Lolity Moralita

When speaking of the morality of the novel Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov, one should establish and keep in mind that the it is a Tragicomedy told from a criminal point of view who either has no morals, a lack there of, or invalid morals. Humbert Humbert, a pedofile and murderer, places himself as the victim, because the accounts of the novel are meant to be recited to an audience much like a jury, as her refers to the reader as “ladies and gentlemen of the jury” in the opening portion of the novel and similar accounts throughout. The case being about the murder of Clare Quilty as he tries to justify the reason for his actions, he reveals an oblong affair with a young girl by the name of Dolores Haze.
Throughout the novel Humbert descirbes in exqusiste and elaborate detail the numerous accounts of his unconventional love with this twelve year old child whom he believes to be a Nymphet. The use of extraordianry detail in a poetic fashion lends the reader some form of consolence for his losses, as he traces his attributes to a previous loss of Annabel Leigh. He uses this event along with past scandelous relationships in other civilizations to make his perdicament appear justified in some fashion. By simply giving a name to the “class” of children that Dolores (Lo, Lola, Dolly, or simply Lolita) is theorized to be appart of gives Humbert some form of validity. However, while he does explain his motive of thinking, he expresses that he realizes that what he is feeling and acting upon is wrong in the sense that society does not approve, which in turn makes himself feel ashamed. “...and soon I found myself maturing amid a civilization which allows a man of twenty-five to court a girl of sixteen but not a girl of twelve.” Humbert, also attempts to realize that all children aren't nymphets, and even states how he would steadfastly refrain from corrupting the innosence of a child. He even goes as far to say that Lola was the one who instigated the initial intercourse with Humbert, which even further places him as the victim in this situation.“Humbert Humbert tried hard to be good. Really and truly, he did.” In this comically ironic sence we are believed to be pittying Humbert.
Not only is he morally corrupt in the sexual sence, but in the empathical sence as well. From the day that he lost his dear Annabel Leigh, he began to grow cold in his emotions toward other women, particularly women of his age at the time. He constantly thinks of his obsession with discovering another like Annabel, but doesn't come to fruition until he is destiny brings him to Lo, who is at the same nymphet age as Annabel, however Annabel was not a nymphet herself, as Humbert was her equal then. This in no way means the sexual actions attempted by them were any better than with an older man. As a murderer he also briefly contemplates killing Charlotte Haze by drowning her, but never executes it because of an interuption, yet doesn't think of the ramifications it could reflect on Dolly. Even after her unfortunate death, he feels only a slight remorse for her loss, but is overcome by his desire to be close to Lolita.
In a sense, Humbert is constucting and integrating himself into a moral light to try and persuade the reader in seeing another side of moral views, however, the social standards of that time and current trends produce a moral that is generally frowned upon. The sexual corruption of a child by another adult, whether she had experienced it before or not, is immoral especially in Humbert's case where he has gained parental right and uses it to keep Dolores from escaping his grasp. Through the use of lies and deception, Humbert has fabricated a moral to the story.