“Lolita” by Vladymir Nabokov Essay

The relationship between Humbert Humbert and Lolita, is highly undefined. Many readers who pee read Lolita find it to be based on lust, firearm others find Humbert to truly be in love with his Lolita. However, there is turn up that Humberts desire for Lolita is based on some obsessive-compulsive style which he can non require, and therefore keeps move for her. Humberts obsessions can be understandably recognized in his behaviors when looked upon in H. R. Beechs fixational States and Andrew marges Obsession and Culture A Study of Sexual Obsession in Modern Fictions perception of what obsession is. Humberts obsessional tendencies are displayed in many passages through his descriptive record book choices and his over bearing personality, such as when he describes Lolita after returning from camp to be, all rose and honey, ressed in her brightest gingham, with a pattern of teeny red apples,with scratches like tiny dotted lines of coagulated rubies, and the ribbed cuffs of her innocence whacks were turned down.Obsession can be a difficult publication because there is not a finite rendering of what obsession truly is. Who determines what obsession is? When does deep admiration pass and obsession begin? fit to S. Jack Rachman an obsession is an intrusive, repetitive thought, image, or impulse that is unacceptable or unwanted and gives rise to subjective resistance (2). Furthermore, Andrew edge states that the popular significance of the term obsession, including the new-sprung(prenominal) verb to obsess, which means to be persistently preoccupied most something, usually in an unsatisfactory relationship (195). These similar definitions are weighty when looking at Humberts actions because his actions are perceived by these qualities.First, Brink argues that most people befuddle an obsessional defense, and this defense is brought out of work force due to their fear of wo custody. More specifically, this defense mechanism is explained as the interna lization of bipolar impulses to both accept and reject the same attachment fair game (195). He further describes it as a defense in which the internalized take is split into accepting and rejecting aspects by which the person gains quasi-independence from her by identifying with her. (Nabokov, 112) This conception is present in Humberts relationship with Charolette Haze.By Humbert describing Charlotte upon there first contact with the poor lady in her middle thirties, she had a shiny forehead, draw eyebrows and quite simple (Nabokov, 37)Furthermore, Humbert states, Had Charlotte been Valaria, I would have have it awayn how to handle the stance by specifiedly twisting fat Valechkas brittle radiocarpal joint but anything of the sort in regard to Charlotte was unthinkable (83) as a way of letting the reader understand his scent out of fear, his lack of go through, and his despondency to regain his feeling of fancy. In hopes of regaining his lost sense of control Humbert plo ts to kill Charlotte with out her in his way Lolita would be his, and he would have full control over her. However, Humbert never went through with his scheme for the mere reason, poets never kill (Nabokov, 88) In accordance to Brinks definition of obsession, Humbert seems to fall elusively into obsessional defense in the sense that obsessive mens fear of women also manifests itself as control (196)Humberts intent to be controlling throughout the fresh leads the reader to believe he is obsessive. Throughout the novel Humbert remains in control most of the time, not only in control of the characters, but also in control of the readers. For example, Humbert tries to control the reader by making them believe his side of the fable to be true Frigid gentlewomen of the juryI am breathing out to tell you something very strange it was she who seduced me (Nabokov, 132). Humbert also tries to influence the therapists, stating, I notice there was an endless source of robust enjoyment in measly with psychiatrists cunningly leading them on never letting them see that you know all the tricks of the trade inventing for all them elaborate dreams,teasing them with fake primordial scenes (34).Brink, commenting on this scene stated the sadistic, controlling intent of this statement of crafty better than the therapist is typical of obsessional patients (102). Humbert has this need to feel he is in complete control. When the control is lost, a desire to retain his sense of dominance can overcome him. This is best presented to the reader as Humbert kills Quilty to the highest degree the end of the novel. Although previously not taking the opportunity to kill Charlotte, Humbert has already lost his control over Lolita, his love, and therefore finds killing Quilty as a way of having some sort of control recuperated. Walking through Quiltys house, previous to murdering him,Humbert locked as many doors as he could, controlling where Quilty could retrograde to. (Nabokov, 294) However, after the murder, turn swerving back and forth along the road, Humbert is halt by the police, and at that point gives up full control for insanity. (306-307) And therefore, upon losing control it is discovered Humbert truly is obsessive.Humberts obsessiveness is also conveyed through the words he uses, and the descriptions he gives his language conveys obsession. For instance, after Humberts first knowledgeable encounter with Lolita he describes her as brown, naked, frail Lo, her narrow white quarter to me, her sulky face to a door mirror, stood arms a akimbo, feet (in new slippers with pussy-fur tops) wide apart(Nabokov, 137-138). By remembering such detail while in jail years after the incident it seems quite percipient that Humbert had an obsessive nature. This is also conveyed when he describes Lolita as naked, except for one sock and her charm bracelet, a velvet hair ribbon was still clutched in her hand her honey-brown body, with the white negative image of a ru dimentary swimsuit patterned against her tan (125).Lolita is a very complicated novel to try out due to the many interpretations made by different individuals. However, it is apparent that Humbert was pathetic from some sort of obsessive disorder. It is apparent merely in what Humbert talks about and how he says it. There are few instances in the novel where Humbert is not speaking about Lolita or fascinating about having downright domination over nymphets.