PSA: A Survivor Could’ve Written Lolita. In Lolita, Dolores Haze experiences some of the trauma due to CSA that Vladimir Nabokov (the author) supposedly experienced in his lifetime.
TW: CSA, abuse, corrupt adults, survivor shaming, slut shaming
Stop shaming people for reading and enjoying Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov, especially survivors of CSA. Stop shaming people for connecting with and relating to Dolores Haze through fashion, aesthetics, art, literature, poetry, etc. as a coping mechanism or style choice. It’s alleged and widely speculated that Nabokov was a CSA survivor. Some of what Dolores Haze’s experiences in the book is said to reflect his lived experience/trauma with CSA. Let us celebrate Dolores Haze in peace.
Yes, it’s been largely speculated (and agreed upon) that the tragic case of Sally Horner inspired Lolita, but some people today think Nabokov’s own lived experience likely impacted the story too. Dolores Haze is a tragic figure because of what she goes through in the novel and what she most likely represented in the context of Nabokov’s life and beyond. Her resilience, style, and attitude shine through all of it, which is part of why she’s such a literary and fashion icon today.
Some of the abuse Dolores Haze experiences at the hands of Humbert Humbert also describes what Nabokov’s Uncle Ruka allegedly did to him. In fact, there is an instance of CSA in Lolita that reads as eerily similar to what Nabokov supposedly went through as a child at the hands of his uncle. In Lolita, Humbert Humbert assaults/violates Dolores Haze while she’s sitting on his lap, which sounds very similar to what Nabokov’s Uncle Ruka is said to have done to him. I’ve also read that Nabokov’s parents basically ignored it because Uncle Ruka was set to leave a substantial inheritance once he died.
To be clear: It’s never been outright “proven” by any direct evidence that Nabokov’s Uncle Ruka victimized him. Nonetheless, a lot of people suspect this to be the case based on what they’ve learned about his life and from his writings. In fact, there’s an entire scholarly book called Solving Nabokov’s Lolita Riddle by Joanne Morgan for anyone who’s interested in reading a deep dive about it.
Let’s be real: If Vladimir Nabokov had spoken candidly about his experience with being victimized by his uncle, society would have undoubtedly shamed him. Society shamed Sally Horner because an old man pretending to be an FBI agent abducted her as a child. Society continues to shame Dolores Haze by blaming her for what happened to her as well based on popular misconceptions and blatant misreadings of Lolita. The film adaptations of Lolita only further enforce this fact. Furthermore, Dolores Haze is literally written by a survivor, yet no one ever mentions that when they discuss Lolita. The fact that there’s even a chance that Vladimir Nabokov might’ve written Lolita as a survivor needs to become part of the larger discourse surrounding Lolita.
Like I said, Dolores Haze has become a literary and fashion icon. She has inspires many people (including survivors), and that’s part of why nymphet fashion is a thing. Nymphet fashion helps me express myself creatively through fashion and practice self-care. I call myself a doelette because I specifically relate to Dolores Haze as a survivor. As such, she is often the inspiration for my fashion, aesthetics, and writing connected to my processing of and healing from trauma. I don’t deserve the hate I get for this.
Once again: Let us celebrate Dolores Haze in peace.
📸 The first Lolita cover (1955) - Wikimedia Commons
30 notes
·
View notes