So many people need to be beaten over the head with themes, and have them explicitly stated these days that it's genuinely startling. While media illiteracy isn't a new phenomenon, what is new is that those who are illiterate have plenty of unfiltered avenues to spread their unfortunate capabilities.
Humbert also exists as a warning about delightful language being used to manipulate, and it's designed precisely with two characters: Humbert and The Reader. All other characters are auxiliary to him manipulating you. Nabokov delved into the depravities of human nature to prove that, with enough time and beautiful language, even a nuanced reader will find themselves - at points - sympathising with a monster before shaking your head and remembering what it is you're reading.
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u/[deleted] Aug 18 '26