Student Question

Is "Lolita" truly innocent, or did circumstances contribute to her situation?

Quick answer:

"Lolita" is not truly innocent, as circumstances significantly contribute to her situation. While her behavior and wit suggest a lack of naivete, her experiences with Humbert highlight a tragic loss of innocence. Humbert's abuse, despite Lolita's initial actions, marks a clear divergence between her expectations and harsh reality, leading to her eventual indifference and acceptance of her new, grim reality.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

"Lolita" is a novel so skillfully and artistically written that the reader almost accepts the memoir as a "love story." Told from the point of view of Humbert Humbert, the reader is unsure what actually transpires.  Nevertheless, one does know that Humbert marries Charlotte Haze in order to be close to the twelve-year-old daughter.

In Part II Charlotte/Lolita is taken to a motel after her mother's death, Humbert climbs into bed with her after she falls asleep.  He narrates, "I am going to tell  you something very strange: It was she who seduced me." After waking, as Lolita kisses Humbert, he notices that she has knowledge of kissing, he whispers--she is a "nymphet."  He finds no "traces of modesty in this beautiful...girl."  Humbert claims no interest in the "elements of animality";his is a greater endeavor: "to fix once for all the perilous magic of nymphets."

Despite her lack of naivete, Lolita does not...

Unlock
This Answer Now

Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.

Get 48 Hours Free Access

seem to be truly experienced.  For, after a couple of weeks, the girl seems listless and unhappy, an indication that she probably was not truly interested in a relationship, instead, she may have felt the need to show her sophistication to the man whom her mother had seduced--a type of feminine jealousy/competiveness,perhaps.

Approved by eNotes Editorial