Time and Memory in the Narrative
LolitaExplores how Humbert's recollection of events is shaped by time and emotion.
increasing
Bearing strength in each event
decreasing
Bearing strength in each eventdecreasingThe Distorted Past
The Unreliable Memory
The Selective Recall
Humbert admits his memory is imperfect. He embellishes and omits details to suit his narrative.
The Proustian Influence
He references Proust, emphasizing the role of involuntary memory. His recollections are tinged with nostalgia.
The Creation of Myth
He turns his life into a myth, with Lolita as a mythical figure.
The Present Tense of Writing
The Act of Writing
The Therapeutic Purpose
Humbert writes to make sense of his life and to delay his trial. The act of writing is a form of control.
The Temporal Layers
He shifts between past events and present commentary, creating a complex temporal structure.
The Finality
He knows he is dying. The memoir is his last testament.
Throughout the memoir, 1952
1952, in prison
