Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Lolita Response #4
In order to keep Lolita from going to the police, as she said she would, he threatens her into staying by mostly scaring her, "So I go to jail. But what happens to you, my orphan? Well, you are luckier. You become the ward of the Department of Public Welfare-which I am afraid sounds a little bleak. A nice grim matron of the Miss Phalen type, but more rigid and not a drinking woman, will take away your lipstick and fancy clothes. No more gadding about!"(pg. 151). By showing her how horrible her life would be if she left him, she doesn't tell anyone. They end up going around the country for the better half of the year, or practically a full year, before they settle somewhere and he finally lets her go to school. I found it interesting that he does in fact let her go to school, and that he has learned to trust her enough. Which obviously proves to be a mistake.
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We see here a stark change from their earlier, more playful relationship. Humbert here, after the shift that is clearly marked by his experience at the Enchanted Hunters hotel, appears to no longer be the poet-trickster-fool. Instead, he seems like the worst kind of parent (using threats and bribes), while also being a child molester. You know, for a theme / paper, you could do a comparison of the evolution from The Enchanter to Lolita. Obviously, this is a big subject since the style is so much more sophisticated in the later book. But you could dwell on common episodes: the argument about school; the use of gifts; the imagery of running away with the girl to a tropical paradise; the theme of enchantment - and comment on how these elements come across differently in Lolita. In case you don't like this suggestion, your post also touches on the theme of control and Humbert's need to control his life - partly because he fears discovery, partly to get what he wants, and partly - it's just his character. His methods of control become less subtle as the story goes on and ultimately he is being manipulated by others, it appears.
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