11/12/2016 AgainstLolita|LiteraryHub

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AGAINTLOLITA
NAOKOVMOTFAMOUOOKI,TRULY,AMINORWORK

eptemer16,2015RoxanaRoinon(http://lithu.com/author/roxana-roinon/)

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11/12/2016 AgainstLolita|LiteraryHub

ItiafactuniverallacknowledgedthatVladimirNaokoviageniu.Hitlitic
rilliance,theintricacofhipot-modernnarrative,higlitteringmateroftwogreat
language,theroodingdepthofhiintellectandhiprolicoutputallelevatehimaove
motothercontemporarwriter.o,ifheageniu,whatihimaterpiece?

ProalnotLolita.

Lolitawaauccdecandalewhenitcameout60earagothimonthfromOlmpia
Pre,withartprintrunof5,000(GrahamGreenecalleditoneofthethreeet
ookof1955).efurorcretedonawaveofprurientexcitementoverthepoiilitof
exuallexplicitmaterialenteringtheliterarmaintream.eookwahailedaa
materpieceforitinventivene,itquetionofauthorhipandnarrator,itlaerand
complexit,itlinguitichigh-jink,ittrickerandcleverneandglitteringword-pla.
uttherealreaonitreceiveduchenormouattentionwatheexualcontent:itwathe
ookaoutthepedophile,themanwhohaexwithhitep-daughter.utforthe
ujectmatter,itwouldhaveeenauccdetime,admiredutlittle-known:itwathe
candalou,foriddenexthatcreatedahugetormofinteret.epuliher,Maurice
Girodia,wrotehopefullthathethoughttheookwanotonladmiralefromthe
literarpointofview,utalomightleadtochangeinocialattitudetowardthekindof
lovedecriedinLolitathati,theloveofpedophiliaanderialrape.

econtemporarlawagaintpornographwerewidepreadandpowerful.Naokov
narrative,whichwaothliteraranderotic,providedtheperfectchallengetotheerigid
Victorianprohiition.Courtwerediinclinedtointhefaceofuchaunitedoutcr
ofupport.Criticandreviewerrepondedtotheookeautifulglitteringurfaceand
itdark,uveriveinterior,itconfuinghapeandittrangreivemoralit,repreented
theworldofthemodern.Reader,maepuliclinteretedintheavant-garde,mae
privatelinteretedintheeroticpart,ockedtouit.

****

Lolitawahockingwhenitappeared,andnow,60earlater,thepedophiliaandthe
erialrapearetillhocking:Girodiahopeofnormalizationiunfullled.eooktill
carrieawhiofpornograph,oftheforidden,oeringanewiterationoftheJameian

themeinwhichtheinnocentNewWorldideledandcorruptedthedecadenceofthe
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themeinwhichtheinnocentNewWorldideledandcorruptedthedecadenceofthe
OldWorld.

utwhathockingnow,60earlater,aoutLolitainottheexualitutthelackofit.
Whattrikingarethegenteeleuphemimallalacioumetaphoranduggetive
imilethatcharacterizeNaokovwritingaouttheexualact.Whattrikingithe
oddaenceofankindofrealeroticpaion,inwhichtwopeopleconnectpowerfull.
HumertfeelingforLolitaarecompletelolipitic.earenomorethan
maturationfantaie,andmightawelledirectedatalow-upexto.Humertha
noundertandingofLolitaaaperon,andhiexualactivitiewithherareentirelelf-
involved.Hehimelfiatwo-dimenionalcaricature,andheeeheraoneawell.

Depiteitpornographicplot,theookuverttheclaicalpornographicmodel.It
echewtheeacomfortoftextlikeFannHill,orHitoiredO,inwhichthefemale
exualpartnerareatrtreitant,utoonecomelifullwilling.iallowthe
readertofeelguiltle:nomatterwhatphicaltravailareviitedupontheexual
partner,thereaderndhimelfinaparadieofhappacquiecence.Naokovdeniehi
readerthicomfortingfanta.Afterthertill-adviedmoment,Lolitaneveragain
wantexwithherageing,hair,tremlingaductor,uthehanochoice.Heiaerial
rapit,heforcehertohaveexagainandagain.Hecarenothingaoutherwihe,onl
aouttheitchheinitoncratching,likeadoghumpingapillow.

Naokovintentitofrutrate,notgratif,thereader,andheuvert,too,theformof
thetraditionaleroticnovel.Inthitheworldprovidetheupporttemfortheexual
adventurer.eloomingcatleintheMarquideadeandthetorofO,forexample,
conceal,protectandencourageexuallicene.eirinhaitantareallpartofaliveland
engagedcommunit.utinLolitathedreadfulmotel,theKumfKain,thepeering
neighorandlurkingpolicemenallactadampenerandretraintonex,reminderof
therealquotidianworld.

oughmuchoftheappealoftheookdependontitillation,Lolitaianovelof
potponementanddeferredgratication.Naokovleaduenticingltoward
gratication,rtexual,thenhomicidal,uthedelightinmockingtheeagerreader,
holdingotheclimacticmomentthroughaerieoframlingdigreionanddetour.

Andhedeniethereaderanpeakmomentofexperiencethatmightoerpchological
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Andhedeniethereaderanpeakmomentofexperiencethatmightoerpchological
atifaction.IfNaokovmockthetropeoftheeroticnovel,healomockthereader
whowaecretlhopingtoreadaneroticnovelcloakedinliterarrepectailit.

eexualenerginLolitaiunremitting,utoddlimperonal,andinfactthetrul
paionateenergcomefromanotheremotion.eexualnarrativefunctionaa
creen,whichditractthereaderanddiguietherealtor:thiitheexpreionof
Naokovrageandreentmenttowardaworldthathadetraedhim.ewriteri
drivenfuratthefatethatdecreedtheloofhifather,hiwealth,hiaritocratic
heritageandhielegant,cultured,ophiticatedandeautifulmotherland.Hientire
countr.

Naokovwaforcedintopermanentexile,rtin1919,theCommunitRevolution.
HeendedupinGerman,aplacehecordialldilikedandwherehelivedforadecade.
Later,duringWorldWarII,hemovedtoAmerica.Comingfromwar-ravageduropehe
foundhimelfinahugeoungcountr,eautiful,innocentandignorant.InLolitahe
takeouthifeelingonhinewterrain,andtheUnitedtateieenauniforml
contemptile.Itcitizenareoorih,mannerleandoftengroteque,andthewhole
countrilittheglowofunearnedproperit.Naokovarrivedhereaanimmigrant,
impoverihedandunknown.

Naokovneverforgavetheolhevikforaainatinghilieral,aritocraticfather,or
foretrainghifamil,foreizinghietateandpropert.Whhouldhe?Itwathe
trutedfamilfootmanwhowaguiltofthemotintimateetraal,tellingtheoldier
aouttheecrethidingplaceinhimotheredroom,whereherjewelwerekept.Itwa
theCommunitwhocnicalletraedtheirownpeople.eophiticatedcultureof
thearitocrac,likeaFaergeower,ejeweled,tremlant,wacruhedeneaththe
ovietoot.eeetraalinformedNaokoveniilit,tainingitwithadeepand
pervaivecnicim.

LolitatandaamonumenttoNaokovreentment:itinotanovelofexual
conummationutofculturalcontempt.Contemptithetruedrivingpaion:the
landcape,thecharacter,thenarrator,thenarrativearealldrenchedinit.Naokov
depiehicharacterandtheirrightvulgarworld,withitpopulitarchitectureand

cheapdipla,ittawdr,eratzculture.LolitaiaragingcrfortheworldNaokovlot,
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cheapdipla,ittawdr,eratzculture.LolitaiaragingcrfortheworldNaokovlot,
whichwaoneofrenement,perceptionandeaut.Itacrofrageataworldthat
repreenthiworldcounterpart:oung,vulgar,unrenedandirredeemaleductive.

Lolitaecometheojectofhiperverteddeire.arlinhilife,inurope,Humert
hadanadolecentingwithagirlwhodied.NowthathehaeenexiledfromParadie,
nowthathirtloveidead,AmericaandLolitaarewhatHumertmutendure.Lolita
(http://lithub.com)
herelficommon,upercialandunintelligent,thoughHumertignorehermindand
OOKMARK(HTTP://LITHU.COM/OOKMARK/)
hereniilit.Hedepiethevulgarclotheandmakeup,nackandadvertiement
FATUR(HTTP://LITHU.COM/CATGORY/FATUR/)
thatentranceher,Americacheappot-waroering.Hehatetheephilitine
vulgarianforowningthihugegreencontinentacrowhichhedrivehiunwilling
XCRPT(HTTP://LITHU.COM/CATGORY/XCRPT/)

partner,fullofmeadowandmountainandunet,richandopenandempt,endof
OOKHLF(HTTP://LITHU.COM/OOKHLF/)
theummermountain,allhunchedup,theirheavgptianlimfoldedunderfoldof
tawnmoth-eatenpluhalatrufoumountain,witharichrugoflucerneatitfeet.
LITHUDAILY(HTTP://LITHU.COM/CATGORY/LITHU_DAILY/)

eepeopledontdeervethiplace.
AOUT(HTTP://LITHU.COM/AOUT-LITRARY-HU/)

LolitaactaacounterparttoPnin,anothernovelthatchronicleNaokovclum
immigranttor.utwhilePninifullofcompaion,forthenarrator,theplace,andthe
othercharacter,anditexplorethepoiilitieoftrengthandenetinthenew
world,Lolitaianindictment.Itanunrelentingcrofrageatanorderthatplacea
culturalophiticate,auropeangentleman-cholar,inthepoitionofwooingavulgar
adolecentAmerica.iprovincialplacelackthemeantoundertandhivalue,hi
lineage,hiintellect,thedeepaidingworthofwhatherepreent.Hiculturehaeen
cruhedproletarianRuiaandignoreddemoticAmerica.

HumertHumertgrewupahapp,healthchildinarightworldofeavita
andmilingface.Hiphotogenicmotherfamouldiedearl(picnic,lightning)uthi
cherpetitpapadotedonhimandtaughthimtowim.Hiuropeanchildhoodi
ParadieLot.HumertndhimelfinanAmericanHade,peopledoor,lled
withhideouarchitectureandappallingtate.

eunluckCharlotteHazeliveinawhite-framehorrordingandold,moregre
thanwhitethekindofplaceouknowwillhavearuertueaxedtothetufaucet
inlieofhower.AtoCharlotteherelf,Ihadetterdecrieheratonce,togetitover

with.epoorladwainhermiddlethirtie,hehadahinforehead,plucked
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with.epoorladwainhermiddlethirtie,hehadahinforehead,plucked
eerowandquiteimpleutnotunattractivefeatureofatpethatmaedenedaa
weakolutionofMarleneDietrich.einteriorofthehoueidecoratedwithMexican
trahandiotherwieatragedofdecrepitrockerandricketlamptalewithdead
lamp.

ewahofcontemptluiceovereverone.eheadofLolitaummercampia
(http://lithub.com)
luttihworn-outfemalewithruthair.Lolitaherelfivulgar,hallow,and
OOKMARK(HTTP://LITHU.COM/OOKMARK/)
duplicitou,andHumertapriml,Ireallthinkhehouldwahherhaironceina
FATUR(HTTP://LITHU.COM/CATGORY/FATUR/)
while.
XCRPT(HTTP://LITHU.COM/CATGORY/XCRPT/)
WhenHumertandLolitanallarriveattheconummationite,thendoutidethe
hotelarowofparkedcar,likepigatatrough.AhunchackedandhoarNegro
OOKHLF(HTTP://LITHU.COM/OOKHLF/)

taketheirag.Inide,atthedek,aaldandporcineoldmancalled,unelieval,
LITHUDAILY(HTTP://LITHU.COM/CATGORY/LITHU_DAILY/)
wine,quetionthem.Hicolleague,Mr.Pott,ialopinkandald,withwhitehair
growingoutofhiearandotherhole.WhentheacceptHumerttor,hedeclare,
AOUT(HTTP://LITHU.COM/AOUT-LITRARY-HU/)

thetwopinkpigwerenowamongmetfriend.veroneinAmerica(and
Humerttravelalloverit)iunattractive,uneducatedoroth.

Humerttremlinglut,hikidnappinganderialraping,providetheengineofthe
ook.Criticoftenignorethealaciouhimmerofexualpredationthatlieatitmolten
center,utthathimmeriwhatdrewthepulicattention.endiniter,pulihedin
1947,hingeuponthetortureandmurderoftheprotagonitadolecenton.euject
ijutacnicalanddituring,utwithouttheexualfrenzofLolita,theookcreated
littlefuror.

Naokovwapraiedforhioldneinchallengingexualmore,utthiwanothi
intention,andhetoldhipuliherthatauccdecandalewouldditrehim.Infacthi
trueoldnelieelewhere.UingtheeroticnarrativeofLolitaaacreen,helindhi
readertohirealintention.Inadazzlingactofpretidigitation,heinvitehireaderto
enterintoatiradeofcontemptwhichidirectedatthem.Contemptithemoteriou
elementinthimocking,ironic,atiricalnarrative;ittheoneemotionthatcome
directlfromNaokovheart.xiledfromacountrthatnolongerexit,terminall
emittered,grievingandreentful,NaokovrevileanundeervingAmerica,hi

unintendedrefuge.iiaplacethatknownothingofhigreatfortuneorhi
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unintendedrefuge.iiaplacethatknownothingofhigreatfortuneorhi
unpeakalelo,anAmericawhichprovidehimwithoththetargetofhicontempt
andhilargetandmotenthuiaticaudience.

Lolitaiarilliantookinmanwa,utitnotamaterpiece.Itengageuona
literarandintellectuallevelinamaterfulmanner.uttheooklackacrucial
componentofgreatction:compaion.Greatctionimorethanarticeandwordpla,
(http://lithub.com)
itmorethancleverne,morethaniron.Itcertainlmorethanunaatedrage.Awe
OOKMARK(HTTP://LITHU.COM/OOKMARK/)
eeintheworkofophocle,Tolto,hakepeare,Chekhov,ronteandWoolf,the
FATUR(HTTP://LITHU.COM/CATGORY/FATUR/)
wagreatwritertretchandinformuinvolvetheheartawellathemind.
XCRPT(HTTP://LITHU.COM/CATGORY/XCRPT/)
Naokovcreatearilliant,glittering,now-queencatle,adazzlingconfectionoflut
andarticeandironanddeception.utthiintenoughtomakeagreatmaterpiece:
OOKHLF(HTTP://LITHU.COM/OOKHLF/)

thatrequireaheart.eonlrealemotioninLolitaderivefromNaokov
LITHUDAILY(HTTP://LITHU.COM/CATGORY/LITHU_DAILY/)
emitterment,anditexpreionlieinhiinteriorlaughter.
AOUT(HTTP://LITHU.COM/AOUT-LITRARY-HU/)
ejokeonu.

anniverarie(http://lithu.com/tag/anniverarie/) cenorhip(http://lithu.com/tag/cenorhip/)

contempt(http://lithu.com/tag/contempt/) HumertHumert(http://lithu.com/tag/humert-humert/)

Lolita(http://lithu.com/tag/lolita/) OlmpiaPre(http://lithu.com/tag/olmpia-pre/)

RoxanaRoinon(http://lithu.com/tag/roxana-roinon/)

VladimirNaokov(http://lithu.com/tag/vladimir-naokov/)

(https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Flithub.com%2Fagainst-lolita%2F&t=Against%20Lolita)

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RoxanaRoinon(http://lithu.com/author/roxana-roinon/)

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RoxanaRoinonitheauthorofeightworkofction,includingthenovelCotand
parta.heialotheauthorofGeorgiaOKeee:ALife.AGuggenheimfellow,he
editedeNewYorktorieofdithWharton,pulihedNYRClaicin2007.
(http://lit
hub.com/
author/ro
xana-
robinson/
) (http://lithub.com)

OOKMARK(HTTP://LITHU.COM/OOKMARK/)

FATUR(HTTP://LITHU.COM/CATGORY/FATUR/)

YOUMIGHTALOLIK
XCRPT(HTTP://LITHU.COM/CATGORY/XCRPT/)

OOKHLF(HTTP://LITHU.COM/OOKHLF/)

LITHUDAILY(HTTP://LITHU.COM/CATGORY/LITHU_DAILY/)

AOUT(HTTP://LITHU.COM/AOUT-LITRARY-HU/)

namedropping/)
(http://lithub.com/anincompleteguidetoproperliterary

LOLITA(HTTP://LITHU.COM/LOLITA/) ANINCOMPLTGUIDTOPROPRLITRARYNAM-
DROPPING(HTTP://LITHU.COM/AN-INCOMPLT-
GUID-TO-PROPR-LITRARY-NAM-DROPPING/)
Decemer9,2016Danheehan
(http://lithu.com/author/dan-heehan/) Decemer9,2016milTemple
(http://lithu.com/author/emil-temple/)

LITHUDAILY:PTMR16,2015
(HTTP://LITHU.COM/LITHU-DAILY-
THLITRARYCARIAN,FROMOCA
TOROOKLYN(HTTP://LITHU.COM/TH-
LITRARY-CARIAN-FROM-OCA-TO-

PTMR-16-2015/) ROOKLYN/)

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saxonius1ayearago
http://lithub.com/againstlolita/ 8/14
11/12/2016 saxonius1 AgainstLolita|LiteraryHub

IamstillnotsurehowanythingfromthisessaywassupposetoprovethatLolitadoesn'thaveany
compassion.Isthereaconnectionbetweenyourexplanationthebook'sdelayedgratification,the
subvertofthepornographicmodelandNabokov'ssupposeddisgustwithAmericathatequalslack
ofcompassioninthebook...whichyoudon'tevenmentionuntiltheveryend?

Youwentonajourneyandforgotwhereyouweregoing.

Alsowhyiscompassionthekeytothisarbitrary,subjectiveideaofa"masterpiece?"
7 Reply Share
(http://lithub.com)
MadelineStevensayearago
OOKMARK(HTTP://LITHU.COM/OOKMARK/)
Lolitaisthe(deeply)tragicheroine.Likesomanyyounggirls,sheexistsonlywithinthemalegaze
inordertobesexualized.Wearecomplicitinthisasreadersandhorribleforit.Youneedtopay
FATUR(HTTP://LITHU.COM/CATGORY/FATUR/)
attentionwhenshesays,"ForChrist'ssakeleavemealone."Youneedtopayattentiontothefact
thatshediesintheend.Ifyourcompassiondoesnotliewithher,youshouldaskyourself,why?
XCRPT(HTTP://LITHU.COM/CATGORY/XCRPT/)
Whatiswrongwithme?Andwhatiswrongwithsociety?
6 Reply Share
OOKHLF(HTTP://LITHU.COM/OOKHLF/)
StephenZ.>MadelineStevensayearago
LITHUDA ILY(HTTP://LITHU.COM/CATGORY/LITHU_DAILY/)
Thisisexactlythepointofthewholework,andwhyit'samasterpiece:thereaderis
encouragedandproddedtoconfronthis/herownworstinstincts(includingblamingthe
A Ovictim,orslutshaming),andthroughnewselfawareness,cometohaveheartrending
UT(HTTP://LITHU.COM/AOUT-LITRARY-HU/)
compassionforpoorDollyHaze.Takingreadersthroughtheirdarkerselvestothepossibility
ofseeingthelightmasterful.
Reply Share

Dr.VickiBurrichter>MadelineStevensayearago
Perfectlysaid.
Reply Share

Jamesayearago
"NabokovneverforgavetheBolsheviksforassassinatinghisliberal,aristocraticfather,orfor
betrayinghisfamily,forseizinghisestatesandproperty."

Justtonote,Nabokov'sfatherwasnotassassinatedbyBolsheviks,butbyapairofTsarists
associatedwithVasilyBiskupsky(afarrightRussiangeneralwholaterfinancedHitler)ata
conferenceinBerlinin1922.TheywereactuallytryingtokillPavelMilyukov,inlargepartbecause
theyblamedhisConstitutionalDemocraticPartyforcreatingtheconditionsforrevolutionthat
allowedtheBolshevikstotakepower.Nabokov'sfatherwrestledthegunmantothegroundbefore
hecouldshootMilyukov,butwashimselfshotandkilledintheprocess.
4 Reply Share

DerekSoayearago
IrecommendRichardRorty'sexcellentessay"ThebarberofKasbeam:Nabokovoncruelty".
4 Reply Share

emakinsayearago
Afewpassages:"Itisnottheartisticaptitudesthataresecondarysexualcharactersassomeshams
andshamanshaveititistheotherwayaroundsexisbuttheancillaofart."
http://lithub.com/againstlolita/ 9/14
11/12/2016 AgainstLolita|LiteraryHub

"Wehadbeeneverywhere.Wehadreallyseennothing.AndIcatchmyselfthinkingtodaythatour
longjourneyhadonlydefiledwithasinuoustrailofslimethelovely,trustful,dreamy,enormous
countrythatbythen,inretrospect,wasnomoretousthanacollectionofdogearedmaps,ruined
tourbooks,oldtires,andhersobsinthenighteverynight,everynightthemomentIfeigned
sleep."

"SomewherebeyondBill'sshackanafterworkradiohadbegunsingingoffollyandfate,andthere
shewaswithherruinedlooksandheradult,ropeveinednarrowhandsandhergoosefleshwhite
arms,andhershallowears,andherunkemptarmpits,thereshewas(myLolita!),hopelesslyworn
(http://lithub.com)
atseventeen,withthatbaby,dreamingalreadyinherofbecomingabigshotandretiringaround
2020A.D.andIlookedandIlookedather,andknewasclearlyasIknowIamtodie,thatIloved
OOKMARK(HTTP://LITHU.COM/OOKMARK/)
hermorethananythingIhadeverseenorimaginedonearth,orhopedforanywhereelse."
FATUR(HTTP://LITHU.COM/CATGORY/FATUR/)
"WhatIheardwasbutthemelodyofchildrenatplay,nothingbutthat,andsolimpidwastheair
thatwithinthisvaporofblendedvoices,majesticandminute,remoteandmagicallynear,frank
XCRPT(HTTP://LITHU.COM/CATGORY/XCRPT/)
anddivinelyenigmaticonecouldhearnowandthen,asifreleased,analmostarticulatespurtof
vividlaughter,orthecrackofabat,ortheclatterofatoywagon,butitwasallreallytoofarforthe
OOKHLF(HTTP://LITHU.COM/OOKHLF/)
eyetodistinguishanymovementinthelightlyetchedstreets.Istoodlisteningtothatmusical
vibrationfrommyloftyslope,tothoseflashesofseparatecrieswithakindofdemuremurmurfor
LITH UDAILY(HTTP://LITHU.COM/CATGORY/LITHU_DAILY/)
background,andthenIknewthatthehopelesslypoignantthingwasnotLolita'sabsencefrommy
side,buttheabsenceofhervoicefromthatconcord."
A O
2 U T (Reply
H T T P : /Share
/LITHU.COM/AOUT-LITRARY-HU/)

140xLangameayearago
Ibelievethe"genius"(whateverwetakethatwordtomean)ofLolitahaslesstodowithNabokov's
compassionforhischaracters.He'sonrecordasbeingcontemptuousofthem.Rather,ithastodo
withthereactionheignitesinus.Hetakestheunlikeable,reprehensible,unredeemableHumbert
andmakesussomehowfeelsorryforhim.Hedoesthisbyintroducinganevenmorecontemptible
antagonistinQwiltywhobestsHHandwrestsLolitafromhim.Somehowwefindourselvesrooting
forHHinhisquestforrevenge.Thatismagic.Thatisgenius.Itisart.Itisn't,asyouopine,
Nabokov'scompassionthatmattersit'sthewayhecreatescompassioninthereader.Anyonecan
makeusfeelsorryforalovablerapscallionwithagoodheartorasympatheticheroine.We'veseen
itathousandtimes.Nabokovpushesoursentimentstounexpectedplaces,surprisingus,reversing
thewayweviewourselvesandoursympathies.Hemakesusuncomfortableinfeelingwhatwe're
feelingandforwhomwe'refeelingit.That'swhysomefindthemselvesrepulsedbythebook.Once
yougetpastthe'ick'factor,yourealizewhatanartisticaccomplishmentLolitais.
2 Reply Share

lenamcfarland>140xLangame13hoursago
Thiscommentshowsacommongendersympathygap.

IneverrootedforHH.

IalwaysrootedforLolita.

I'msurprisedifIlearnmenhaveadifferentreadingexperience.

Isawherasthispersonsomuchoppressedbythatmonsterandhisphonyjudgementsof
her.

Lolita'shumanityseemedbiggertomethanHHcouldeverrealize.
http://lithub.com/againstlolita/ 10/14
11/12/2016 AgainstLolita|LiteraryHub
Lolita'shumanityseemedbiggertomethanHHcouldeverrealize.

Thatthebookevokedcompassioninmeforhertomedoesmakeitaworkofgenius.Theick
partforhimneverended.Notevenonce.
Reply Share

ScottFreezeayearago
Lolitaisnotaworkofgenius...Ireaditsometimeagoandwasnotintheleast'transfixed'withit,
thebookisoneofthoseunusualonesbecauseofit'sliteraryqualityitwasabletoburrowunderthe
usualyearningsoftheeverydaypedophile,namelymostChristians...whoareverymuchintolittle
(http://lithub.com)
girls,justliketheyarewayintodrinking...
1 Reply Share
O O K M ARK(HTTP://LITHU.COM/OOKMARK/)

RodneyWelch
F A T U R ( H3hoursago
TTP://LITHU.COM/CATGORY/FATUR/)
Thisisaninterestingessaythatfailstomakeitscase.RobinsonstartsoutbysayingLolitaisn'ta
masterpieceratherthanprovethispoint,shetakesoffonthisratherinterestingpsychoanalytic
XCRPT(HTTP://LITHU.COM/CATGORY/XCRPT/)
excursionexplainingwhythebookisNabokov'spersonalswipeattheAmericawherehewasforced
toliveouthisdaysanoddchargeforanexpatriatewhowassohappytobefreefromfirstStalin
OOKHLF(HTTP://LITHU.COM/OOKHLF/)
andthenHitlerthathebecameanAmericansuperconservative,alwayspoohpoohinganti
CommunismandlaterevensendingPresidentJohnsonalettertellinghimtokeepupthegood
LITHUDAILY(HTTP://LITHU.COM/CATGORY/LITHU_DAILY/)
workinVietnam.Yes,Nabokovhadahigholdtimepointingoutallthe"poshlost"(Russianfor,
moreorless,philistinevulgarity)inAmerica,buthelovedpointingthatouteverywhereitwasthe
AOUT(HTTP://LITHU.COM/AOUT-LITRARY-HU/)
Gogolinhim.He'sjustaskeentopointitoutintheearlynovelsandstorieshewroteinRussia.
AfterofferexampleafterexampleofNabokov'ssupposeddistasteforhisadoptedcountry,
Robinsonwrapsupbysayingthenovellackscompassion.Thisisasabsurdassaying,asRobinson
lateradds,thatthecharacterslackdimension.Inmyreading,it'sbecausethecharactersareso
rich,andsowelldefined,thatwedofeelcompassion,certainly,forLolita,andatleastsomelevelof
empathy(notabsolutionorforgiveness,pleaseunderstand)forHumbert.WithLolitawehavethe
shapeandsenseofarealadolescentwhoisgraduallydestroyedandasensitivereadercannotfail
toseethisortofeelit.Itreachesapitchinamovingscenewhichcriticsoftenfailtocite,butwhich
alwaysmovesmedeeplythisisthescenelateinthebookwhereLoandHumhaveavisitfrom
Lo'sfriendAvisByrd.SheisLo'soppositeineveryway,anoverweightyoungthingwhowouldnever
seemore

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nbk999bayearago
Yes"Lolita"isamasterpieceforallthealreadymentionnedreasonsbutthestructureofthisnovel
hasactuallymoretoofferthanwhatmettheeyesonamerebasicreading.

"Lolita"containsasubjacentlevelasNabokovadmittedintwointerviewsinthe60s.
Forinstanceinoneoftheseinterviewshesaid:"(Lolita)waslikethecompositionofabeautiful
puzzleitscompositionanditssolutionatthesametime,sinceoneismirrorviewoftheother,
dependingonthewayyoulook".

Andindeed,wecanseephenomenonsofreflexioninthenovel(e.g.Pratt/Trapp,Blanche
Schwarzman/MelanieWeiss,thewidowHaze/thewidowHays,etc...).

Here'salinktreatingthesubjectifyou'reinterested:

https://wittevlinders.wordpres...

http://lithub.com/againstlolita/ 11/14
11/12/2016 AgainstLolita|LiteraryHub

.
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ottopivnrayearago
Everyworksoslightshouldhavesomanywordswrittenaboutit.But,didyouansweryourinitial
question,whatishismasterpiece?simple,PaleFire.
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Nameayearago
(http://lithub.com)
Sorry,butonthemeritsofthelanguagealone,Lolitaisaclassic.Probablythefinestnovelever
OOKMARK(HTTP://LITHU.COM/OOKMARK/)
writteninEnglishbysomeonewhosenativelanguagewasnotEnglish.It'ssimplymasterful.
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MWnycayearago
XCRPT(HTTP://LITHU.COM/CATGORY/XCRPT/)
ArethererecordsofNabokovexpressingcontemptfortheUnitedStatesinhisownpersonaas
VladimirNabokov?
OOKHLF(HTTP://LITHU.COM/OOKHLF/)
IfwecantakeaNewYorkTimesobituaryasusefulevidence(andIknowthatnoteveryonethinks
wecan),thenNabokov'sownfeelingsaboutthiscountrywerefarfromcontempt.
LITHUDAILY(HTTP://LITHU.COM/CATGORY/LITHU_DAILY/)
Forinstance,heexplainedwhyhecalledhimselfanAmericanwriterbysaying,inpart,"Americais
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theonlycountrywhereIfeelmentallyandemotionallyathome."

AndhespecificallyansweredthechargethathewasmockingtheUnitedStatesinLolitabysaying,
"Pokingfunatsuburbangenteelnessorinventingahalfdozengrotesquemotelsdoesnotmean
sneeringatAmerica.Letusnotmakeamockeryoutofamockup."

SeemstomethatRoxanaRobinsonhasconfusedHumbertHumbert'sthoughtsandattitudes
aboutAmerica,aswellasaboutthecharacterofLolitawithNabokov'sownthoughtsand
attitudes.
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ChrisOkumayearago
IfLolitaisaminorworkthenitisminorinthesensethatFrankLloydWright'sAndertonCenteris
minor,inwhichcasethisarticlehascausedaverysmallcrackintheedificeofthis'minor'work,a
cracklocatedsomewhereinthecornerofthebuilding'sfoundation,hiddenbehindashrub,
concealedfromview,andofabsolutelyzeroconcern,fromastructuralstandpoint.Inotherwords,
ifyouwanttodestroyabuilding,youshouldprobablybringsomethingbiggerthanaballpeen
hammer.
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OrmondOtvosayearago
Nabokovsaidwhatneededtobesaidatthetime,whichwasnotnow.Shakespearegetsprettygross
andchauvinistichimself...attimes.
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MadelineStevensayearago
Lolitaisthetragicheroine.Sheexistsonlywithinthemalegazeinordertobesexualized,likeso
many(all?)younggirls.Wearecomplicitinthisandhorribleforit.Youneedtopayattentionwhen
shesays"ForChrist'ssakeleavemealone."Youneedtopayattentiontothefactthatshediesinthe
http://lithub.com/againstlolita/ 12/14
11/12/2016 AgainstLolita|LiteraryHub
shesays"ForChrist'ssakeleavemealone."Youneedtopayattentiontothefactthatshediesinthe
end!Ifyourcompassiondoesn'tliewithher,youneedtoaskyourselfwhy,whatiswrongwith
me?Andwhatiswrongwithsociety?
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Loayearago
Reallyenjoyedreadingthis.Thanksforshiningthislightonamajorwork.
IreadLolitaaboutamonthbeforeNabokovdied,in1977,andwastooyoungtoseeallthelayers.
Yearslater,Iskimmedit,andwasappalled.Iknownowthattheairofcynicism,cloakedinelegant,
masterfulprose,disturbedmemorethanthesexuality,thoughanycavalierattitudetowards
(http://lithub.com)
adolescentsstillstrikesmeascreepy.
OOKMARK(HTTP://LITHU.COM/OOKMARK/)
IempathizewithNabokovtheexile,butIdon'tcondonehiswritinganentirebookfullofdisgust.
Lifecanbeuglyenoughasitis!
FATUR(HTTP://LITHU.COM/CATGORY/FATUR/)
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X C R P T ( H T T P : ayearago
Dr.VickiBurrichter //LITHU.COM/CATGORY/XCRPT/)

FINALLY,someonesayswhatneedstosaidaboutthisawfulbook.ItriedtoreadLolitaandcould
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not.Itmademesicktomystomach.Althoughafeminist,I'malsoanartistandhavelovedand
advocatedforallkindsofcontroversialbooks.Ionlyask:whenarewegoingtostopthinkingthat
LITH UDAILY(HTTP://LITHU.COM/CATGORY/LITHU_DAILY/)
booksaboutwomenandchildren(especially)beingabusedarefinesubjectsforartandworksof
"genius?"Bleech.
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