Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Lolita turns fifty

By Barbara Biggs - posted Friday, 2 December 2005


As I read in a piece in 'Spectrum' (Sun Herald, 26/11/05), “it is literature’s ability to take us into the mind world of another that is its differentiating power”.

Too true. In fact Lolita is one of my favourite books for that reason. But I loved Nabokov for not entirely abandoning Lolita to Humbert’s mindset despite his literary imperative.

He clearly describes, albeit in one paragraph, how Lolita’s cheeks are wet, while Humbert holds her head in his lap while he is in the throws of ecstasy. The girl is crying - hardly a willing subject.

Advertisement

Later, when Lolita is limp with fever, Humbert feels so sorry for her the strength of his compassion turns to lust. Lolita’s body, dripping in sweat and almost dead, becomes like a rag doll as he satisfies his “passion”.

These two images, although only two paragraphs in the whole book, expose the true horror and extent of Humbert’s justification of his lust.

Anyone reading it closely could not fail to see these signposts for what they are. Clear indications of what’s really going on. The only shame is that with only a couple of paragraphs, it’s all too easy for those who want to be blind to the hideous damage and distortion of a young girl’s innocence, are all too easily able to keep their blinkers on.

But surely now, 50 years on, we’ve come of age as a society and are able make and view the shocking truth of child sexual abuse through a Lolita film which includes these two scenes with an actress who looks like a child of 12.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All

First published in the Daily Telegraph on November 29, 2005.



Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

67 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Barbara Biggs is a former journalist and author of a two-part autobiography, In Moral Danger and The Road Home, launched in May 2004 by Peter Hollingworth and Chat Room in 2006. Her latest book is Sex and Money: How to Get More. Barbara is convenor of the National Council for Children Post-Separation, www.nccps.org.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Barbara Biggs

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Barbara Biggs
Article Tools
Comment 67 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy