Erykah Foss

Mr. Pace
DC English IV, 1st
Lolita Essay
7 January 2020
America’s Morals

In the 1950s America had just won World War II, and the American Dream was in full

bloom. Vladimir Nabokov’s novel, Lolita, was published in 1958. It was a challenge for readers

to set aside their moral beliefs long enough to see the world through the eyes of a troubled man,

Humbert Humbert, who fell in love with a child nicknamed Lolita. That glimpse was enough to

expose some uncomfortable realities that were hiding within the American Dream. Nabakov

criticizes American culture through his novel to challenge Americans to set aside their own

moral beliefs.

Appearances and wealth are the weaknesses of shallow Americans. Relationships built on

these foundations typically do not last because their partners ultimately bore each other because

they have nothing in common, which leads to broken hearts. Charlotte almost immediately

becomes infatuated with Humbert’s European charm and intelligence. She writes a letter

confessing her love: “The fact of your remaining would only mean one thing: that you want me

as much as I do you... and that you are ready to link up your life with mine forever and ever and

be a father to my little girl” (68). Humbert is revolted because he wants to focus on Lolita, but he

figures a marriage will bring him the closest to his love. People should find someone compatible

with their personality and interests, not someone with looks and money, to live a content life.

Americans love to be sold items they want in an impulse. Commercials surround society,

creating an environment where it is simple to find a product of instant craving. Humbert believes

that Lolita “was to whom ads were dedicated: the ideal consumer, the subject and object of every
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foul poster” (148). Once she sees a sign about souvenirs or ice-cold drinks, she listens to it and

instantly drags Humbert to each place, fascinated with their merchandise. Humbert, unimpressed

with the commercialism and consumerism of America’s culture, gives in to Lolita’s wants so that

she remains happy. The pleasure makes it worth wasting money, even though it is a temporary

feeling.

Puritanical behavior is deeply rooted in American culture. In the time era of Lolita’s

publication, people were obsessed with living the American Dream with the perfect house and

family that go to church twice a week. This made it nearly impossible to even consider

something as dark as pedophilia. Nabakov’s novel opened the lid on the ugly beast that was

hiding in plain sight in America. Humbert warns Lolita that she “should be careful of those

surrenders of [hers]... You must be careful. There are things that should never be given up. You

must persevere” (209). Lolita symbolizes Americans and their ignorance towards grotesque acts.

They refuse to accept these are part of their reality because it terrifies them, but the first step to

fixing a problem is confronting it. Through the quote, Nabakov asks his audience to endure his

character’s story so that they can observe the fine literature that is hidden in plain sight.

Simple-minded Americans have many flaws that Nabakov highlights in his novel Lolita,

which teaches its audience about the importance of an open mind. Without one, it would be

nearly impossible to read through this novel due to Humbert’s disgusting nature. Nabokov does

more than dare readers to enter a taboo world: Lolita challenges readers to suspend their moral

judgments in a brazen way, like throwing down a gauntlet. The price of not accepting the

challenge is to forever live as a sheep in a world where wolves lurk in the shadows. Accepting

the challenge, on the other hand, involves taking an honest look at society and at one’s self.