Thus, neither of us is alive when the reader opens this book. But while
the blood still throbs through my writing hand, you are still as much part
of blessed matter as I am, and I can still talk to you from here to Alaska.
Be true to your Dick. Do not let other fellows touch you. Do not talk to
strangers. I hope you will love your baby. I hope it will be a boy. That
husband of yours, I hope, will always treat you well, because otherwise my
specter shall come at him, like black smoke, like a demented giant, and pull
him apart nerve by nerve. And do not pity C. Q. One had to choose between
him and H.H., and one wanted H.H. to exist at least a couple of months
longer, so as to have him make you live in the minds of later generations. I
am thinking of aurochs and angels, the secret of durable pigments, prophetic
sonnets, the refuge of art. And this is the only immortality you and I may
share, my Lolita.
This passage is the ending of the novel Lolita. It wraps up and summarizes Humbert's final thoughts for Lolita. In the passage, he communicates two major ideas through literary devices: his advice and aspirations for Lolita, and then his final thoughts for Lolita. The passage also uses a stream of consciousness style of writing that allows readers to see Humbert's thoughts. By seeing Humbert's most raw and genuine thoughts, we can analyze how they've been influenced by society and gender stereotypes through the feminist lens. From this passage, readers can view how the author utilizes various literary devices to communicate strong thoughts and a serious tone while displaying thoughts that perpetuate harmful social constructs.
In the passage, the author uses various literary devices to create a very sorrowful tone and powerful message. In the passage, the author uses repetition throughout the story. If read carefully, readers can see the phrases, "do not," and "I hope," being repeated, as well as similar sentence structures. The effect this creates is that it conveys a message, and then repeats it so that it is viewed as powerful in the mind of readers. Humbert uses these powerful words repeatedly to signify that he is finally coming to peace with his lost love, and that he hopes Lolita is content in moving on with her (short)life without him. Because of the passionate and tragic storyline of the book, the author has to make the final ending very powerful and emotional so that readers take away the main theme of the novel: One should never take advantage of a youth's innocence or harm someone, even if it means giving up on love.
In addition to literary devices being used to convey powerful messages, the author also uses a pitiful and sorrowful tone to show Humbert's ultimate sadness. By mentioning the throbbing of his blood and by saying that Lolita is part of himself, readers can assume that Humbert was very much emotionally invested in Lolita and by losing her, he feels terrible sadness and pain. In addition, by hoping that Lolita will do well in life and wishing her well in her current relationship, the author shows how Humbert has finally given up on his dream of being with Lolita. This dream was made clear throughout the novel and readers are shown how Humbert's flaw in pursuing an illegal, harmful, and destructive relationship led to his sadness. By showing how his dreams were crushed and by using emotional words and phrases, the author develops a sorrowful tone in this passage.
Lastly, harmful ideas about gender are further reinforced in this passage. In the passage Humbert displays the most harmful display of gender roles when he says, "I hope it [Lolita's unborn child] will be a boy. This act signifies the thought of how not only Humbert, but society as a whole values the lives of males, over females. It is truly the epitome of gender bias in the author's society. From this information, we can assume that society at this time was aware and accepting of this rampant sexism, as similar thoughts aren't as prominent in today's culture. From analyzing passages, readers can gather information on the background of the culture the book was written in.
No comments:
Post a Comment