Section 4: Analysis of Themes

One of the prevailing themes presented in the novel was related to the contrast between bygone ideas and contemporary ideas and how some of the newer ideas reflected a more self-interested society influenced by forces of manipulation by comumerism. Humbert contrasts Europe's old world setting and beauty through description in the beginning of the novel, and then describes its social niceties saying initially he was just a typical "polite European" showing that he believed that Europeans were typically graceous which he contrasts with how he viewed Americans, often describing them as "whores" (37). He and also stated that the Arcadian American wild didn't offer the ability to " indulge in the most ancient of all crimes and pastimes" but instead "innocent surrender" (168) showing that he felt the intrinsic qualities- like freedom in his opinion to love who you want- present in other countries were not apparent in America.

Throughout the two years traveling around the U.S with Lolita, Humbert recounts the countless "Sunset Motels, U-Beam Cottages, Hillcrest Courts, Pine View Courts, Mountain View Courts, Skyline Courts, Park Plaza Courts, Green Acres, Mac’s Courts" that he saw with contemptuous  disdain (148). The contrast in setting and social structure also very clearly relates to the two societies described in Brave New World  by Aldous Huxley. A rather negative description of the unsatisfactory, undeveloped Reservation is given when compared to the advancements and technology of the new society. However, this novel also presents the positives and negatives of both locations and lets the reader decide which one they view as more desirable. We only get one point of view from Lolita: the negative view of America from Humbert's perspective. This shows that while the two books are similar in subject, Nabokov writing style does not allow the reader any differing viewpoints or the ability to choose their own viewpoint on the setting, as Humbert gives only a cynical description of America compared to his luxurious life in Europe.

Humbert also contrasts contemporary and traditional ideas through presenting the contrasting personalities and interests of Lolita and Humbert, Lolita being characterized as a "typical" American teenager, showing that while he detests aspects about her it really has to do with society and the traditional customs and social practices that were common at the time that he detested. In the story Humbert is characterized as being sophisticated, having a highly prestigious education, and growing up in upper class european background with a love of writing and reading, and often refers to himself as "dark-and-handsome" which shows that he is very confident in himself (187). He characterizes Lolita however often as immature and dependent on others, as I have stated in previous posts. Humbert also says that Lolita was "the little deadly demon among the wholesome children" and as having some "elusive, shifty, soul-shattering, insidious charm" that separates her from the other girls who he views as being  "dependent on the practical world of synchronous phenomena" and "provisionally plain and "ordinary" (19). This not only shows Humbert's view of Lolita as being something special among a world of children who are focused on unimportant "synchronous phenomena", but also that he thinks that they are all similar as demonstrated when he explains that all other girls are just "ordinary" compared to her. However Humbert also discusses how she is the epitome of a new generation of thinking that's interests and objectives he dislikes. Humbert discusses his contempt with Lolita's interests: " Sweet hot jazz, square dancing, gooey fudge sundaes, musicals, movie magazines and so forth—these were the obvious items in her list of beloved things" and because of them he "found her to be a disgustingly conventional little girl" (150). This again demonstrates his derision towards American cultural ideas and customs. He also describes Lolita's naivety towards advertisements and consumerism when he states that "If some café sign proclaimed Icecold Drinks, she was automatically stirred, although all drinks everywhere were ice-cold. She it was to whom ads were dedicated: the ideal consumer, the subject and object of every foul poster" and that she believed "with a kind of celestial trust, any advertisement or advice that appeared" in popular media forms such as her magazines and in movies (150). Humbert then goes on to describe all of Lolita's naiveness like buying something just because it sounded interesting or nice or someone else said you needed it.

This idea was a large part of the judgement of American culture by Humbert, he viewed Americans as being materialistic and having a strange desire for superfluous items. Humbert is quick to judge and does not take time to get to know people, especially Lolita because his is overwhelmed with desire when he is around her.  I believe that the author is trying to demonstrate a point about American culture through the description of these characters, and maybe explain to us in a way that we can understand, how our interests and consumer nature might be reprehensible. These ideas of consumerism reflect on our current society as we see the ever pressing issue of advertisement surrounding us in our daily lives and pursuits, on our social media, in magazines and articles we read, on signs everywhere we go, and on the television. Readers now days can understand most of the references that Nabokov makes about the media influencing individuals interests and views of themselves and others, because the issue with photoshop and idealistic body types in models affecting young girls eating behaviors and confidence is a controversial subject being discussed today. This along with the issue of consumerism which is an obvious issue with Americans in the "land of plenty", is discussed in depth in Lolita. Nabokov might be demonstrating the negative result of such practices through adressing the result of Lolita's life where she was forced to please other men to acquire things she desired. This I believe shows another one of the themes that Nabokov was trying to prove by writing the book: that material items don't lead to happiness and only when someone frees themselves of the desire for possessions taking control of certain aspects of their lives, can they truly be happy. Unfortunately Lolita never escapes this fate in this novel because she accepts bribes from Humbert which he offers to her in return for her affection and even when she escapes Humbert she continues to do the same with other people. I also believe Nabokov may have written this in because believes and understands that it is not easy to break the chain of consumerism, but that if it is not broken it could be detrimental to the moral of American teenagers, and people in general.