Young children – between the ages of 9
and 14 – are at a fragile age where they learn to develop themselves
emotionally, sexually and mentally. Any disturbance in their transition to
adult hood could result in drastic problems, such as homicidal actions and
corrupt adulthoods. In Vladimir Nabokov’s novel, Lolita, the main character struggles with his monstrous desires for
young nymphets. This unwanted attraction
began after his childhood lover drastically died, leaving the young Humbert
lost in his dissatisfaction and loneliness. 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.
I agree Tara, Humbert Humbert refers to his childhood love Annabel Lee a substantial amount of times throughout the book. This proves that he was obviously traumatized by his love’s untimely death. This happened to Humbert at a young age; as a result he suffered with losing her and never really dealt with the pain properly. It is evident that he tried to ease his mind and relieve the memory of Annabel by preying on little girls in his adulthood. He wants to recreate the romance and passion he had with Annabel as a young boy. There is one problem with this: he is not their peer… he is old enough to be their dad. Humbert was traumatized as a boy; consequently, he will only get himself into trouble with his pedophile mentality.
ReplyDeleteI think that this also goes for the nymphets between the aged of 9-14. They were very much influenced by the actions done to them at this age, and their futures did not turn out too bright. Humbert first alludes to this when he is with the French prostitute; obviously the former nymphet did not have the most normal or acceptable future. And then there's Lolita, who is pregnant and married at a young age, and has to desperately ask her former lover for money. Since they were both nymphets and therefore very sexually active at this transitional and developmental stage, their mentality was tainted.
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