Worldmaking and Victim-Blaming in Nabokov’s Lolita

Sammanfattning: This study explores the intentions of the character Humbert Humbert in Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita, as well as the outcome of his words. It also examines the intended as well as the unintended effects on the reader. Humbert’s attempt to lure in the reader by twisting the truth and deflecting blame is analyzed by using worldmaking and victim-blaming. Through worldmaking it is shown that the perception of the world differs almost as much between different readers as it does between Humbert and the reader. Despite the difference in reader experience, Humbert’s failure to convince any reader of his innocence is inevitable. He even, in part, fails to convince himself. His inability to accept blame slowly diminishes as he reexperiences his vile relationship with the innocent Dolores Haze.