So, I recentley finished a large thesis paper on Lolita, specifically focusing on the character of Humbert Humbert. As I finished the paper, I raised an interesting question for myself. I argued in my paper that Humbert was trying to manipulate the reader into sympathizing with him, but ultimately failed because he makes the act of manipulation too conspicuous to the reader.
I realized, however, that because the reader realizes how much Humbert lies to them, it is impossible to judge him at all. The reader has no reliable information to go by. So do you think that might have been his true goal? To make it impossible for the reader to judge him at all? Or do you think it was something else entirely?
I realized, however, that because the reader realizes how much Humbert lies to them, it is impossible to judge him at all. The reader has no reliable information to go by. So do you think that might have been his true goal? To make it impossible for the reader to judge him at all? Or do you think it was something else entirely?