quotablebookquotes discussion

Pages 154 - 236

There is just so much going on now.

First, I was confused because I thought Lolita was younger than 12 when Humbert first met her because of the way she acted, but I suppose being at camp matured her. Did anyone else have some trouble with that? When she first met him, she seemed child-like, but whenever he picked her up from camp, she was snappy and more demanding. Now she's becoming super independent, which I'm happy about. I would've been irate if she depended on him or didn't rebel.

Second, how in the world does Humbert expect to keep Lolita treating her the way he does? Number one indicator to him should be when she cries after she thinks he's sleeping. He gives her money after she performs whatever he wants her to, he invades her privacy, keeps a watch on her 24/7, limits her activities in school and with others... No wonder she's acting against him. It's disgusting how abusive he is to her, and he thinks it's love.

Also, further proving he's in need of some help, he goes to the beach with her like Annabel. He has some problems with closure... If I read that part right, he agrees too.

I don't know why he doesn't leave her alone. She's 14, he recognizes she isn't the same nymphet she was before, she isn't interested in anything he shows her, she's always telling him to go away or asking what he's doing whenever he advances her... Ugh.

I thought it was interesting the play was called "The Enchanted Hunters" like the first motel they stayed at. I'm so glad Lolita also remembered that and she even recognized that she was raped there (also strengthening my opinion she didn't seduce him the first time they had sex at the Enchanted Hunters and he really raped her but his unreliable narration made it seem like she gave consent). It's really creepy how she calls him "dad" but I think that's her intention, like maybe trying to see if it revolts him as much as it does the rest of society?

And with her missing piano lessons and being on the phone, plus mapping out their trip, I have a good feeling Lolita knows who the man in the car following them is, and was probably sleeping with him. Remember when she mentioned Quilty earlier in the novel? His name has been showing up more and more, so possibly it's him?

Last section is next, we'll see Humbert and Lolita's fate with the last quarter!