LITERATURE: Lolita – Hidden Within Words

Nabokov has Humbert struggling with his conscience in a way consistent with his personality which is that of sardonic acceptance.  His description to the reader of his days spent with Lolita runs the gamut of self-justification to disgust, and his presentation is often put forth in saracasm. While he shows a general disdain for the people he meets during their cross-country travel, he also realizes that he is at their mercy should they catch drift of the real relationship between him and his stepdaughter.

Lolita as well is described in many ways as their time together makes him more aware of her childish self centered behavior.  Humbert is also very much aware of her knowledge of her power over him, and while he is in control of the situation, he is also very mindful of–and almost enjoys being so–the tenuous grip he holds on his paradise and how hell itself looms into view.

Here, Humbert is taking inventory of the financial toll the year has taken and the changes that has Lolita growing into a young woman–beginning to lose, in a sense, a part of her appeal.  But e find something more in his laundry list:

We had been everywhere.  We had really seen nothing.  And I catch myself thinking today that our long journey had only defiled with a sinuous trail of slime the lovely, trustful, dreamy, enormous country that by then, in retrospect, was no more to us than a collection of dog-eared maps, ruined tour books, old tires, and her sobs in the night–every night, every night–the moment I feigned sleep.  (p. 175)

Humbert obviously was not interested in the countryside that was his freedom, his "paradise."  And I’m sure he doesn’t feel guilty about it, especially to the extreme of feeling that he has defiled it.  So, what is the country, the space, that he feels he has defiled?  Is it the whole of life itself, or mankind?

And we find out two very interesting bits of information here, since we’re totally dependent upon the first person pov of Humbert to give us his version and feelings as he chooses.  Why does the toughened Lolita sob in the night, "every night, every night?"  Nabokov has heretofore given us a young girl who, while pretty street-smart, was not a very sensitive individual except when is helped her learn how to manipulate others.

And Humbert–feigning sleep?  Why, we’re left to wonder.