Humbert Humbert's History

In His Life

In Humbert's childhood, he involved himself in a tragic romance with Annabel Leigh.  Since his relationship with Annabel ended, Humbert has had a craving for the girl Annabel represents: a nymphet.

In Humbert's life, he has attempted to marry adult women to distract himself from this craving, but has been unable to do so.  

In the Novel

Humbert proves to be an unreliable narrator in this novel.  He attempts to convince the reader that the relationship between him and Lolita was in her control, and that she seduced him first.  The reader should realize that it is Humbert who has control of the relationship; Not only because he is the adult, but also because he controls their money and Lolita's freedom.  He doesn't consider his actions from a moral standpoint, and remains the same pedophile through the entire novel.  The only time Humbert counters this is the end of the novel, when he admits he stole Lolita's childhood.