, uses Lolita to fulfill his pleasures. Meanwhile, the young girl, Lolita, takes advantage of Humbert’s sexual desires and the law against pedophilia in order to gain possessions. By being advantageous of one another’s strengths and weaknesses, one is able to obtain power from the other party.

With his disturbing, perverse mindset, Humbert used Lolita to fulfill his sexual desires. “Her legs, her lovely live legs, were not too close together, and when my hand located what it sought, a dreamy and eerie expression, half-pleasure, half-pain came over those childish features (Nabokov 14). In this instance, this was the first time Humbert had sexual intercourse with Lolita. He desired a nymphet, and he used Lolita to fulfill his craving. By using Lolita’s body to pleasure himself, he took her innocence and purity that she had. Even though she knew it was wrong to have sex with him, he was able to persuade her to have sex with him. Because Humbert satisfied his sexual desires by using Lolita, he shows that he has control over her mind and body. In addition to using Lolita for sex, Humbert took advantage of Charlotte’s death. After she died, Humbert knew that this was his opportunity to be with Lolita. When he eventually tells her about her mother’s death, she shows her sadness that night. “At the hotel we had separate rooms, but in the middle of the night she came sobbing into mine” (Nabokov 142). In this instance, Lolita shows that she needs someone to comfort for in her time of need. The only person who she believes cares for her is Humbert. Because Humbert is all she has, she wants to follow his demands which is to have sex with her.

While Humbert uses Lolita to fulfill his sexual craves and makes her believe that he is the only person who cares for her, Lolita uses his sexual desires to backfire on him. Because Humbert has sex with Lolita to pleasure himself, Lolita is able to get what he wants from him. “She constantly received from me all kinds of small presents...she earn her three pennies--or three nickels--per day” (Nabokov 184). In this instance, this shows that she now has control over Humbert. She is able to take advantage of his sexual desires in which she is able to gain money and presents from him. Even though she is young, she shows that she is manipulative and an intelligent person. In addition, she is able to use the law against pedophilia to her advantage. In an instance where Humbert argues with Lolita, she accuses him of rape. “She said I had attempted to violate her several times when I was her mother’s roomer” (Nabokov 205). Since Humbert is a man in his late 30’s and Lolita is 13 years old, she is able to threaten him with the police. If he is found out of his crime, he will be taken away from Lolita. As a result, Humbert agrees to her demands in which she wants to leave Beardsley and live somewhere else. Here, Lolita shows that she has control over him is able to influence his decisions.

Overall, I believe that Lolita remains powerful over Humbert. By receiving $4000 from Humbert and keeping her life the way it is, that shows that she has total control over him. Even though she had a disturbed childhood, she still has her husband who cares for her, while Humbert is left $4000 poorer and alone.

Body Language

Once I have finished reading the book, Lolita, I realized that there is much body language throughout that goes on. The way each character reacts to specific actions should be looked at carefully. One example is when Lolita and Humbert Humbert are alone in the house. Lolita may or may not be intentionally putting her legs on top of Humbert Humbert, but Humbert Humbert is instantly changed. He views her body language to be a fascinating part of Lolita. With this body language, Humbert Humbert responds in his own body language. He moves around and realizes he has pleased himself without making her know. "I has stolen the honey of a spasm without impairing the morals of a minor. Absolutely no harm done" (Nabokov 62).

During the ending of Lolita, Humbert Humbert finds Clare Quilty and seeks revenge. Clare shows how nervous he is when Humbert Humbert finds him and begins to talk to him. Humbert Humbert watched Clare trying to change the subject about Lolita. Clare tries to make Humbert Humbert think of something else while Clare tries to find something. "He turned his head away, looking for something. He beat his pockets. He attempted to rise from his seat" (Nabokov 296). Clare's body language proves that he is trying to avoid the situation by bringing up different topics for their conversation. Clare tries to ignore what Humbert Humbert is trying to talk about. Clare attempt to move on from the topic and fidgets. Reading through this final chapter, one will find many signs of nervous body language with Clare. However, Humbert Humbert's body language seems to be a strong and powerful force he uses against society. This means he can usually hide his love for Lolita in public.

Misleading Love Story

Vladimir Nabokov’s novel, Lolita, does not portray the same story and the movie. The novel allows the reader to interpret Humbert and Lolita’s relationship as either mutual or one-sided. I personally believe that a young girl could never initiate a relationship with a grown man, but the movie is not open to the same interpretation. In the movie, Lolita is portrayed as an older looking girl and clearly responsible for seducing Humbert. Was the novel written with the intent to make readers side with Humbert? I believe that because Humbert is the narrator of the story, readers tend to understand his perspective. While to some he may be seen as innocent because the story is written from his point of view, I believe he is guilty of being a pedophile.

The contrast between the novel and movie becomes clear in the scene in which Humbert picks up Lolita from Camp Q. The book portrays Humbert’s inappropriate thoughts as he plots to “whizz over to Camp Q, tell Lolita her mother was about to undergo a major operation at an invented hospital, and keep moving with my sleepy nymphet from inn to inn while her mother got better and better and finally died” (Nabokov 106). Contrasting the novel, the movie shows that Humbert is lying to Lolita to protect her and does not show much emotion or excitement about seeing her. I believe the movie was made to persuade viewers to see Lolita as a seductive, shady character. Also, the novel was written in Humbert’s perspective to make readers sympathize with him, however, I do not.

Can Humbert Claim His Own Insanity?

After concluding our novel, I have come across an article in regards to Humbert Humbert’s behavior. The article, "A Fair Punishment for Humbert Humbert: Strict Liability and Affirmative Defenses", written by Vera Bergelson, states various accounts of why Humbert Humbert’s behavior with Lolita would be considered rape. It also states a possible valid excuse for Humbert’s behavior that he himself can claim to be true. Humbert Humbert can claim his own insanity. This would benefit Humbert Humbert in proving his unawareness of Lolita’s real age. “If Humbert Humbert tried to argue that he had acted under a mistaken belief that Lolita was above the age of consent, he most likely would not prevail. He would not prevail even if he made all possible efforts to find out Lolita's true age, or if he fell prey to Lolita's own deception. The outcome, however, would be different if Humbert Humbert could prove that his misperception of Lolita's age was a result of insanity. In that case, Humbert Humbert would have a valid defense” (Bergelson 1). However, Humbert Humbert is aware of Lolita’s age and recognizes that his behavior is absurd, but does that still mean he cannot suffer from insanity? Throughout the novel, Humbert Humbert is also witnessed questioning whether or not he is hallucinating or imagining certain individuals. Does HumbertHumbert’s awareness of the absurdity in his actions cause him to appear even more insane, or does it only prove his sanity more?

Questions, Questions, (unanswered) Questions..

At the conclusion of the novel, Humbert states the thought of a name "And I have toyed with many pseudonyms for myself before I hit on a particularly apt one. There are many in my notes "Otto Otto" and "Mesmer Mesmer" and "Lambert Lambert," but for some reason I think my choice expressed the nastiness best" (Nabokov 308). Perhaps this is Humberts way of saying the whole story was a lie, considering he changed his name in order to write the novel. However, Humbert openly admits to his wrong doings towards Loltia. It makes the reader wonder if Humbert is even Humbert's real name. Perhaps there are other parts of the novel that are made up too. Maybe Humbert was lying about Lolita throwing herself onto him, at the same time, he may have been lying that he had touched her. But the reader knows that Humbert is in jail. Although he is in jail for having killed Quilty, perhaps that is all he is in jail for and no one but he and Lolita know about the past that he and Lolita experienced. Quilty would have been the only other person who knew what happened, other than Charlotte, but she had died too. And now that Quilty is dead, is it true that only Humbert and Lolita know the truth?

What You Want Is Not Enough

Upon further examination of two relationships in Lolita, I find a striking similarity between the relationships of Humbert and Lolita, and Quilty and Lolita. First off, as we all know Humbert is mesmerized by Lolita's every move and fantasizes about the various things he would do to her. However, because the story is a first person narrative from Humbert, we never see inside of Lolita's mind. When I closely examine Lolita's mindset, I believe that Humbert's obsession for Lolita is equivalent to the obsession that Lolita has for Quilty. Lolita is scared of Humbert finding out that she wants to be with Quilty just as Humbert is scared of Charlotte finding out his true love for Lolita. Both Lolita and Humbert abuse sex in order to get an unfair advantage on the other person. Humbert has sex with Charlotte and even gets her pregnant. Because of the pregnancy, it assures Humbert that he will forever be around the family now that he has a true blood relative on the way. Humbert's pedophilic actions are all because he wants to be around Lolita. Humbert plays Charlotte just like Lolita plays Humbert because she uses him to gain enough money to run away and support herself. She knew all along that her heart was with Quilty and she runs away with him to find that her love was not real. This resembles Humbert eventually having sexual relations with Lolita, only to find out that he now has to worry about being exposed as a pedophile instead of enjoying his life with Lolita.

A Comedic Relief

Reading the book is always better than reading the book, as what most people say. After watching parts of the movie in class, it shows how much of a difference writing makes to a reader than the movie to a viewer. In the book, the plot may seem dramatic and abnormal while to some, it is seen as a comedy. The movie seems to portray the story more of a comedy than a tragedy.

Lolita in the movie seems to be played by an older woman than a young twelve year old girl. Personally, I think that the movie is directed in a less serious offense than how the book treats the situation of Humbert Humbert and Lolita. For those who take the plot in a serious way because an older man falls in love with a young girl, the movie acts as a comedic relief to soothe the disturbing feeling from the story.

The background music of the movie is a happy and upbeat song that plays even throughout the worst situations, like Mrs. Haze's death. The way that Humbert Humbert and Lolita acts are hilarious and not taken seriously by the audience. With those two factors, how can the audience take the movie seriously? There are many jokes in the book that are incorporated in the movie which makes it a comedy. This questions my outlook on the novel now.. was it written on a serious or comedic note?

Fake love

While I am reading Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov, I realized that this book contains the fake love of people. Some characters in Lolita, such as Humbert Humbert, Dolores Haze, Charlotte Haze and even Jean Farlow show fake love in the story. Humbert Humbert does not love Lolita. He obsesses with her, not love her. Also when he married to Valeria and Dolores Haze, he did not love both of them at all. He married to Valeria to cure himself of his addiction to nymphets, and he married to Charlotte Haze to stay with Lolita. Humbert’s only lover Dolores Haze shows fake love as well. Even though Dolores once loved Humbert, as the novel ends, she becomes a faker. She needs Humbert, not because she loves him, but because she has no one besides him. Charlotte Haze loves Humbert, but in the book, it seems as obsession like Humbert’s obsession toward Lolita. Lastly, Jean Farlow kissed Humbert after the death of Charlotte. She confessed secret love toward Humbert, even though she already married.

Even though Vanity Fair stated that the Lolita is the only convincing love story of our century , throughout the book, it clearly shows the fake love of people. So I doubt that this is the only convincing love story of our century.

Money

Lolita runs away from Humbert. A few years later, she is married and has a husband. She writes to Humbert asking for money. When he visits her, he gives her four thousand dollars. Does Lolita ask for the money because she knows that Humbert will give it to her? It seems so. Since Lolita’s mother died, Lolita does not have anyone else. That is why she was with Humbert for so long. But even if Humbert would give her the money, why would she ask him? Would she not be afraid that he would then come back into her life? She was finally free of him for a few years. Maybe Lolita wants to give Humbert a second chance. Maybe since she was pregnant, she wants Humbert to realize that he should move on. Maybe since she does not have any other family, she wants Humbert to be a part of the baby’s life. Humbert gives Lolita the money because he claims to love her. I do not believe he actually loves her. I believe he loves the idea of her. He spent so much time and energy trying to make their relationship real that it is too hard for him to give up on it. Maybe Humbert gives Lolita the money for another chance at their relationship.

The English Language vs. French

In Lolita, Vladimir Nabokov proves he is a brilliant writer through his playfulness with language. Fluent in English, Russian and French, Nabokov decided to write Lolita in English with some words in French. He chose to write the majority of his novel in English, because he felt the English language had more vocabulary and opportunity to use double entendres. Humbert Humbert tells the reader, “I gave her to hold in her awkward fist the scepter of my passion” (Nabokov 15). Nabokov is referring to Lolita and Humbert Humbert’s sexual interactions with each other. However, Nabokov’s ability to subtract the vulgarity of the action proves his skill with words. Readers may even fail to notice the meaning behind many of Humbert Humbert’s double entendres.

Because French is a romance language, I believe Nabokov chose to write some words in French, because words in French sound more seductive than words in English when read aloud. For instance, Nabokov writes, “Annabel did not come out well, caught as she was in the act of bending over her chocolat glacé” (Nabokov 13). In English, chocolat glacé means chocolate cake. Though the meaning of the words stays the same, these words sound more attractive when spoken in French. I think Nabokov intentionally added French words into his work to create a seductive tone throughout Lolita.

Excuses, Excuses

After reading Lolita, I have come to a conclusion: Humbert Humbert is full of excuses. He acknowledges that his pedophilia is wrong. Rather than accepting his punishment, Humbert Humbert provides a series of excuses for his relationship with Lolita. As the jury, the readers must decide whether his excuses are the truth or the product of his defense. I believe that Humbert Humbert is an unreliable narrator, who uses excuses to defend his pedophilic thoughts and actions.

Humbert Humbert's first excuse is evident with his creation of the word, "nymphet." Nymphet, a fictional word, describes a young girl, who possess sexual appeal and knowledge beyond her years. By identifying Lolita as a nymphet, Humbert Humbert defends his actions. He states, "Frigid gentleman of the jury! ... I am going to tell you something very strange: it was she who seduced me" (Nabokov 132). He claims that Lolita made the first move because she is a nymphet. However, the jury must remember that nymphet is a fictional word, created for Humbert Humbert's excuse.

Furthermore, Humbert Humbert defends his obsession with Lolita. He claims that he loves her. However, I believe that he is using this argruement to excuse his actions. If Humbert Humbert "loves" Lolita, than it is it excusable for him to try to control her. However, I believe that Humbert Humbert controls Lolita because he needs her sexually. In addition, Humbert Humbert uses the excuse that he "loves" Lolita to justify his murder of Clare Quilty. The reader is led to believe that he kills Quilty because of his love for Lolita. However, I believe that Humbert Humbert kills Quilty because of his excessive pride. Similar to Valeria's lover, Humbert Humbert cannot bear the thought that Lolita would leave him for someone else. Therefore, Clare Quilty must die.

As a member of the jury, do you believe that Humbert Humbert is telling the truth? Or do you believe that his "love" for Lolita is an excuse for his pedophilic actions?

Love or Lust

Throughout the whole novel, Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita contains the complicated concept of love and lust between Lolita and Humbert Humbert. However, in my opinion, Humbert Humbert and Lolita’s relationship leans more towards lust. Humbert Humbert may sound like he is a true lover, but after observing his past life style, he is a true pedophile. He focuses much attention to sexual attributes of Lolita. His superficial love persuaded the readers and gave him an image of an innocent man. “And less than six inches from me and my burning life, was nebulous Lolita! After a long stirless vigil, my tentacles moved towards her again, and this time the creak of the mattress did nor awake her” (Nabokov 130). His ability of using complicated language gave him an advantage to avoid the image of a pedophile.
Lolita would be considered as an immature teenager. She fell for Humbert Humbert’s superficial love and care. However, her actions prove that she is a child prostitute. The second part of the novel adds more negative image of Lolita. Her betrayal on Humbert Humbert was a tragic moment for Humbert Humbert, and Lolita was masked with an image of a heartless woman. The lust was the only part that satisfied Lolita and Humbert Humbert’s relationship. Because of their immature and perverted nature, their relationship would not be considered as love but lust.

Violence: Uncontrollable or Unbelievable?

Throughout Lolita, readers experience the violent thoughts occurring in Humbert Humbert’s mind. Vladimir Nabokov’s descriptive language makes certain events believable to a reader at first that they may later reconsider. For example, when Humbert and Charlotte are spending the day at Hourglass Lake, Humbert is determined to drown Charlotte. He says, “The fatal gesture passes like the tail of a falling star across the blackness of the contemplated crime” (Nabokov 86). Humbert is descriptively explaining that his opportunity is right in front of him. He is clearly aware that his chance is slipping away, yet he continues to waste his time planning, in his mind, the exact order of the events to follow in which he will achieve the perfect murder. Similarly, earlier in the book, Humbert is informed of his wife’s affair and plots to kill her, as well. Fortunately for Humbert and excuse allows him to escape the possibility of acting on his threats—Valeria’s lover does not leave them alone. It is this characteristic that makes Humbert’s perspective so unbelievable to readers. Although Humbert is intimidating in his mind, readers can come to realize that he is not the type of person to act on his violent thoughts.