Vladimir Nabokov

NABOKV-L post 0004690, Fri, 14 Jan 2000 13:21:02 -0800

Subject
Re: VN/Dostoevsky--rape of Lolita (fwd)
Date
Body
From: Walter Miale <wmiale@acbm.qc.ca>


>** I am not sure we want to go into the technicalities of what
>distinguishes "sex with a minor" from "rape," in Lolita's case or in
>general -- I half expect to hear from the Feds any minute now -- but, like
>Beth, in this particular instance I truly fail to see the difference. Of
>course HH rapes Lolita at the Enchanted Hunters. GD**
>

Humbert claims he did not take the girl against her will, but at her
invitation. Given her age, this is still a violation and a crime, but I was
calling his account of her willingness into question. It seems to me there
is no reason to take him at his word.

Walter Miale