Lit Literature

Humbert referenced some events that were happening in America during the 1950s throughout the story. Here are some of the stories or stories that apply to the novel Lolita . Flu Causing Schools to Close (1947) On page 40 in the novel, Humbert refers to a flu outbreak that was so bad that the local schools needed to be closed. This was one of the events that are noted in the book that is actually true. There was a big flu outbreak in 1947 that caused many schools to close until the sickness blew over.  Not all of the references found in Lolita are true events since Humbert has created his own reality in his mind. Readers can’t be sure which details are facts or make-believe until they research them. Humbert’s suicide (1950s) The suicide rates for people in the 1950s is very similar to what the rate is for today (2016).  This shows that the suicide of Humbert wouldn’t have been shocking for readers or uncommon for the time.  It’s reasonable that Humbert would be...

Movies and TV shows can be very influential towards young girl’s minds, so if Lolita saw any of these shows or movies while growing up, then she may have been swayed to think that her “relationship” with Humbert was normal. “I Love Lucy” (1951-1957) produced by Desilu Productions (Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball) photo from https://ilovelucyandricky.fandom.com/wiki/%27%27I_Love_Lucy%27%27_series_cast       This show is supposed to be a picture-perfect family of a husband and wife highlighting their adventures being married. A show like this would be one that any girl would see and immediately want to have a relationship like the one portrayed in the show. Theoretically, Lolita could have seen this show and therefore thought that her relationship with Humbert was okay because she may have wanted a similar relationship to that which Lucy and Desi had on TV. She could also have felt similar to Lucy in that she would get into trouble or do troublesome things yet Humbe...

One of the greatest artists of the 1950s was Frank Sinatra who mostly sang love songs. Usually, these would all be very sweet songs, but if you think about them as if you were Humbert, then they can easily be twisted into something more sinister. “Come Fly with Me” by Frank Sinatra (1957) This song is obviously an innocent love song about running away with your lover, but it can also be taken to be a bit creepy when you listen to it from Lolita’s or Humbert’s perspective. The lyrics are “Once I get you up there/I’ll be holding you so near/You might hear/ All the angels cheer because we’re together” which is normally quite sweet, but it’s reminiscent of how Humbert ran away with Lolita after her mother died. Humbert may have listened to this song and felt inspired to kidnap Lolita so they could be together forever. Though any normal person wouldn’t take this song like that, someone who clearly has mental issues can get this message out of the song.  “...