In Vladimir Nabokov’s, Lolita, Humbert Humbert is clearly a pedophile. But why does he try to make us feel sympathy for him? He knows getting involved with Lolita is morally wrong and inappropriate, not to mention against the law. The reason for this could be because his first love, Annabel, was a nymphet. He loved her and she was taken away from him. Humbert Humbert never got over her death. He is a young boy trapped in a grown man’s body. It has been years since the tragic event, yet he still tries to find his nymphet. Lolita, a nymphet, is what captivated his attention. He says, “It was the same child-the same frail honey-hued shoulders, the same silky supple bare back, the same chestnut of hair” (Nabokov 39). Humbert Humbert thinks he can relive his moments he had with Annabel through Lolita. Lolita is the victim in this situation. Humbert Humbert may not have taken her innocence, but her innocence was lost to someone who was her age. That fact does not allow him to continue what he is doing. He even admits it is still wrong, but he tries to reason with himself to make it seem fine. Humbert Humbert needs to face the truth and realize he cannot have a nymphet.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Humbert's Reasoning Is Wrong
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I agree that Humbert uses Lolita to fill the void that was created after Annabel's death, but I think Humbert Humbert wants sympathy for a different reason. He knows he is wrong. I think Humbert seeks the reader's sympathy because he feels sorry for himself. He recognizes Lolita's control over him, and that his obedience to her is pathetic. Instead of accounting for his ability to resist the temptation of the twelve year old, he wants the reader to think that the only explanation for his pedophilia is that Lolita is irresistible. Humbert Humbert distracts himself from his ability to avoid Lolita. He thinks that if he receives sympathy from his unbiased reader, he will begin to believe that he is innocent.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Humbert uses Lolita to fill the void that was created after Annabel's death, but I think Humbert Humbert wants sympathy for a different reason. He knows he is wrong. I think Humbert seeks the reader's sympathy because he feels sorry for himself. He recognizes Lolita's control over him. Instead of accounting for his ability to resist the temptation of the twelve year old, he wants the reader to think that the only explanation for his pedophilia is that Lolita is irresistible. Humbert Humbert distracts himself from his ability to avoid Lolita. He thinks that if he receives sympathy from his unbiased audience, he can put his mind at ease.
ReplyDeleteShannon, I agree with your statement, "he [Humbert Humbert] thinks that if he receives sympathy from his unbiased audience, he can put his mind at ease." I believe that Humbert Humbert's objection for writing Lolita is not to receive sympathy. Rather, he is seeking personal relief. Humbert Humbert knows his thoughts and actions are wrong. After he dies, he does not want others to remember him as a pedophile.
ReplyDeleteThrough the use of sympanthy, Humbert Humbert obtains personal relief from his guilt. He deliberately includes the story of Annabel so others will believe that he has an excuse for his actions. In addition, Humbert Humbert creates the definition of a "nymphet." The reader is deceived to believe that a sexually desirable "nymphet" causes Humbet Humbert to break the law. Therefore, the audience's sympathy and Humbert Humbert's relief increase. However, one must remember that Humbert Humbert's excuses are ultimately mechanisms used to obtain personal relief.