“Lolita”, or the story of a literary misinterpretation

2023-11-30 14:06:29

Sometimes fame comes from a misunderstanding. Like that of Lolitathe meaning of which irresistibly escaped its author, explains this fascinating documentary going back to the origins of the defeat of the masterpiece.

The monster appears to be the victim

To avoid any misunderstanding about his novel, whose main character, Humbert Humbert, expresses his obsessive desire for Dolores Haze, 12 years old, Vladimir Nabokov had matched it “a preface which helps to frame things”. More “bad readings got the better of finesse and complexity” of text. And Lolita, a “abused child” in Nabokov’s mind, to pass as “an erotic icon” while Humbert Humbert, a monster in his eyes, becomes the victim of a “nymphette”.

The contradiction begins with the first publication of the novel by the French publisher Maurice Girodias, in 1955. In the niche of erotic books, it is “seduced” par Lolita, “an apology for pedophilia” according to him. First misunderstanding. Although devoid of any description of a sexual act, the novel will then be banned in France, Belgium, Canada… A formidable publicity: sales soar.

In the cinema, an adaptation which contributes to “distorting” Lolita

In 1962, the film adaptation by Stanley Kubrick also contributed to “distort” Lolita. “The pedophile side is completely erased” and Humbert Humbert is still the victim. “An embarrassing betrayal” pour ” a masterpiece ” which does not contain “no apology for pedophilia”, recalls Vanessa Springora, who was herself a victim (1). Until then banned by Nabokov, representations of Lolita are multiplying on book covers, which show a glamorous young girl.

Quite the opposite of “poor child who is debauched and whose senses never awaken under the caresses of the filthy Monsieur Humbert Humbert”, as Nabokov reminded Bernard Pivot in 1975. Despite his response, the misinterpretation continued. Some victims of pedophilia, however, will cite his novel as helpful. Like Vanessa Springora, who confides that she “felt taken into account thanks to this book”.