I am so fucking sick and tired of every single person (including some bitch in my English class) saying how Lolita is the villain of the story because she somehow manipulates Humbert and Quilty and how she inflicts power over them. Thiscommon believe everyone shares is why victim blaming is so predominant in today’s culture. When the book came out in the fifties, sure. But it’s fucking 2011!!
Lolita initiates sex ONCE. And this was after Humbert tried to initiate sex with her BY DRUGGING HER. Any psychologist would tell you it’s a survival mechanism adopted by a newly-orphaned 12-year-old being solicited for sex. The rest of the time, Humbert is the initiator. Lolita consents only because she is being threatened or bribed. She has sex to stay out of reform school. She has sex to participate in the school play. She only gives sex for favours. Humbert is clearly controlling her, and she is obviously his victim. Yeah, it can be argued that Lolita manipulates Humbert using sex to get what she wants. But let’s not forget she’s been kidnapped by someone who killed her mother, and then constantly raped and isolated from the rest of the world by that same person. Anyone in that situation would give up their bodies for some form of comfort.
Not to mention it is NOT Dolores’ fault that men are attracted to her. First of all, she’s fucking twelve. A sexual mastermind 12-year-olds are not. Second of all, men have control of their emotions, hormones, and ability to rape. When they give into that urge, it’s on them and not on her. Humbert and as we discover in the end—Quilty are the villains in this story.
(Source: corrinda, via tumblinfeminist)
