Lolita by V. Nabokov - Caroline Klimczuk

Question 1)

I very much enjoyed reading Vladimir Nabokov's infamous novel Lolita. The very name itself, Lolita, seems to suggest both alluring sensuality and sweet innocence - a fascinating duality that both intrigues and revolts. Lolita is truly a sensualists' paradise: the words seem to ripple and flow off the page, creating a compelling, disturbing mental picture. Nabokov's irony is like a subtle blade. It gives us a humorous, painfully insightful view of American society during the 5o's  - all innocence and apple pie - but with dark and deep undercurrents pulling swiftly towards the social revolution of the 60's. We all know the essential plot of Lolita: a distinguished older man has an intense sexual obsession with a prepubescent, sexually precocious girl. These characters are hardly flimsy cardboard or redundant cliches. Neither Humbert Humbert nor Dolores "Lolita" Haze are innocent in this tale of sexual obession and twisted deception. Humbert is both cruel and tyrannical, and weak and vulnerable in his passion for his highly idealized Lolita. He is, all in all, a despicable, pathetic human being. Lolita herself is no innocent angel; rather, she is a crude, selfish, wholly unpleasant little girl who uses sexual favors to gain power over Humbert. If you are interested in a graphic, darkly flamboyant story of sexual oppression and power games, I would highly suggest reading Lolita. 

Question 3) 

If I were to cast Humbert Humbert in a movie version of Lolita (although there have been two made already),  I would choose Daniel Day-Lewis because he a fine actor. In his most recent role in "There Will Be Blood", Day-Lewis played a cunning, ruthless, greedy man who eventually goes mad with guilt. He managed to portray this character very well - with controlled, intense emotions - and still brought a shred of humanity to an unsympathetic character. Humbert's own character requires the same type of acting skills. As for Lolita, I would cast Saoirse Ronan, best known for her portrayal of Briony in "Atonement". Briony was a cruel, spoiled, self-centered little girl who ruined the lives of those closest to her. I think Ronan could portray Lolita as the crass, corrupt creature she is, rather than the guileless victim of Humbert's amour.