Lolita end Part I

"...her cheeks looked hollowed and too much lentigo camouflaged her rosy rustic features; and that first impression (a very narrow human interval between two tiger heartbeats) carried the clear implication that all widower Humbert had to do, wanted to do, or would do, was to give this wan-looking through sun-colored little orphan aux yeux battus (and even those plumbaceous umbrae under her eyes bore freckles) a sound education, a healthy and happy girlhood, a clean home, nice girl-friends of her age among whom (if the fates deigned her to repay me) I might find, perhaps, a pretty little Magdlein for Herr Doktor Humbert alone. But "in a wink," as the Germans say, the angelic line of conduct was erased, and I overtook my prey (time moves ahead of our fancies!), and she was my Lolita again- in fact, more of my Lolita than ever." (page 111)

This quote puts a unique perspective on the coming events at the end of part one. As Humbert is finally granted full control and possession over Lolita's life he seems to ponder the possibility of fulfilling the expected fatherly duties. Humbert questions his own capability of fulfilling the paternal role despite his original intentions being purely nymphatic attraction to young Lolita. There is a definite glimmer of remorse for how the fates have dealt Humbert complete and unobstructed control of Lolita while he holds such sexually driven emotions for her. It seems as though Humbert wishes he could simply appreciate the wonderful blessing of the opportunity to provide for Lolita the rest of his life, and that if he doesn't take advantage of this miracle for his own personal benefit possibly the fate will subsequently repay him for undertaking Lolita in the form of other young girls becoming more frequent in his life. This paragraph seems only to serve as a brief mental flash of morality and duty within Humbert's mind as he is beginning to comprehend his new-found control and access to Lolita. Unfortunately for the reader, his nymphatic mentality and selfish intentions with regard to Lolita's life and innocence are re-assumed just as abruptly as they left.

Q: Is the reader expected to believe the possibility of Humbert's success as a father figure, or to merely juxtapose this theory to the in-surmounting inevitability of Lolita's life being harmed by his presence?