Samantha Reichstein

2December2014
ENG 314L
Aaron Moore
Lolita, the Follower of Fate
Vladmir Nabokovs Lolita depicts the promiscuous, roller-coaster relationship of a thirtyeight year old man with a twelve-year-old girl. While many focus on Humbert Humberts
controlling manners that lead to the destruction of Lolita, few recognize that Lolitas life proves
doomed from the start because of an overlying twist of fate. Through her uncanny resemblances
to Annabelle, uncontrollable life changes, and the inescapable encounter of her ultimate defeat,
Lolitas life seemed destined to spiral out of control not from characters actions, but through
predetermined, uncontrollable decisions.
Mirroring Annabelle in all ways possible, Lolitas entrance into Humberts life allowed
no escape for what lied ahead. Humbert prefaces his love for Lolita by explaining his first
romantic encounter with Annabelle Leigh. Explaining that, . . . there might have been no Lolita
at all had I not loved, one summer, a certain initial girl-child, 1 Lolitas unintentional
resemblances to Annabelle allow no room for her to go unnoticed. By some cause of fate,
Lolitas first encounter with Humbert mirrors quite perfectly his relationship many summers ago.
Mimicking the setting of Humberts sexual relations as a child, Lolitas entrance in a garden
sparks a flood of memories that place her as Humberts main fixation. By no means did Lolita
choose to embody the, . . . same frail, honey hued shoulders, the same silky suppler bare back,
[or] the same chestnut head of hair, 2 that sparked Humberts initial attraction, nor did Humbert
1 Vladmir Nabokov, The Annotated Lolita (edited by Alfred Appel, Jr.), (US: Vintage Books
Edition, 1991), p 9.
2 Nabokov, 38.

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purposefully choose this nymphet to stick out beyond others. A fallen woman even before he
pursues her, 3 Lolitas unfortunate resemblance to Humberts memories create a lust she has no
idea exists. Perhaps if Humbert had met Lolita in the kitchen instead of the garden, or saw her
full face instead of the dark glasses, Lolitas life may have continued without much interruption.
However, fates act of combining all of these elements together in one defying moment creates
the spiral Lolitas life begins to take.
Though Humberts wishes of possession are voiced throughout the story, fate itself guides Lolita
into Humberts life. With ideas of England and boarding school haunting Lolitas absence, a plan
to permanently get rid of Charlotte proves Humberts only salvation towards attaining Lolita for
himself. However, a realization that fate, not Humbert, controls the path of Lolitas life begins to
form. McFates first instance occurs as Charlotte receives notice that Lolitas boarding school
plans are on hold, and that, if Mr. and Mrs. Humbert brought Dolores over in January,
admittance might be arranged. 4 With fears of Lolitas absence quickly vanishing away,
Humbert soon gains another victory at the hands of McFate yet again. In a quick decision to walk
outside, Humberts prayers (and ultimate goals) of removing Charlotte from the equation occur
in an abrupt car accident taking her life. With both Lolitas schooling and mother vanishing
through a supernatural power, fate leaves Lolita with no other choice but to continue life with
Humbert Humbert. There was possibly no way for Lolita to intervene with these events as both
gave great surprise to Humbert as well. Leading the path of her abrupt transitions, fate proves the
ultimate factor in determining Lolitas future plans, while Humbert Humbert is merely along for
the ride as an indirect force in the situation.
3 Goldman, Eric. 2004. Knowing Lolita: Sexual Deviance and Normality in Nabokovs
Lolita. Nabokov Studies Vol 8. Project Muse (accessed November 29, 2014).
4 Nabokov, 93-94.

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Against Humbert Humberts will, the unavoidable interactions of Clare Quilty lead to Lolitas
unfortunate demise. Whimsically deciding to settle down in Beardsley allows fate to change its
course, acting against Humbert in all ways possible and eventually backfiring onto Lolita.
Beardsley brings Lolita freedoms unattainable in previous settings, such as the opportunity of
joining her school play The Enchanted Hunters. Assuming, . . . the playlet was just another,
practically anonymous, version of some banal legend, 5 Humberts initial attitudes of
overprotection and paranoia seem to vanish, though a clear parallel should have sparked
attention. No longer questioning Lolita on exact locations and people (such as her soda pop
interrogation), fate tricks Humberts mind that his lifes quick choice to settle down proves
successful with no repercussions. This mindset only further helps Quilty, the plays director, in
forming a romantic connection to Lolita. Lolita views this interaction as one seemingly fate-like,
since it provides an escape from the hands of Humbert, and into the arms of a childhood crush.
With both Humbert and Lolita act ignorantly blissful at their newfound luck, both eventually feel
the harsh effects of fates consequences.
A call stating Lolita, . . . checked out the day before [with] her uncle, Mr. Gustave, 6 gives
Humbert the realization Lolita has vanished from his life forever. Connecting the dots rather
quickly, Quiltys unshakeable presence throughout Humbert and Lolitas journey proves the sole
reason of Lolitas disappearance. If only Humbert had acted on his previous intuition, him and
Lolita may have stayed together. However, a supernatural force allowed Humber to not question
all of these eerie coincidences, forming a gap large enough for Lolita to escape through. In the
same sense, Lolita soon feels the consequences of her decisions as well. Shaken up in tears
5 Nabokov, 200.
6 Nabokov, 246.

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describing the events of her and Quiltys life together, Lolita states memories of, . . . crazy
things, filthy things . . . [with] [him] kick[ing] me out. 7 It becomes clear to Lolita that for
Quilty, the pursuit of [her] was only a challenging game, 8 with banishment occurring once she
refused to cooperate. Who knows if Lolitas life may have turned out better if staying with
Humbert, however the faulty-presence of a quick escape to happily ever after ruins Lolita on an
even deeper level than before. Fates capabilities of rash decisions, ignorance of potential threats,
and false happiness bring Humberts life to a standstill, as well as negatively bringing down
Lolita as well.
The underlying theme of fate in Nabokovs Lolita brings a new outlook on the events of Dolores
Hazes life. Guidance towards Humbert and Quilty occur solely at the hands of fate itself.
Lolitas life of a shortened childhood, unconventional relationships, and complete downfall of a
character stem from a basis uncontrollable to anyone, with only the side effects determined by
those around her. The determining factor of Lolitas broken-down character forms though fates
spiraling turn of events in her life.

7 Nabokov, 277.
8 Gomez. 1994. Doubles, Deceit and Reflexive Narrative in Two Novels by Vladimir Nabokov.
Miscelanea 15, (accessed December 01, 2014).

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