Vladimir Nabokov

NABOKV-L post 0016222, Sat, 19 Apr 2008 14:49:20 -0400

Subject
QUERY re: Lolita's subjectivity (Lolita vs. Dolores)
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Thanks to R. S. Gwynn for raising an important point about the names used in film adaptations of the novel.

Jansy Mello is correct, too. The character is often called "Lolita" in Nabokov's screenplay (and, more to the point, is referred to as "Lolita" in directions and dialogue cues). Although I don't have my copies of the published screenplays for Kubrick's and Lyne's film adaptations here at home, I am reasonably confident that there, too, she is called "Lolita." Indeed, Nabokov himself, in alluding to his character in "On a Book Entitled Lolita" or in interviews, almost always calls her Lolita.

Nevertheless, in the novel itself, I find a difference between Humbert's pet name and her other names. I also find it ironic--and yet completely understandable--that Humbert's name for her is the one that is commonly used.

SES

P.S. Thanks also to Marie Bouchet for citing Christine Raguet's comments and for pointing out how Humbert's attitude toward the name "Lolita" extends to other aspects of his interaction with her.

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