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Lolita (fwd)
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From: Matthew Morris <mmorris@netunlimited.net>
Regarding the question about Humbert creating Lolita, no one has to my
knowledge put forward such a theory. But Leona Toker wrote an essay that
does argue (rather persuasively too) that the final sections of
LOLITA--beginning with the scene when Humbert reads Lolita's letter--are
only the product of H.H.'s mad imagination.
I like the way this idea is balanced by the possibility that these events
really did occur--in the intro there is of course the mention of the book
MY CUE written by one Vivian Darkbloom, presumably after Quilty's death.
Perhaps this sense of balance between the possibilities of the possible as
possible (as Joyce might say) is the way to look at the whole PALE FIRE
question of authorship too. Not Shade, not Kinbote, but both, neither.
Regarding the question about Humbert creating Lolita, no one has to my
knowledge put forward such a theory. But Leona Toker wrote an essay that
does argue (rather persuasively too) that the final sections of
LOLITA--beginning with the scene when Humbert reads Lolita's letter--are
only the product of H.H.'s mad imagination.
I like the way this idea is balanced by the possibility that these events
really did occur--in the intro there is of course the mention of the book
MY CUE written by one Vivian Darkbloom, presumably after Quilty's death.
Perhaps this sense of balance between the possibilities of the possible as
possible (as Joyce might say) is the way to look at the whole PALE FIRE
question of authorship too. Not Shade, not Kinbote, but both, neither.