Although one may find Humbert Humbert’s love for Lolita to be completely true and innocent, I believe otherwise. Despite the fact that Humbert Humbert’s first love Annabel deceased, the ability to fall in love with a twelve year old girl as a middle aged man is absurd. Even though Humbert Humbert claims to still love Lolita as she grows out of her nymphet stage, I still cannot get passed that fact that Humbert Humbert had sexual relations with Lolita, his twelve year old step daughter. Humbert Humbert’s full recognition of having incestuous relations with his step daughter made it more difficult for me to believe Humbert Humbert was not a pedophile. However, Lolita’s promiscuous behavior throughout the relationship causes me to feel less compassionate towards her. Humbert Humbert is composed of pedophiliac characteristics while Lolita is simply a tramp.
As we conclude the novel, Humbert Humbert professes his love that still exists for Lolita. Although Lolita is now a young adult, I still find it extremely difficult to consider this a true love story. Humbert Humbert having sexual relations with his stepdaughter and Lolita’s interest in having sexual relations with her stepfather is repulsive. Although Humbert Humbert’s love for Lolita may be real, it does not rectify the actions taken by both characters throughout the novel.
Mike I agree with you that this is not a true love story. If it were a true love story, then they would have stayed together throughout the story. First off, love can only exist if both people share the same feelings. In Lolita's case, she does not share the same thoughts on the relationship, as does Humbert. It is obvious that Lolita is attempting to leave but because it is a first person narrative, we are forced to believe everything Humbert says. An instance where Lolita attempts to rid herself of Humberts reign is when she "saves the car from rolling away." Lolita's actions are justified in my eyes because if she does not have sex with Humbert then she has nowhere to run to because her mother is dead. Ultimately, I agree that it is not love, but I sympathize with Lolita because of her mother's death.
ReplyDeleteMike and Kyle,I agree with you both! Humbert Humbert has made me nauseous since the first chapter. Towards the end of the novel, when Humbert says he loves Lolita regardless of her age, the thought of true love did enter my mind; however, a subtle, yet important character came to my mind- Valeria. Humbert was attracted to Valeria for her childish appearance and actions, which caused him to foolishly propose and marry her. After her true adult personality proved to prevail, Humbert is no longer interested in her. Who is to say the same situation would not occur with Lolita? I feel it would. Humbert is blinded by the bliss of nymphets. Humbert has not seen Lolita in years; she is still a child to him. He is unaware of the growth and development she underwent. Humbert does not love Lolita; he only thinks he does.
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