Humbert\'s Metamorphosis in Lolita in Vladimir Nabokov\'s

Humbert's Metamorphosis In Lolita

In Vladimir Nabokov's famous novel, Lolita, the character of Hubert Humbert gradually changes from a man who refuses to accept responsibility for his own actions to someone who begins to understand the implications of his own free will. Humbert is a clever, articulate man who uses his many wiles to manipulate the lives of those around them, largely to fulfill his desire for the nymphet Lolita. Eventually, Humbert loses Lolita, an event that makes him reconsider his role in the events of his life.

Throughout the novel, Humbert is portrayed as an educated, literate man who uses his considerable charm and intelligence to go after whatever he wants in life, regardless of the consequences. Humbert is traumatized by the early death of his young lover, Annabel Leigh, leaving him with an attraction to young, attractive women. Humbert meets the young Lolita, the daughter of his repugnant landlady Haze, and is soon consumed by desire for Lolita. He marries Haze simply to remain close to Lolita, and eventually kidnaps Lolita and travels around the country with her for two years. Over time, it becomes clear to Humbert that Lolita has an attraction to other men, and yet he continues to insist that she remain his alone. During this time, and even later in the novel, Humbert continues to insist that he is driven only by fate. He continues to describe himself as a pawn of fate, and as such he cannot be held accountable for his actions. This line of reasoning continues even as Humbert rather brutally kills Quilty, Lolita's husband.