lolita:
a e s t h e t i c s
"My loathings are simple: stupidity, oppression, crime, cruelty, soft music."
Vladimir Nabokov
Vladimir Nabokov
The aesthetics of Nabokov's "Lolita" is an impression or image that one gets when they think of her, more specifically her name. When people initially hear the name "Lolita," it is commonly unattached to the character of Lolita herself, and it usually the emotions or feelings of nostalgia that the name gives a person. This projected image of who Lolita is (without drawing anything from the person she actually is) disassociates her and objectifies her similarly to how Humbert Humbert did in the novel. The character of Lolita, a young girl thought to be sexual and ethereal, is not only under the gaze of an older man, but now viewed and appropriated by the world.
The art of aesthetics, i think, gives us this similar impression, sometimes back by nostalgia, but most often times an image or idea that is much different from the original. There is an art to Lolita, an aesthetic that others desire and copy. The original context of the novel being about a man who is sexually attracted to a young girl is something that isn't always seen as "gross," but as a way to obsess over young female beauty and the nostalgia of childhood. There is a sad similarity to Humbert and society large. The way that Humbert objectifies and separates the real Lolita from the tempting "nympet" he makes up in his head reflects quite comically at how we, too, separate the pure tragedy (and ickiness) of "Lolita the person" to "Lolita the aesthetic." Are these reanimations of Lolita a Frankenstein creature, or is there a deeper reflection of society's role in shaping the creature themselves?
The art of aesthetics, i think, gives us this similar impression, sometimes back by nostalgia, but most often times an image or idea that is much different from the original. There is an art to Lolita, an aesthetic that others desire and copy. The original context of the novel being about a man who is sexually attracted to a young girl is something that isn't always seen as "gross," but as a way to obsess over young female beauty and the nostalgia of childhood. There is a sad similarity to Humbert and society large. The way that Humbert objectifies and separates the real Lolita from the tempting "nympet" he makes up in his head reflects quite comically at how we, too, separate the pure tragedy (and ickiness) of "Lolita the person" to "Lolita the aesthetic." Are these reanimations of Lolita a Frankenstein creature, or is there a deeper reflection of society's role in shaping the creature themselves?
Part I: Soft Music
Music is a very popular medium used for expression, and is used to convey a specific aesthetic. This creation of the Lolita aesthetic is not new, and even music from the time the novel was written highlights society's views of young girls, and how this reflection was used to curate Lolita's "aesthetic."
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The song "Buttons and Bows" is a very light, cheery song that hides lyrics with a very dark meaning that could be interpreted from it.
"Let's go where they keep on wearin' Those frills and flowers and buttons and bows Rings and things and buttons and bows." The lyrics highlighted by the very girlish items of clothing, travel, and point to a "big town where they love a gal by the cut o'her clothes." |
This popular, fun song is very moody, perfect for Humbert. The entire song has lyrics sprinkled in that are the obsessive thoughts that he would have towards Lolita. Even describing his all-consuming feeling towards Lolita is very much like a "fever."
"Now you've listened to my story Here's the point that I have made Chicks were born to give you fever" |
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This other very popular song is another hit for Humbert. His obsessive thoughts concerning Lolita hits on all his thoughts and dreams he has of her.
"I can make you mine, taste your lips of wine Anytime night or day Only trouble is, gee whiz I'm dreamin' my life away" This song is also especially poignant because of how self-absorbed Humbert is. Constantly dreaming up of what Lolita is to him and ignoring what's real is very fitting. |
Lastly, I also just wanted to bring this song to attention as it would absolutely be on Humbert's personal playlist (if he had one). Constantly, Humbert acknowledged how society views pedophilia, her has to constantly be vigilant, keeping an eye on Lolita herself and how to present himself to society so as to not be viewed as crazy. He does indeed "walk the line" to keep himself from getting caught.
"I find it very, very easy to be true I find myself alone when each day is through Yes, I'll admit that I'm a fool for you Because you're mine, I walk the line" |
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Now, for more modern takes, these songs released within the past few years are shown to highlight the influence the icon of Lolita holds within society.
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This song, while upbeat, hides a much more sinister meaning beneath the beauty of its music and disturbing lyrics.
"She's morphine queen of my vaccine" The repetition of the lyrics holds similarities to Humbert's own repetitive thoughts on Lolita. "She may contain the urge to runaway But hold her down with soggy clothes and breezeblocks" |
Now, driving home the aesthetics of Lolita, the softness of this song leans on more heavily to contemporary ideas of "soft aesthetics."
"I've been looking for you and your absence was made clear I don't even know you but I know I want you here Pink cars take us far just if you know who you are" Pointing out that Humbert doesn't even know Lolita is evident throughout the novel, as she is just a "nymphet" to Humbert. The title being "Neon Baby" is also very on brand for the more modern Lolita aesthetic. |
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And, of course, one would be remiss to not mention Lana del Ray's influence on the Lolita aesthetic. stepping away from Lana's music is a difficult thing to do, as separating the art from the artist in this case is almost nonexistent. Lana herself modeled herself after Lolita, chasing after the glamour and embodying her fully.
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Part II: Musicals, Underworlders, Westerns
As an artist and scholar I prefer the specific detail to the generalization, images to ideas, obscure facts to clear symbols, and the discovered wild fruit to the synthetic jam.
In the 1953 film "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," is an iconic film that plays to the heart of a women's desire for objects, all while being objectified themselves.
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Lolita, who was dazzled by cinema, might have enjoyed the music and dancing from the 1953 musical, "Give a Girl a Break." Humbert himself didn't see any art or value to be found in a musical that didn't talk about death, however he still applauded any analyses Lolita gave on any musicals they watched together. there is also obviously quite a bit of male gaze in this musical.
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This 1958 classic "Vertigo" would obviously be a fan favorite for many, Lolita included. The opening shots included all the things that Humbert despised, right down to the "villains chased by pathologically fearless cops."
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part III: world of advertisement
Advertisement has always been an important part of marketing, but during the 1940s and 50s, it began to take off. Targeting an audience can be difficult, however, companies had no trouble marketing to women to be skinnier, prettier, and, most importantly, younger.
This ad is another call for action directed at women, this time making a pointed remark on a woman's breast size. While our culture is obsessed with appearing youthful, there is a simultaneous obsession for women to be "developed" sexually, and to have the right body type. Young girls with flat chests may have felt particularly called to this advertisement in a response to society's sexualization of female bodies.
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While this article is an interesting read on how the young people reacted to the Korean War, the picture they chose of a young student was what initially struck me. The image used of a girl with pouty lips and an innocent look of her next to intelligent thoughts on their reactions to the War was odd to me.
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CONCLUSION?
Is there an actual "aesthetic" to Lolita? I would say that perhaps there is, and the Lolita identity has certainly been cultivated into a pop culture icon over the years, the idea of Lolita mattering more than what she represents. In a way, this echos back to Humbert Humbert's own delusional views of Lolita, picking apart what he wants from her (whether they're there or not) and ignoring the rest.
SOURCES:
1. www.tinymixtapes.com/features/sonorous-and-spine?page=show.
2. classic.esquire.com/article/1997/2/1/lolita-comes-again.
3. http://theconversation.com/explainer-what-does-the-male-gaze-mean-and-what-about-a-female-gaze-52486
4. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/67885/selling-shame-40-outrageous-vintage-ads-any-woman-would-find-offensive
1. www.tinymixtapes.com/features/sonorous-and-spine?page=show.
2. classic.esquire.com/article/1997/2/1/lolita-comes-again.
3. http://theconversation.com/explainer-what-does-the-male-gaze-mean-and-what-about-a-female-gaze-52486
4. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/67885/selling-shame-40-outrageous-vintage-ads-any-woman-would-find-offensive