Later, however, Charlotte tells Humbert that she wants to send Lolita to camp. He is so upset he fakes a toothache and visits Dr. Quilty. Lolita leaves for camp, but before she leaves, she runs back and kisses Humbert. From here forward Humbert finds himself in a love triangle. Charlotte reveals in a letter her feelings for Humbert and insists if he doesn’t feel the same, he must leave. Realizing this is his only way to stay close to Lolita, he agrees to marry Charlotte. Humbert finds Mrs. Haze doting upon him tolerable, and impatiently waits for Lolita’s return. However, while at the lake with friends, Charlotte reveals that she intends to send Lolita to a boarding school. Infuriated, Humbert considers killing her there at the lake. The two make up, and Humbert goes to a doctor for his “insomnia” to get sleeping pills which he intends to drug Charlotte and Lolita. While he's gone, Charlotte finds the key to his desk and finds his journal detailing his love for Lolita. Charlotte leaves a letter saying she intends to leave with Lolita. As Humbert waits for her, he begins to fashion a lie about how the notes are for a novel he is writing. But as he is mixing his drink and planning his lie, he receives a call that Charlotte was hit by a car. Once again, McFate steps in when he needs it.
Discussion Questions
- How are Charlotte and Humbert alike in their pursuits of love?
- How is Nabokov comparing Europe with America in the characters of Humbert and Charlotte?
- Nabokov uses beautiful and lyrical prose to describe the sexual encounter with Lolita on the couch. Does this language seduce the reader into being less disturbed?
1- it's actually very simmilar, the sort of shared blind romance that Charlotte has for Humbert, and that Humbert has for Lolita. Both fantastical and extraordinary. The parallels are uncanny, besides of course her less than elegant diction when compared to Humbert.
ReplyDeleteThe comparison between America (Charlotte)and Europe (Humbert)is especially interesting. Obviously there are some underlying tones that Humbert is more intellectual, more of a thinker, while Charlotte's home is messy, almost repulsive to Humbert to the point of immediately wanting to leave, before he sees Lo, of course. I'm sure more and more clever social commentary will continue as we press on.
2.Nabokov may be airing some of his own European pretensions in how he has crafted the very different characters of Humbert and Charlotte. Humbert is controlled, intellectual, composed and reserved. Traits the author likely would want readers to connect with a European sensibility. Charlotte on the other hand is wildly ungraceful, oblivious, classless and persistent. It's not hard to decode the views Nabokov held at the time of Americans, probably specifically American women. Even Lolita embodies some of these uncouth qualities.
ReplyDelete