Art and Morality in Humbert's Confession
LolitaExamines how Humbert uses artistic language to justify his crimes and seek redemption.
increasing
Bearing strength in each event
decreasing
Bearing strength in each eventdecreasingThe Fancy Prose Style
The Narrative Voice
The Self-Conscious Artistry
Humbert frequently comments on his own writing, calling it "fancy prose." He is aware of his manipulation of language.
The Aestheticization of Evil
He describes his lust in poetic terms, making it seem beautiful. This is a form of moral evasion.
The Reader as Jury
He addresses the reader as "ladies and gentlemen of the jury," trying to win sympathy.
The Moral Apotheosis
The Claim of Redemption
The Ethical Impact
Humbert claims his story has a moral lesson, warning against dangerous trends.
The Artistic Immortality
He hopes that through art, he and Lolita can achieve a kind of immortality.
The Ambiguity
The reader is left to judge whether Humbert is truly repentant or just a skilled manipulator.
Throughout the memoir, written in 1952
End of the memoir, 1952
