Lolita

"Please, reader : no matter your exasperation with the tenderhearted , morbidly sensitive, infinitely circumspect hero of my book, do not skip these essential pages ! .... try to discern the doe in me , trembling in the forest of my own iniquity " (129)



This moment illustrates another boldly obvious strategy of Humbert to mask his innocence and victimize himself . He confidently describes himself as an "infinitely circumspect hero." The idea of Humbert considering himself a hero is simply appauling. Maybe he considers himself a heroine for being able to have cautiously come thus far, and discreetly not be suspected of his true intentions with Lolita. He never fails to remind us that he is merely a protector of her "purity."Humbert urges us not to skip these "essential pages, " because his aversion from his actual crime is not yet complete. Ironically, the pages following this quote portray Lo as the instigator of it all . He describes himself, " trembling in the forest of my own iniquity." In a simplified version, Humbert, is a trembling victim of his own wickedness. He seperates his evil deeds/thoughts/nymphile desires/fantasies as an entire entity of its own, and even victimizes himself from his own actions. Humbert clearly is on a mission to convince his jurors/audience that everything was forced upon him. In his eyes, fate and the sequence of events intertwined to fulfill his lustful nymphile hunger.


Q: Why would Humbert consider himself a hero ?