Admittedly this story is rather disturbing, sick and emotionally confusing. While I myself believe that Humbert’s love for Lolita was in the beginning a dark sort of desire for an innocent child (driven, of course, by his original young love, Annabel Leigh at the princedom by the sea), in order to play out his past fantasies of being with Annabel, I found, especially toward the end of the story, a certain genuine nature in Humbert’s words. I also believe that he loves Lolita because in the end she is seventeen and he still loves her. A pedophile is someone who, by definition is someone attracted to a child under the age of fourteen. This being said, his love for her could not have been a mere physical one. Also, she is married and pregnant with the child of another man’s child, and only came into contact with him due to financial need, and yet still he begs her to join him and live with him, saying “some day, any day, that you will not come and live with me? I will create a brand new God and thank him with piercing cries, if you will give me that microscopic hope.” And then, even when she rejects his offers and denies him the hope, he still gives her four thousand dollars, even though she’d only asked for four hundred.
Then in the end Humbert goes and kills Quilty, saying that he was Lolita’s “father.” As wrong and sick as it may seem, I think that deep down Humbert felt two kind of loves for Lolita: there was the sinful and lustful desire for her young body that he knew was wrong, and there was a strange type of familial love. Humbert was protective and caring toward Lolita.He never did anything to intentionally harm her (at least not in the way that Quilty would have) and was disgusted with what Quilty wanted to do. And when Quilty took his Lolita away, Humbert destroyed him.
Despite the story being corrupt and wrong, I think that somewhere hidden in under the lust and misery of Lolita and Humbert’s lives together, there was an honest feeling love. At least on Humbert’s part.
"Lolita" is a love story about love itself. Questioning HH and Lolita's relationship is futile. Lolita has little to no romantic feelings for HH. She cries every night and runs away from him. No, the main focus is on Humbert Humbert. To properly answer this question, I focus on Humbert and his relationship with love itself.
In retrospect, the novel is an unparalleled portrait of real love. It is considered to be the greatest because it does what most other works of fiction doesn't. "Lolita" lets love truly triumph over everything. It delves into every dark corner of this mysterious noun in a way that nothing ever has before. Sure, plenty of movies say that love conquers all. "Lolita" takes that sentiment to the extreme by studying the absolute, unlimited power of love. HH is the test subject. He is in love with Lolita. Initially, his reasons are purely lust. He may romanticize every inch of her body, but he ultimately wants to be inside her. As their relationship continues, his love morphs into something beyond carnal knowledge. He starts to care for her. HH has good intentions when he tries to change her. He wants her to be cultured and have hobbies for her sake and for the sake of their relationship. When Lolita leaves HH's captivity, he tracks down her abductor and kills him years after Lolita's departure.
If the relationship seems one sided, that's because it is. Lolita contributes nothing. HH's one-sided, yet unrelenting affection is the highest extent of love. Love is an emotion, not a science. There is no checklist of adjectives or a minimum requirement that HH could put on Lolita (or any person on someone else) that equates to love. Every other work of fiction depicts it as a working progress based off of the similarities against the differences. "Lolita" denies that. Instead, HH loves Lolita just because. Pre-pubescent girls aren't the paragon of beauty but HH finds Lolita gorgeous because that's what love does. Love is illogical. HH killed a man and went to jail for his love, even though she rejected him. That is unexplainable because love is unexplainable. Love corrupts. Love is horrible, like fire and ice and rage. Love is indestructible beyond reason, ancient and forever as time and the universe. But love is wonderful, directly proportionally to happiness. This is the portrait of love that only "Lolita" has accomplished. Love transcends age, gender, religion, culture, laws, limits, reason and control. Love is powerful and therefore dangerous but people go through it because they "need the eggs".
The last paragraph of "Lolita", in addition to being one of the most romantic things I've ever read, summarizes the novel's dark and twisted love letter to love. After a year of hell with Lolita, after forcing himself to kill a man, after realizing that his true love doesn't love him, HH maintains his love because that's what true love is. Humbert Humbert wrote "Lolita" for 2 reasons. 1) So that people in 2012 can see what true love is, for good or for bad 2) So he can talk to Lolita for generations after they're dead. "And this is the only immortality you and I may share, my Lolita"
In the story "Lolita," Humbert Humbert is in love with love. HH's original attraction to Lolita stemmed from his longing of his childhood love, Annabel. HH is in love with the love he felt as a kid, and wants to recreate that with Lolita. I think that Humbert is completely devoted to Lolita because he sees her as a second Annabel, and that's why he has so much affection for Lolita. It is impossible to say that HH and Lolita are in love, because she never does reciprocate his emotions.
Humbert Humbert is jealous and possessive because of his intense affection for Lolita. When enrolled in school, he forbids her to be involved in extra-curriculars or fraternize with boys. Instead of HH enticing Lolita to be in a relationship with him, his forbiddance only drives her away. HH thinks that ultimately keeping her away from being with other men will make her love Humbert, which it does not. His behavior forces her to stray, which she knows he doesn't want. While Humbert Humbert becomes increasingly manipulative, Lolita does as well because she knows he would actually kill to be with her. The power of love that HH is under forces him to forget all reason and eventually murder Clare Quilty for "abducting" Lolita two years prior.
After reading "Lolita", one can see that it truly is the "only convincing love story of our century." The character of Humbert within "Lolita" shows that even though his love for Lolita is not returned, it was true and innocent. Although it may seem odd that Humbert's love was innocent seeing as he was near forty and Lolita was twelve, he proved throughout the book that he was a hopeless romantic. Lolita shows that not all love stories have to end with people ending up together. The simplicity of Humbert's love of Lolita from the beginning to the end of his story was obvious; making it one of the saddest love stories in history.
Humbert truly loved Lolita. This fact made it possible for the book to be considered a love story. While at first Humbert seemed only to lust after Lolita, the audience can see later that it was actually love at first sight. Humbert thought Lolita was perfect in the way that she looked. When Humbert first mentioned his first sight of Lolita, he said, "All I know is that while the Haze woman and I went down the steps into the breathless garden, my knees were like reflections of knees in rippling water, and my lips were like sand, and---." He found her breathtakingly beautiful. He found her attractive but in a way he was drawn to her not only for her physical appearance but for a want to know more about her. She was different. As he began to see Lolita for who she really was, a young brat of a girl, he continued to adore her. He found her attitude charming. This shows that he chose to look past her faults and accept her for who she was. He loved her and the audience could finally see that he had fallen in love with her. Humbert admired Lolita's beauty and personality.
As the book progressed, Humbert continued to love Lolita even though she grew more distant from him. He got jealous of other men when they were near her. He even took her out of school so she had to pay more attention to him. He was desperate for her to love him back as he loved her. At the end of the book, Humbert's love for Lolita drove him to murder Clarence Quincy. He could not stand Lolita loving another man. At the same time, Humbert could not kill Lolita's husband, although he wanted to at first. He realized that Lolita was no longer his anymore. She did not want him and he had to accept this fact. It is out of his love and adoration for Lolita that Humbert chose to help Lolita by giving her money so she could continue living with her husband. Even though it pained him, Humbert had to let Lolita go because it was what she wanted. He cared for her so much that he knew even though it was not in his interest; he had to let her live her own life the way she wanted to live it.
In the Forward section of the book, it is stated that Humbert Humbert had died of coronary thrombosis a few days before his trial while he was in legal captivity. Coronary thrombosis is also known as a heart attack. It is also stated in the Forward that Lolita, or Mrs. Richard F. Schiller, had dies only shortly prior to Humbert's death while in childbirth. It could be concluded that Humbert's heart attack was not brought upon by natural causes but by a broken heart. Humbert loved Lolita so deeply that losing her put him into shock. At that point his own body could not go on and completely shut down, causing the heart attack that killed him. Through this thought it can be proven that "Lolita" is "the only convincing love story of our century" because of the deep love Humbert had for Lolita. He cared for her, let her go and ultimately dies because he could not bear losing her. All of this proves his immense love for for her.
Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita proves to be the greatest love story of our time; protagonist Humbert Humbert loves Lolita over the most unconventional circumstances, but that does not prevent him from expressing his love to her. HH is a middle-aged man who is in his late thirties or early forties. However, he is attracted to girls that he calls nymphets. These girls range from the ages of nine to fourteen. In society, people view this attraction as wrong and disturbing.
Despite HH’s odd attraction, he manages to show readers that his story is truly one of love. Many may see HH as a man who only lusts for the physical beauty of nymphets. But, HH proves them wrong. He acknowledges that his attraction for nymphets make him a “monster.” HH falls in love with Lolita because she is different from the other nymphets. She has a distinct personality that separates her from the others; she is a rebel. After Lolita’s mother dies, HH takes Lolita on a drive across the country. HH seems to be possessive, but he shows qualities that prove his love. He tries to get to know Lolita’s likes and dislikes, and he cares about her learning how to play tennis and doing fun activities.
Lolita eventually gets tired of her time with HH, but HH never stops loving her. Even when she reaches the age of fifteen, he still loves her. HH thought he would not love her when she was older, but he never stopped. He looked for Clarence, the man who Lolita ran away with, and he learned of Clarence’s attempt to make Lolita do a child pornography film. Showing how much he loves her, HH avenges Lolita by killing Clarence. He tells Clarence that because he took advantage of his Lolita, he will kill him. That is exactly what HH does, and his actions prove that Lolita is the greatest love story of our time. Despite the sneers from society, HH loved Lolita until the end of his life in prison.
The love between Lolita and Humbert Humbert makes “Lolita” the most convincing love story of our time. Humbert’s genuine compassion and chase makes this a true love story. Although Lolita may not completely be in love with HH as he is with her, so that would make it an unrequited love story, but a love story nonetheless.
Let’s take a moment to take out age and switch up the story. Let us go so far as to say Humbert Humbert and Lolita are the same age, but all other aspects of the story are the same. Is the story less creepy? Yes. Is Humbert a pedophile? No. Is it any less of a love story? No. No matter what the age of our characters are, the love HH has for Lolita—if taken out of context and studied solely on the relationship—is still love. It would be the same just a lot less creepy for people to read. Granted there wouldn’t really be such a controversial story. But age is the reason people cannot see it for the love story that it is. Humbert’s love is genuine. With all that she puts him through I believe he loves her. She denies him, taunts him, disrespects him and yet he chases the same. He loves her even when she leaves him. He loves her even when she gets married. He loves her even though she’s rude and vulgar. His love is put through tests beyond belief by Lolita, but he never falters.
“Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul.” These opening lines set the stage for me. Every relationship has many sides to it. There must be passion, sex, understanding, meaning and being to every loving relationship. That is definitely what Humbert Humbert has for Lolita. He calls her his soul. Anyone that a person can define as a piece of their soul is a true sign of love. When someone encompasses one’s soul they are a big part of their life. They believe in that person. Lolita gives HH life. Lolita is the light of his life. Any other examples that people us as lights in their lives are heroes, God, someone they love, someone who made a difference. Lolita is that for Humbert. She gives him meaning. Before he met Lolita his life was dull and he ran around with prostitutes with no set direction. She gave him direction and a purpose. She was his light. And like I said relationships need passion and sex and Lolita fills that as well, obviously.Also to end the story as Nabokov does ties the story all together and makes the reader a true believer in Humbert’s love. "And this is the only immortality you and I may share, my Lolita.” He, even after all she put him through, still loves her. Even though she is absent from his life, he cherishes her and holds her close to his heart. He loves Lolita without a doubt
It can be concluded that “Lolita” is not a conventional love story and for that reason it is considered the greatest love story of our time. Lolita does not offer a generic, sappy plot about love; instead, it depicts a relationship that is anything but simple and easy. In reality true love is met with tribulations, it is never perfect. The novel does not try to mask Humbert’s and Lolita’s love with any sappy details to distract the reader from what is really going on between them. In a majority of love stories love consists of only romance and exchanges of affirmations, rarely does the audience see the hardships that lie beyond the surface. In Lolita, Humbert is constantly struggling to please his love while satisfying his needs as well. This is generally an important concept when one is in a relationship. (One that is not always shown to the reader.) The reader is shown Humbert’s serious love for Lolita when she marries her mother for the sole purpose of becoming close to her. Humbert fears his love will become bored of him so he provides Lolita with various activities in hopes of keeping her content; he strives to entertain her with tennis, swimming and piano. This proves that he fought to keep Lolita’s interest in fear of losing her.
By the conclusion of the story Lolita and Humbert are not married living happily ever after. When one thinks of a love story it is commonly assumed that the couple will be together in the end despite hardships. In reality no matter how much love people have between each other it does not mean they necessarily belong together. In Lolita, Humbert is left longing for Lolita after she has moved on. This shows Humbert’s undying devotion for Lolita even if it is not reciprocated. Humbert makes a vow to Lolita, “I want to protect you, dear, from all the horrors that happen to little girls in coal sheds and alley ways… through thick and thin I will stay your guardian” (150). Even if they are no longer lovers he wishes to have at least a paternal relationship with Lolita.
Lolita propels the reader to reflect on the question of what criteria must a love story meet? The story initially destroys expectations when the reader learns that middle-aged Humbert is in love with a twelve year old who is also his step-daughter. The fact that Lolita consents to Humbert’s advances and participates in flirting surprises the reader further. When you consider Lolita’s and Humbert’s relationship it does not make it any less of a love story.
In the story of Lolita, true love occurs. However, the love that is apparent is one sided. Humbert Humbert loves Lolita, but Lolita does not love him back. Humbert Humbert’s love begins with observations about Lolita through “a pocket diary” (Nabokov 40). As with all relationships, it began with physical attraction. HH admired Lolita’s clothes and every move she made, “She wore a plaid shirt, blue jeans and sneakers. Every movement she made in the dappled sun plucked at the most secret and sensitive cord of my abject body” (Nabokov 41). In the beginning Lolita encouraged HH’s feelings by teasing him. Through all the attention Lolita given HH he convinces himself that she loves him back. Once HH in convinced there is real love between Lolita and he, HH develops legitimate love for Lolita. HH loves Lolita enough to try to keep her happy. HH tries not to tell Lolita about her mother’s death and come up with a cover story so she will be happier, he told Lolita “…her mother was about to undergo a major operation at an invented hospital…” (Nabokov106). HH tried to keep Lolita in a happy state even though nothing that happens to Lolita is happy.
Even after Lolita left HH, he still felt love for her. HH tried filling the hole in his heart with another, but it was not the same. HH drove around with Rita for two years but still longed for Lolita. Lolita is no longer a “nymphet” and has no child-like qualities but HH still loves her. At the age of seventeen and pregnant HH is still willing to take Lolita back to live and travel with him. After being rejected, HH went out and avenged Lolita by killing Clare Quilty, “I want to stress the fact that I was responsible for every shed drop of his bubbleblood…” (Nabokov 304). The love may have not been mutual but it was evident. HH developed real love for Lolita while Lolita may have loved him in a more fatherly way. It is not the type of love HH wanted from Lolita but it is still a form of love.
“Lolita” is considered the “greatest love story of our time”, because it shows the true love of one person. Although this mature novel may not have ones conventional love story, a story of two people who love each other, it does not mean there is no love story. “Lolita” is love story because Humbert Humbert shows deep emotion for one girl throughout the entire novel.
In the beginning of the novel Humbert Humber is presented as a man with an obsession to young girls. Humbert Humbert was easily distracted whenever a young girl was seen somewhere in the distance, but as soon as Lolita is introduced all the other girls he seems to point out disappear, his focus is all directed towards Lolita. Lolita becomes Humbert Humbert’s main focus; all he wants is a chance to understand this young girl. If one were to ignore the major age difference, the situation would not seem as inappropriate. He is simply a man that saw a girl he was attracted to and wanted a chance to be with her. Humbert Humbert never forced himself on Lolita, he would admire her from a distance and imagine what his life with her could be like, but never was it forced. Humbert Humbert had a crush. A crush is how any other love story would start, and Humbert Humbert’s crush for Lolita instantly made this novel a love story.
The novel continues to be a great love story as Humbert Humbert proves his love towards Lolita again and again. Love involves sacrifice and no man showed more sacrifice than Humbert Humbert. Humbert Humbert gave up his entire life to care for Lolita. When Lolita’s mother dies Humbert Humbert took the role as father, in order to stay close to the woman he loves. He could have had his way with Lolita and been on his way but because Humbert Humbert loved her he was not about to send her off to some orphanage with no one to care for her. Humbert Humbert gave up his life for this one girl. Even at the end of the novel, Lolita leaves Humbert Humbert but he never stopped loving her. One would think that after being stuck with her for a year that he would be grateful that Lolita was gone, but he is in fact heart broken. Humbert Humbert searched everywhere for his Lolita. Humbert Humbert never stopped loving Lolita even when she did not want him anymore. He would do anything for this young girl, even if that meant he could not be with her because she did not love him, proving Humbert Humbert’s story to be a the greatest love story of our time.
Humbert Humbert’s never ending love for Lolita is what makes this novel the “greatest love story of our time”. The story of a man that gained a crush on a young girl, sacrificed his life for her, and never stopped loving her is the ultimate love story. Lolita never loved Humbert Humbert, but he loved her and it is that unreturned loved that make this a love story. Even though he knew it would never be returned, he continued to love Lolita. Even if she never loved him back he would do anything for her. A man that would do anything for the one he loves, even if that one does not love him back, makes this novel a love story, the greatest love story.
“Love” is known for being non-discriminating and having no limits; that is why it is conceivable to say that Vladimir Nobokov’s novel, Lolita, is the “greatest love story of our time.” Lolita is considered one of the most controversial, yet greatest pieces of literature ever created. While reading the book, one needs to keep an open mind to fully understand the relationship between Humbert Humbert and Lolita. Humbert Humbert, a sophisticated and charming middle-aged man falls in love with Lolita, a twelve year old girl. The relationship between them started off motivated by lust, but it evolved into something more; it evolved into love. When the reader is first introduced to this unusual relationship, one can feel disgusted and even disturbed, but as one keeps reading the story, it is obvious that Humbert was not only motivated by lust, but also by love. As the story progressed, so did their relationship. The relationship became complicated due to Charlotte Hayes’ death, making Humbert the official guardian of Lolita; regardless, their affair continued. Their affair started to affect Humbert, he would question himself if he still wanted to lust after Lolita, or actually be a parent to her. “I want to protect you, dear, from all the horrors that happen to little girls in coal sheds and alley ways… through thick and thin I will stay your guardian” (Nabokov 150). Needless to say, these moments he had were very brief, but it shows that he was always concerned of what was best for her. He could never give her what she truly deserved for he was too weak when it came to the temptation of a “nymph.” What makes this novel the “greatest love story of our time” is that it is strangely relatable. It is obvious that Lolita never truly loved Humbert, but he was head over heels for her. Our society is used to “love stories” about a typical boy-girl relationship with the mutual feeling of love. What you see on the movie screen or story books are usually fiction. Love can be the greatest feeling one can ever experience, or it can be the most tragic, haunting obsession. When I read this story, it reminded me of a “crush;” one can fall in love with someone, but it does not mean that they will be loved back. Lolita treated Humbert like garbage, but he still loved her-no matter what.
“True love” is a lot of things; apparently one of these things is Lolita. Lolita has been dubbed, “The only convincing love story of our time.” That’s quite the reputation to live up to. While I don’t think Lolita and Humbert Humbert trump Belle and Beast, I can rationalize why others may think contrary.
Such a reason Lolita is a convincing love story is Nabakov’s presentation of the entire taboo. With lusty love as the premise of his story, trusty narrator Humbert Humbert unleashes lines such as, “Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul… the tip of the tongue taking a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the teeth”(Nobakov 9). This alliterative sentence structure allows Humbert Humbert to molest and fiddle with the reader’s mouth and tongue, similar in manner to Humbert Humbert inside his own Lolita’s mouth. HH’s seductive prose is only furthered by his eloquence in French. While much of the text exploits the sexuality of pubescent girls(underdeveloped breasts, slightly developed pubic hair, etc.), HH’s mastery of smooth, sexually arousing story telling makes Lolita the most frisky book of pedophilic confessions in print. Humbert spews his soul into his words and it is fantastically pleasurable.
Lolita also follows an unprecedented formula. An important element in Lolita’s “convincing love story” equation is HH’s 3-dimensionality. HH has a complicated past. He shows desire, lust. HH shows remorse. Nobakov crafts HH into the image of a self righteous, fully human hero rapist. Humbert is not just an abominable pedophile; he is a pedophile with feelings and conviction. He is both futile and believable. Furthermore, Lolita herself adds to the convincing love story aura of the book. Lolita’s unexpected sexuality emphatically complements HH’s conservative nature. She is literally a preteen who lives to perform sexual favors and is ironically on the perpetual hunt for meat in her mouth. A detestable slut, if you will. But the unprecedented relationship between child and man, daughter and father, succubus and pedophile is just taboo enough to work. Throw in Lolita’s concubine intentions(with another pedophile go figure!) for Qulity, her eventual marriage and pregnancy to Dick, and HH’s amateur snuff work with a gun named “Chum”, and a unique and brutal story comes together.
So, to wrap things up: Devilish and Handsome Pedophile + Horny Pubescent Succubus + Ecstatic Coitus and Its Derivatives + Edgar Allen Poe + Second, But Unattractive Pedophile, Child Porno Mogul + Dick + Dick Schiller + Retributive Justice = the most convincing (and disturbingly playful) love story of our time.
Lolita is a story of true and unconditional love. If one were to view the story without considering the age difference between Humbert Humbert and Lolita, they would understand why it is the greatest love story of our time. Like most love stories, there are two people who wish to be together. There are obstacles that interfere with their desires for one another such as Charlotte, Clarence Quilty, and Dick Schiller. The factor that separates this love story from most however is Nabakov’s convincing writing style. While reading the novel, I had to remind myself that it was a work of fiction. The plot of Lolita causes readers to sympathize with and practically feel Humbert Humbert’s pain. Unlike most love stories, the two lovers do not remain together through the end of the novel. It tells of unrequited love, something that most readers can relate more to than the romantic, larger than life Nicholas Sparks stories. Lolita does not only cover heartbreak. It expresses the true pain of unconditional love. Humbert Humbert’s desire for Lolita is made clear to the reader from the beginning of the novel. “Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin my soul” (Nabakov 9). Although HH’s claims of love may strike the reader as simply the lustful desires of an old pedophile, his dedication to Lolita is shown throughout the novel. His main focus during their road trip is to make Lolita happy. He buys her new clothes and material items in attempts to buy her affection. Rather than spend his money on a young prostitute as he used to, he chooses to work to win over Lolita. Later in the novel, when Lolita asks Humbert Humbert for money for her new family, he begs her to return to him. She responds “no” with a smile, but he gives her the money anyway. Although Lolita only thinks of him as a father, HH’s unconditional love for Lolita is still clear. Without receiving anything in return, Humbert gives Lolita $4,000 because he is still working to make her happy. This, in my opinion, is the example of a true love story.
To persuade someone that a novel about a pedophile and his prey is the only convincing love story, proves difficult and impossible. But Vladimir Nabokov’s portrayal of Humbert Humbert as a distraught man lost in his childhood youth, searching for his lost lover, provokes a sense of remorse and understanding for the damaged creature. Humbert Humbert emotions for Lolita stemmed from his true love he had for his deceased childhood lover; as a result, one is able to infer that his emotions are from true love, not lust from his pedophilic nature.
Due to his demented childhood, tormented with unsatisfied adult and vulgar fantasies, Humbert Humbert was never able to grow away from his desires for young girls into his adult life. But because Humbert is stuck in a child’s mind for love, his feelings about Lolita are true. When he first met her, he was struck by her beauty, compelled by her behavior and memorized by her presence. Before, he has met many nymphets, stalking them out in the parks. But he fell for Lolita and her close comparison to his past love.
Many may argue that Humbert is simply lusting out after the small child, and his flirtatious behavior. But when she leaves him for another man, one seems Humber morn for the second time about losing his love. The first time he was a child, young and lost in the disillusion that this could have happened to him. The second time seemed unreal. Humbert was devastated that his little nymphet was no longer with him, spending their days together talking and making love. If the age was only a number, no one would deny the affection between Lolita and Humbert, but the age brings in controversy and questions. Humbert did not care for the age; in the end, he continued to fight for her and her love, never accepting that what they had was over.
Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita is the only convincing love story of our century because of Humbert Humbert’s undying love for Lolita. Ever since he first saw Lolita, Humbert was entranced. He described her as forbidden fruit, acknowledging that his desire for her is wrong and their love is prohibited. But, as all great love stories do, Humbert and Lolita find a way to get together. They triumph over their social obstacles in order to fall in love with each other. Even as their relationship begins to falter, Humbert never gives up his feelings for Lolita. Humbert willingly sacrifices everything for Lolita; wanting nothing in return but her happiness. Humbert murders Quilty in a selfless act to save Lolita. After being arrested for murder and while facing prosecution, Humbert’s only thoughts were of Lolita’s future. He supplies Lolita with advice for life such as, “Do not let other fellows touch you…That husband of yours, I hope, will always treat you well” (pg. 309). This level of devotion and compassion for one person is what defines Lolita as the greatest love story of the century. Lolita is a great love story because it tells the tale of one man’s unconditional love. Near the story’s close, when Humbert finally reconnects with Lolita, Humbert must deal with the ultimate loss. Lolita no longer loves him as anything more than a father-figure. Although Humbert is clearly depressed about this, he does not show it. He accepts that Lolita is happier with Dick and resolves to leave her be, for the sole purpose of keeping her happy. Humbert was willing to sacrifice his own happiness in order for Lolita to live happily ever after. When Lolita informed Humbert that Clarence Quilty had the power to make her leaver her new growing family, Humbert knew he must save Lolita from herself. In a completely selfless act, Humbert sets out to find Quilty and ensure he never interferes with Lolita’s happiness again. Humbert knew, while tracking down Quilty, that his actions would not bring Lolita to love him again. He was set on his course, not to win her back, but to protect her, “I want to protect you, dear, from all the horrors that happen to little girls in coal sheds and alley ways… through thick and thin I will stay your guardian” (150). This selflessness is what is attributed to Lolita’s title of greatest love story of all time. After killing Quilty, Humbert took responsibility for his actions. He did not try to hide his crime, but instead announced it to the room, proud that he was once again able to save Lolita. He sacrifices his freedom for Lolita’s happiness and never holds a single regret. Anyone who reads Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita is able to understand why it is given the title only convincing love story of our century. When hearing about the story of a man who falls in love with his step-daughter and continues a sexual relationship with her after her mother’s death, one can easily and understandably become disgusted with the book. Of all the adjectives this plot could be assigned, no one would ever assume ‘love’ story to be a fit. However, Nabokov is able to present the character of Humbert Humbert in such a compassionate way that the reader begins to understand his true love for Lolita. By understanding his train of thought and mental psyche throughout the story, the reader is able to call Humbert’s feelings for Lolita, ‘love
Many people are surprised to hear that Lolita is known as “the most convincing love story of our century.” Lolita is a convincing love story, because it gives delicate intimacy and sweetness to a relationship that could be deemed as inappropriate and wrong. However, through Humbert’s feelings toward Lolita and his total respect and kindness shown towards her, this lustful relationship can be accepted as love. The fact Humbert and Lolita’s relationship is forbidden and kept secret makes this novel romantic. They are not supposed to be together, according to the law and to almost everyone’s moral standards, yet they dangerously pursue their relationship. One factor that might change audiences’ attitudes toward the relationship is the gap in their age. After reading the novel, it is difficult to call Humbert a pedophile, because Lolita is completely willing to love and make love to him. Although it is statutory rape, I do not consider it rape because she desires sex as much as Humbert does. Humbert has an undying love for Lolita. Humbert is exclusively attracted to “nymphets” (pre-adolescent girls from ages 8-14). Though many may predict him to leave Lolita when she became too old for him, he continued to love her unconditionally after she became past her adolescent stage. This shows it was not just lust, but real love. He longed for her terribly when she was gone, and no other woman could compare to Lolita. His love was everlasting and true. Humbert states, “This Lolita, pale and polluted, and big with another’s child, but …still mine” (Nabokov 278). If their relationship was pure lust and based only on sex, Humbert would have stopped caring about Lolita when she lost her infantile beauty, her sultry sun-tanned skin, and her attractive figure. Even though she was not faithful to him, he swallowed his pride because of the intensity of his love, and continued loving her regardless of how poorly she treated him. He purposefully describes the character of Lolita as unattractive in this chapter, to prove Humbert is not only in love with her physical appearance.
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ReplyDeleteWhat I continuously thought about as I read Lolita was that if Humbert Humbert was to have been born at a different time, this story would have no problems. Humbert was about forty when Lolita left him to go with Quilty, correct? And I believe Lolita was fourteen? Had Humbert been born twenty-five, or even just twenty years after he actually was born, there would be almost no problem with the story. Had Humbert been between fifteen and twenty – closer to Lolita’s age – the story would be a lot more comfortable. If Humbert were younger, however, this story wouldn’t exist at all and It would just be another cliché love story. Instead, Lolita is a scandalous story of lust turned love over time as Humbert travels with his “child bride” across the country.
ReplyDeleteAdmittedly this story is rather disturbing, sick and emotionally confusing. While I myself believe that Humbert’s love for Lolita was in the beginning a dark sort of desire for an innocent child (driven, of course, by his original young love, Annabel Leigh at the princedom by the sea), in order to play out his past fantasies of being with Annabel, I found, especially toward the end of the story, a certain genuine nature in Humbert’s words. I also believe that he loves Lolita because in the end she is seventeen and he still loves her. A pedophile is someone who, by definition is someone attracted to a child under the age of fourteen. This being said, his love for her could not have been a mere physical one. Also, she is married and pregnant with the child of another man’s child, and only came into contact with him due to financial need, and yet still he begs her to join him and live with him, saying “some day, any day, that you will not come and live with me? I will create a brand new God and thank him with piercing cries, if you will give me that microscopic hope.” And then, even when she rejects his offers and denies him the hope, he still gives her four thousand dollars, even though she’d only asked for four hundred.
Then in the end Humbert goes and kills Quilty, saying that he was Lolita’s “father.” As wrong and sick as it may seem, I think that deep down Humbert felt two kind of loves for Lolita: there was the sinful and lustful desire for her young body that he knew was wrong, and there was a strange type of familial love. Humbert was protective and caring toward Lolita.He never did anything to intentionally harm her (at least not in the way that Quilty would have) and was disgusted with what Quilty wanted to do. And when Quilty took his Lolita away, Humbert destroyed him.
Despite the story being corrupt and wrong, I think that somewhere hidden in under the lust and misery of Lolita and Humbert’s lives together, there was an honest feeling love. At least on Humbert’s part.
"Lolita" is a love story about love itself. Questioning HH and Lolita's relationship is futile. Lolita has little to no romantic feelings for HH. She cries every night and runs away from him. No, the main focus is on Humbert Humbert. To properly answer this question, I focus on Humbert and his relationship with love itself.
ReplyDeleteIn retrospect, the novel is an unparalleled portrait of real love. It is considered to be the greatest because it does what most other works of fiction doesn't. "Lolita" lets love truly triumph over everything. It delves into every dark corner of this mysterious noun in a way that nothing ever has before. Sure, plenty of movies say that love conquers all. "Lolita" takes that sentiment to the extreme by studying the absolute, unlimited power of love. HH is the test subject. He is in love with Lolita. Initially, his reasons are purely lust. He may romanticize every inch of her body, but he ultimately wants to be inside her. As their relationship continues, his love morphs into something beyond carnal knowledge. He starts to care for her. HH has good intentions when he tries to change her. He wants her to be cultured and have hobbies for her sake and for the sake of their relationship. When Lolita leaves HH's captivity, he tracks down her abductor and kills him years after Lolita's departure.
If the relationship seems one sided, that's because it is. Lolita contributes nothing. HH's one-sided, yet unrelenting affection is the highest extent of love. Love is an emotion, not a science. There is no checklist of adjectives or a minimum requirement that HH could put on Lolita (or any person on someone else) that equates to love. Every other work of fiction depicts it as a working progress based off of the similarities against the differences. "Lolita" denies that. Instead, HH loves Lolita just because. Pre-pubescent girls aren't the paragon of beauty but HH finds Lolita gorgeous because that's what love does. Love is illogical. HH killed a man and went to jail for his love, even though she rejected him. That is unexplainable because love is unexplainable. Love corrupts. Love is horrible, like fire and ice and rage. Love is indestructible beyond reason, ancient and forever as time and the universe. But love is wonderful, directly proportionally to happiness. This is the portrait of love that only "Lolita" has accomplished. Love transcends age, gender, religion, culture, laws, limits, reason and control. Love is powerful and therefore dangerous but people go through it because they "need the eggs".
The last paragraph of "Lolita", in addition to being one of the most romantic things I've ever read, summarizes the novel's dark and twisted love letter to love. After a year of hell with Lolita, after forcing himself to kill a man, after realizing that his true love doesn't love him, HH maintains his love because that's what true love is. Humbert Humbert wrote "Lolita" for 2 reasons. 1) So that people in 2012 can see what true love is, for good or for bad 2) So he can talk to Lolita for generations after they're dead. "And this is the only immortality you and I may share, my Lolita"
In the story "Lolita," Humbert Humbert is in love with love. HH's original attraction to Lolita stemmed from his longing of his childhood love, Annabel. HH is in love with the love he felt as a kid, and wants to recreate that with Lolita. I think that Humbert is completely devoted to Lolita because he sees her as a second Annabel, and that's why he has so much affection for Lolita. It is impossible to say that HH and Lolita are in love, because she never does reciprocate his emotions.
ReplyDeleteHumbert Humbert is jealous and possessive because of his intense affection for Lolita. When enrolled in school, he forbids her to be involved in extra-curriculars or fraternize with boys. Instead of HH enticing Lolita to be in a relationship with him, his forbiddance only drives her away. HH thinks that ultimately keeping her away from being with other men will make her love Humbert, which it does not. His behavior forces her to stray, which she knows he doesn't want. While Humbert Humbert becomes increasingly manipulative, Lolita does as well because she knows he would actually kill to be with her. The power of love that HH is under forces him to forget all reason and eventually murder Clare Quilty for "abducting" Lolita two years prior.
After reading "Lolita", one can see that it truly is the "only convincing love story of our century." The character of Humbert within "Lolita" shows that even though his love for Lolita is not returned, it was true and innocent. Although it may seem odd that Humbert's love was innocent seeing as he was near forty and Lolita was twelve, he proved throughout the book that he was a hopeless romantic. Lolita shows that not all love stories have to end with people ending up together. The simplicity of Humbert's love of Lolita from the beginning to the end of his story was obvious; making it one of the saddest love stories in history.
ReplyDeleteHumbert truly loved Lolita. This fact made it possible for the book to be considered a love story. While at first Humbert seemed only to lust after Lolita, the audience can see later that it was actually love at first sight. Humbert thought Lolita was perfect in the way that she looked. When Humbert first mentioned his first sight of Lolita, he said, "All I know is that while the Haze woman and I went down the steps into the breathless garden, my knees were like reflections of knees in rippling water, and my lips were like sand, and---." He found her breathtakingly beautiful. He found her attractive but in a way he was drawn to her not only for her physical appearance but for a want to know more about her. She was different. As he began to see Lolita for who she really was, a young brat of a girl, he continued to adore her. He found her attitude charming. This shows that he chose to look past her faults and accept her for who she was. He loved her and the audience could finally see that he had fallen in love with her. Humbert admired Lolita's beauty and personality.
As the book progressed, Humbert continued to love Lolita even though she grew more distant from him. He got jealous of other men when they were near her. He even took her out of school so she had to pay more attention to him. He was desperate for her to love him back as he loved her. At the end of the book, Humbert's love for Lolita drove him to murder Clarence Quincy. He could not stand Lolita loving another man. At the same time, Humbert could not kill Lolita's husband, although he wanted to at first. He realized that Lolita was no longer his anymore. She did not want him and he had to accept this fact. It is out of his love and adoration for Lolita that Humbert chose to help Lolita by giving her money so she could continue living with her husband. Even though it pained him, Humbert had to let Lolita go because it was what she wanted. He cared for her so much that he knew even though it was not in his interest; he had to let her live her own life the way she wanted to live it.
In the Forward section of the book, it is stated that Humbert Humbert had died of coronary thrombosis a few days before his trial while he was in legal captivity. Coronary thrombosis is also known as a heart attack. It is also stated in the Forward that Lolita, or Mrs. Richard F. Schiller, had dies only shortly prior to Humbert's death while in childbirth. It could be concluded that Humbert's heart attack was not brought upon by natural causes but by a broken heart. Humbert loved Lolita so deeply that losing her put him into shock. At that point his own body could not go on and completely shut down, causing the heart attack that killed him. Through this thought it can be proven that "Lolita" is "the only convincing love story of our century" because of the deep love Humbert had for Lolita. He cared for her, let her go and ultimately dies because he could not bear losing her. All of this proves his immense love for for her.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteVladimir Nabokov’s Lolita proves to be the greatest love story of our time; protagonist Humbert Humbert loves Lolita over the most unconventional circumstances, but that does not prevent him from expressing his love to her. HH is a middle-aged man who is in his late thirties or early forties. However, he is attracted to girls that he calls nymphets. These girls range from the ages of nine to fourteen. In society, people view this attraction as wrong and disturbing.
ReplyDeleteDespite HH’s odd attraction, he manages to show readers that his story is truly one of love. Many may see HH as a man who only lusts for the physical beauty of nymphets. But, HH proves them wrong. He acknowledges that his attraction for nymphets make him a “monster.” HH falls in love with Lolita because she is different from the other nymphets. She has a distinct personality that separates her from the others; she is a rebel. After Lolita’s mother dies, HH takes Lolita on a drive across the country. HH seems to be possessive, but he shows qualities that prove his love. He tries to get to know Lolita’s likes and dislikes, and he cares about her learning how to play tennis and doing fun activities.
Lolita eventually gets tired of her time with HH, but HH never stops loving her. Even when she reaches the age of fifteen, he still loves her. HH thought he would not love her when she was older, but he never stopped. He looked for Clarence, the man who Lolita ran away with, and he learned of Clarence’s attempt to make Lolita do a child pornography film. Showing how much he loves her, HH avenges Lolita by killing Clarence. He tells Clarence that because he took advantage of his Lolita, he will kill him. That is exactly what HH does, and his actions prove that Lolita is the greatest love story of our time. Despite the sneers from society, HH loved Lolita until the end of his life in prison.
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ReplyDeleteThe love between Lolita and Humbert Humbert makes “Lolita” the most convincing love story of our time. Humbert’s genuine compassion and chase makes this a true love story. Although Lolita may not completely be in love with HH as he is with her, so that would make it an unrequited love story, but a love story nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteLet’s take a moment to take out age and switch up the story. Let us go so far as to say Humbert Humbert and Lolita are the same age, but all other aspects of the story are the same. Is the story less creepy? Yes. Is Humbert a pedophile? No. Is it any less of a love story? No. No matter what the age of our characters are, the love HH has for Lolita—if taken out of context and studied solely on the relationship—is still love. It would be the same just a lot less creepy for people to read. Granted there wouldn’t really be such a controversial story. But age is the reason people cannot see it for the love story that it is. Humbert’s love is genuine. With all that she puts him through I believe he loves her. She denies him, taunts him, disrespects him and yet he chases the same. He loves her even when she leaves him. He loves her even when she gets married. He loves her even though she’s rude and vulgar. His love is put through tests beyond belief by Lolita, but he never falters.
“Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul.” These opening lines set the stage for me. Every relationship has many sides to it. There must be passion, sex, understanding, meaning and being to every loving relationship. That is definitely what Humbert Humbert has for Lolita. He calls her his soul. Anyone that a person can define as a piece of their soul is a true sign of love. When someone encompasses one’s soul they are a big part of their life. They believe in that person. Lolita gives HH life. Lolita is the light of his life. Any other examples that people us as lights in their lives are heroes, God, someone they love, someone who made a difference. Lolita is that for Humbert. She gives him meaning. Before he met Lolita his life was dull and he ran around with prostitutes with no set direction. She gave him direction and a purpose. She was his light. And like I said relationships need passion and sex and Lolita fills that as well, obviously.Also to end the story as Nabokov does ties the story all together and makes the reader a true believer in Humbert’s love. "And this is the only immortality you and I may share, my Lolita.” He, even after all she put him through, still loves her. Even though she is absent from his life, he cherishes her and holds her close to his heart. He loves Lolita without a doubt
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ReplyDeleteIt can be concluded that “Lolita” is not a conventional love story and for that reason it is considered the greatest love story of our time. Lolita does not offer a generic, sappy plot about love; instead, it depicts a relationship that is anything but simple and easy. In reality true love is met with tribulations, it is never perfect. The novel does not try to mask Humbert’s and Lolita’s love with any sappy details to distract the reader from what is really going on between them. In a majority of love stories love consists of only romance and exchanges of affirmations, rarely does the audience see the hardships that lie beyond the surface. In Lolita, Humbert is constantly struggling to please his love while satisfying his needs as well. This is generally an important concept when one is in a relationship. (One that is not always shown to the reader.) The reader is shown Humbert’s serious love for Lolita when she marries her mother for the sole purpose of becoming close to her. Humbert fears his love will become bored of him so he provides Lolita with various activities in hopes of keeping her content; he strives to entertain her with tennis, swimming and piano. This proves that he fought to keep Lolita’s interest in fear of losing her.
ReplyDeleteBy the conclusion of the story Lolita and Humbert are not married living happily ever after. When one thinks of a love story it is commonly assumed that the couple will be together in the end despite hardships. In reality no matter how much love people have between each other it does not mean they necessarily belong together. In Lolita, Humbert is left longing for Lolita after she has moved on. This shows Humbert’s undying devotion for Lolita even if it is not reciprocated. Humbert makes a vow to Lolita, “I want to protect you, dear, from all the horrors that happen to little girls in coal sheds and alley ways… through thick and thin I will stay your guardian” (150). Even if they are no longer lovers he wishes to have at least a paternal relationship with Lolita.
Lolita propels the reader to reflect on the question of what criteria must a love story meet? The story initially destroys expectations when the reader learns that middle-aged Humbert is in love with a twelve year old who is also his step-daughter. The fact that Lolita consents to Humbert’s advances and participates in flirting surprises the reader further. When you consider Lolita’s and Humbert’s relationship it does not make it any less of a love story.
In the story of Lolita, true love occurs. However, the love that is apparent is one sided. Humbert Humbert loves Lolita, but Lolita does not love him back. Humbert Humbert’s love begins with observations about Lolita through “a pocket diary” (Nabokov 40). As with all relationships, it began with physical attraction. HH admired Lolita’s clothes and every move she made, “She wore a plaid shirt, blue jeans and sneakers. Every movement she made in the dappled sun plucked at the most secret and sensitive cord of my abject body” (Nabokov 41). In the beginning Lolita encouraged HH’s feelings by teasing him. Through all the attention Lolita given HH he convinces himself that she loves him back. Once HH in convinced there is real love between Lolita and he, HH develops legitimate love for Lolita. HH loves Lolita enough to try to keep her happy. HH tries not to tell Lolita about her mother’s death and come up with a cover story so she will be happier, he told Lolita “…her mother was about to undergo a major operation at an invented hospital…” (Nabokov106). HH tried to keep Lolita in a happy state even though nothing that happens to Lolita is happy.
ReplyDeleteEven after Lolita left HH, he still felt love for her. HH tried filling the hole in his heart with another, but it was not the same. HH drove around with Rita for two years but still longed for Lolita. Lolita is no longer a “nymphet” and has no child-like qualities but HH still loves her. At the age of seventeen and pregnant HH is still willing to take Lolita back to live and travel with him. After being rejected, HH went out and avenged Lolita by killing Clare Quilty, “I want to stress the fact that I was responsible for every shed drop of his bubbleblood…” (Nabokov 304). The love may have not been mutual but it was evident. HH developed real love for Lolita while Lolita may have loved him in a more fatherly way. It is not the type of love HH wanted from
Lolita but it is still a form of love.
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ReplyDelete“Lolita” is considered the “greatest love story of our time”, because it shows the true love of one person. Although this mature novel may not have ones conventional love story, a story of two people who love each other, it does not mean there is no love story. “Lolita” is love story because Humbert Humbert shows deep emotion for one girl throughout the entire novel.
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning of the novel Humbert Humber is presented as a man with an obsession to young girls. Humbert Humbert was easily distracted whenever a young girl was seen somewhere in the distance, but as soon as Lolita is introduced all the other girls he seems to point out disappear, his focus is all directed towards Lolita. Lolita becomes Humbert Humbert’s main focus; all he wants is a chance to understand this young girl. If one were to ignore the major age difference, the situation would not seem as inappropriate. He is simply a man that saw a girl he was attracted to and wanted a chance to be with her. Humbert Humbert never forced himself on Lolita, he would admire her from a distance and imagine what his life with her could be like, but never was it forced. Humbert Humbert had a crush. A crush is how any other love story would start, and Humbert Humbert’s crush for Lolita instantly made this novel a love story.
The novel continues to be a great love story as Humbert Humbert proves his love towards Lolita again and again. Love involves sacrifice and no man showed more sacrifice than Humbert Humbert. Humbert Humbert gave up his entire life to care for Lolita. When Lolita’s mother dies Humbert Humbert took the role as father, in order to stay close to the woman he loves. He could have had his way with Lolita and been on his way but because Humbert Humbert loved her he was not about to send her off to some orphanage with no one to care for her. Humbert Humbert gave up his life for this one girl. Even at the end of the novel, Lolita leaves Humbert Humbert but he never stopped loving her. One would think that after being stuck with her for a year that he would be grateful that Lolita was gone, but he is in fact heart broken. Humbert Humbert searched everywhere for his Lolita. Humbert Humbert never stopped loving Lolita even when she did not want him anymore. He would do anything for this young girl, even if that meant he could not be with her because she did not love him, proving Humbert Humbert’s story to be a the greatest love story of our time.
Humbert Humbert’s never ending love for Lolita is what makes this novel the “greatest love story of our time”. The story of a man that gained a crush on a young girl, sacrificed his life for her, and never stopped loving her is the ultimate love story. Lolita never loved Humbert Humbert, but he loved her and it is that unreturned loved that make this a love story. Even though he knew it would never be returned, he continued to love Lolita. Even if she never loved him back he would do anything for her. A man that would do anything for the one he loves, even if that one does not love him back, makes this novel a love story, the greatest love story.
Lolita is the most convincing story of our time because it has the ambiguity and thrill that is found in love. The reason this novel is not unanimously considered the most convincing love story of our time, is because it deviates from one’s conventional love stories. Most love stories have a straight forward storyline that can be easily followed. They do not really allow the reader to construct their own ideas on the would be love story. However, Lolita shows the reader the lust and sin that is in true love. Love is never a simple and clear emotion, this book exploits that and runs away with it. It challenges the reader’s morals and ideas of what true love really is. This book is a convincing love story because in a weird way we can relate ourselves to Humbert Humbert, age difference is the- only and enormous- hurdle that the reader must come to terms with. Humbert Humbert expresses that love is confusing and that the actions that come from that emotion are equally or even more complicated. “"When I try to analyze my own cravings, motives, actions and so forth, I surrender to a sort of retrospective imagination which feeds the analytic faculty with boundless alternatives and which causes each visualized route to fork and re-fork without end in the maddeningly complex prospect of my past."(Nobokov 13).
ReplyDeleteLolita shows that love is not at all cliché as most stories and movies would like us to believe. Lolita shows us that true love is about struggle, loss , pain, hope , persistence ,sin, dividing and conquering (possibly in that order). Humbert Humbert goes through hell and back trying to express his love for Lolita. If Lolita was just another girl to him, why would Humbert Humbert ( an intelligent person ) go through so much trouble to just to obtain her. He would have been able to obtain any female he wanted. There had to be more than just a physical attraction, for him to conn , lie and kill for Lolita. It’s the relativity we have with Humbert Humbert that makes this novel the most convincing love story of our time. We have all at one time or another have done some sort of wrong or wronged someone to obtain what we want, it is the prime example of the expression “ All is fair in Love and War”. Lolita shows that love has no boundaries.
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ReplyDelete“Love” is known for being non-discriminating and having no limits; that is why it is conceivable to say that Vladimir Nobokov’s novel, Lolita, is the “greatest love story of our time.” Lolita is considered one of the most controversial, yet greatest pieces of literature ever created. While reading the book, one needs to keep an open mind to fully understand the relationship between Humbert Humbert and Lolita. Humbert Humbert, a sophisticated and charming middle-aged man falls in love with Lolita, a twelve year old girl. The relationship between them started off motivated by lust, but it evolved into something more; it evolved into love. When the reader is first introduced to this unusual relationship, one can feel disgusted and even disturbed, but as one keeps reading the story, it is obvious that Humbert was not only motivated by lust, but also by love.
ReplyDeleteAs the story progressed, so did their relationship. The relationship became complicated due to Charlotte Hayes’ death, making Humbert the official guardian of Lolita; regardless, their affair continued. Their affair started to affect Humbert, he would question himself if he still wanted to lust after Lolita, or actually be a parent to her. “I want to protect you, dear, from all the horrors that happen to little girls in coal sheds and alley ways… through thick and thin I will stay your guardian” (Nabokov 150). Needless to say, these moments he had were very brief, but it shows that he was always concerned of what was best for her. He could never give her what she truly deserved for he was too weak when it came to the temptation of a “nymph.”
What makes this novel the “greatest love story of our time” is that it is strangely relatable. It is obvious that Lolita never truly loved Humbert, but he was head over heels for her. Our society is used to “love stories” about a typical boy-girl relationship with the mutual feeling of love. What you see on the movie screen or story books are usually fiction. Love can be the greatest feeling one can ever experience, or it can be the most tragic, haunting obsession. When I read this story, it reminded me of a “crush;” one can fall in love with someone, but it does not mean that they will be loved back. Lolita treated Humbert like garbage, but he still loved her-no matter what.
“True love” is a lot of things; apparently one of these things is Lolita. Lolita has been dubbed, “The only convincing love story of our time.” That’s quite the reputation to live up to. While I don’t think Lolita and Humbert Humbert trump Belle and Beast, I can rationalize why others may think contrary.
ReplyDeleteSuch a reason Lolita is a convincing love story is Nabakov’s presentation of the entire taboo. With lusty love as the premise of his story, trusty narrator Humbert Humbert unleashes lines such as, “Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul… the tip of the tongue taking a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the teeth”(Nobakov 9). This alliterative sentence structure allows Humbert Humbert to molest and fiddle with the reader’s mouth and tongue, similar in manner to Humbert Humbert inside his own Lolita’s mouth. HH’s seductive prose is only furthered by his eloquence in French. While much of the text exploits the sexuality of pubescent girls(underdeveloped breasts, slightly developed pubic hair, etc.), HH’s mastery of smooth, sexually arousing story telling makes Lolita the most frisky book of pedophilic confessions in print. Humbert spews his soul into his words and it is fantastically pleasurable.
Lolita also follows an unprecedented formula. An important element in Lolita’s “convincing love story” equation is HH’s 3-dimensionality. HH has a complicated past. He shows desire, lust. HH shows remorse. Nobakov crafts HH into the image of a self righteous, fully human hero rapist. Humbert is not just an abominable pedophile; he is a pedophile with feelings and conviction. He is both futile and believable. Furthermore, Lolita herself adds to the convincing love story aura of the book. Lolita’s unexpected sexuality emphatically complements HH’s conservative nature. She is literally a preteen who lives to perform sexual favors and is ironically on the perpetual hunt for meat in her mouth. A detestable slut, if you will. But the unprecedented relationship between child and man, daughter and father, succubus and pedophile is just taboo enough to work. Throw in Lolita’s concubine intentions(with another pedophile go figure!) for Qulity, her eventual marriage and pregnancy to Dick, and HH’s amateur snuff work with a gun named “Chum”, and a unique and brutal story comes together.
So, to wrap things up: Devilish and Handsome Pedophile + Horny Pubescent Succubus + Ecstatic Coitus and Its Derivatives + Edgar Allen Poe + Second, But Unattractive Pedophile, Child Porno Mogul + Dick + Dick Schiller + Retributive Justice = the most convincing (and disturbingly playful) love story of our time.
Lolita is a story of true and unconditional love. If one were to view the story without considering the age difference between Humbert Humbert and Lolita, they would understand why it is the greatest love story of our time. Like most love stories, there are two people who wish to be together. There are obstacles that interfere with their desires for one another such as Charlotte, Clarence Quilty, and Dick Schiller. The factor that separates this love story from most however is Nabakov’s convincing writing style. While reading the novel, I had to remind myself that it was a work of fiction. The plot of Lolita causes readers to sympathize with and practically feel Humbert Humbert’s pain. Unlike most love stories, the two lovers do not remain together through the end of the novel. It tells of unrequited love, something that most readers can relate more to than the romantic, larger than life Nicholas Sparks stories.
ReplyDeleteLolita does not only cover heartbreak. It expresses the true pain of unconditional love. Humbert Humbert’s desire for Lolita is made clear to the reader from the beginning of the novel. “Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin my soul” (Nabakov 9). Although HH’s claims of love may strike the reader as simply the lustful desires of an old pedophile, his dedication to Lolita is shown throughout the novel. His main focus during their road trip is to make Lolita happy. He buys her new clothes and material items in attempts to buy her affection. Rather than spend his money on a young prostitute as he used to, he chooses to work to win over Lolita. Later in the novel, when Lolita asks Humbert Humbert for money for her new family, he begs her to return to him. She responds “no” with a smile, but he gives her the money anyway. Although Lolita only thinks of him as a father, HH’s unconditional love for Lolita is still clear. Without receiving anything in return, Humbert gives Lolita $4,000 because he is still working to make her happy. This, in my opinion, is the example of a true love story.
To persuade someone that a novel about a pedophile and his prey is the only convincing love story, proves difficult and impossible. But Vladimir Nabokov’s portrayal of Humbert Humbert as a distraught man lost in his childhood youth, searching for his lost lover, provokes a sense of remorse and understanding for the damaged creature. Humbert Humbert emotions for Lolita stemmed from his true love he had for his deceased childhood lover; as a result, one is able to infer that his emotions are from true love, not lust from his pedophilic nature.
ReplyDeleteDue to his demented childhood, tormented with unsatisfied adult and vulgar fantasies, Humbert Humbert was never able to grow away from his desires for young girls into his adult life. But because Humbert is stuck in a child’s mind for love, his feelings about Lolita are true. When he first met her, he was struck by her beauty, compelled by her behavior and memorized by her presence. Before, he has met many nymphets, stalking them out in the parks. But he fell for Lolita and her close comparison to his past love.
Many may argue that Humbert is simply lusting out after the small child, and his flirtatious behavior. But when she leaves him for another man, one seems Humber morn for the second time about losing his love. The first time he was a child, young and lost in the disillusion that this could have happened to him. The second time seemed unreal. Humbert was devastated that his little nymphet was no longer with him, spending their days together talking and making love. If the age was only a number, no one would deny the affection between Lolita and Humbert, but the age brings in controversy and questions. Humbert did not care for the age; in the end, he continued to fight for her and her love, never accepting that what they had was over.
Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita is the only convincing love story of our century because of Humbert Humbert’s undying love for Lolita. Ever since he first saw Lolita, Humbert was entranced. He described her as forbidden fruit, acknowledging that his desire for her is wrong and their love is prohibited. But, as all great love stories do, Humbert and Lolita find a way to get together. They triumph over their social obstacles in order to fall in love with each other. Even as their relationship begins to falter, Humbert never gives up his feelings for Lolita. Humbert willingly sacrifices everything for Lolita; wanting nothing in return but her happiness. Humbert murders Quilty in a selfless act to save Lolita. After being arrested for murder and while facing prosecution, Humbert’s only thoughts were of Lolita’s future. He supplies Lolita with advice for life such as, “Do not let other fellows touch you…That husband of yours, I hope, will always treat you well” (pg. 309). This level of devotion and compassion for one person is what defines Lolita as the greatest love story of the century. Lolita is a great love story because it tells the tale of one man’s unconditional love.
ReplyDeleteNear the story’s close, when Humbert finally reconnects with Lolita, Humbert must deal with the ultimate loss. Lolita no longer loves him as anything more than a father-figure. Although Humbert is clearly depressed about this, he does not show it. He accepts that Lolita is happier with Dick and resolves to leave her be, for the sole purpose of keeping her happy. Humbert was willing to sacrifice his own happiness in order for Lolita to live happily ever after. When Lolita informed Humbert that Clarence Quilty had the power to make her leaver her new growing family, Humbert knew he must save Lolita from herself. In a completely selfless act, Humbert sets out to find Quilty and ensure he never interferes with Lolita’s happiness again. Humbert knew, while tracking down Quilty, that his actions would not bring Lolita to love him again. He was set on his course, not to win her back, but to protect her, “I want to protect you, dear, from all the horrors that happen to little girls in coal sheds and alley ways… through thick and thin I will stay your guardian” (150). This selflessness is what is attributed to Lolita’s title of greatest love story of all time. After killing Quilty, Humbert took responsibility for his actions. He did not try to hide his crime, but instead announced it to the room, proud that he was once again able to save Lolita. He sacrifices his freedom for Lolita’s happiness and never holds a single regret.
Anyone who reads Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita is able to understand why it is given the title only convincing love story of our century. When hearing about the story of a man who falls in love with his step-daughter and continues a sexual relationship with her after her mother’s death, one can easily and understandably become disgusted with the book. Of all the adjectives this plot could be assigned, no one would ever assume ‘love’ story to be a fit. However, Nabokov is able to present the character of Humbert Humbert in such a compassionate way that the reader begins to understand his true love for Lolita. By understanding his train of thought and mental psyche throughout the story, the reader is able to call Humbert’s feelings for Lolita, ‘love
Many people are surprised to hear that Lolita is known as “the most convincing love story of our century.” Lolita is a convincing love story, because it gives delicate intimacy and sweetness to a relationship that could be deemed as inappropriate and wrong. However, through Humbert’s feelings toward Lolita and his total respect and kindness shown towards her, this lustful relationship can be accepted as love. The fact Humbert and Lolita’s relationship is forbidden and kept secret makes this novel romantic. They are not supposed to be together, according to the law and to almost everyone’s moral standards, yet they dangerously pursue their relationship. One factor that might change audiences’ attitudes toward the relationship is the gap in their age. After reading the novel, it is difficult to call Humbert a pedophile, because Lolita is completely willing to love and make love to him. Although it is statutory rape, I do not consider it rape because she desires sex as much as Humbert does.
ReplyDeleteHumbert has an undying love for Lolita. Humbert is exclusively attracted to “nymphets” (pre-adolescent girls from ages 8-14). Though many may predict him to leave Lolita when she became too old for him, he continued to love her unconditionally after she became past her adolescent stage. This shows it was not just lust, but real love. He longed for her terribly when she was gone, and no other woman could compare to Lolita. His love was everlasting and true. Humbert states, “This Lolita, pale and polluted, and big with another’s child, but …still mine” (Nabokov 278). If their relationship was pure lust and based only on sex, Humbert would have stopped caring about Lolita when she lost her infantile beauty, her sultry sun-tanned skin, and her attractive figure. Even though she was not faithful to him, he swallowed his pride because of the intensity of his love, and continued loving her regardless of how poorly she treated him. He purposefully describes the character of Lolita as unattractive in this chapter, to prove Humbert is not only in love with her physical appearance.