Charlotte Haze Character Analysis in Lolita

Lolita’s mother and Humbert Humbert’s second wife. Charlotte is a lively, pretentious young widow who looks sort of like the movie star Marlene Dieterich. She dreams of moving upwards in cultural sophistication and social class, but never succeeds. She falls madly in love with Humbert Humbert when he comes to live with her as a boarder, mostly because of his European refinements. She has issues with her daughter, whom she sees as a spoiled, bratty pest. Charlotte is a very jealous woman, and this jealousy leads her to discover Humbert Humbert’s secret love for Lolita. Charlotte is run over by Frank Beale as she runs across the street to mail letters with information about Humbert’s crimes.

Charlotte Haze Character Timeline in Lolita

The timeline below shows where the character Charlotte Haze appears in Lolita. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Humbert Humbert is shown around the house by Charlotte Haze, who he contemptuously describes as “a weak solution of Marlene Dietrich.” During the tour... (full context)

...with all kinds of schemes and fantasies. He is constantly frustrated in his attempts by Charlotte, who sends Lolita away constantly so that she can be alone with Humbert, with whom... (full context)

...a lakeside picnic with another family, the Hamiltons. But the Sunday outing is cancelled by Charlotte when the Hamilton daughter gets sick. Lolita, furious, refuses to go to church with her... (full context)

Exile, Homelessness and Road Narratives Theme Icon

Although she doesn’t want to go, Charlotte sends Lolita off to summer camp. Humbert Humbert, distraught, considers leaving the house until she... (full context)

As Charlotte drives Lolita to Camp Q, Humbert Humbert dashes off to look through his nymphet’s underwear.... (full context)

Humbert Humbert is at first horrified by the letter, but comes to realize that marrying Charlotte would give him the opportunity to be with her daughter without arousing suspicion. He begins... (full context)

Humbert Humbert and Charlotte are married in a quiet ceremony. They are interviewed for a society column the next... (full context)

Charlotte makes Humbert Humbert tell her all the details of his love life to date, encouraging... (full context)

Humbert Humbert and Charlotte go for a swim at the Hourglass Lake. On the walk from the parking lot... (full context)

With Lolita off at camp, Humbert Humbert and Charlotte spend the months of June and July together in Ramsdale. Humbert is alarmed by Charlotte's... (full context)

...convinces the Haze family doctor to prescribe him sleeping pills. He tests these pills on Charlotte, meaning to use them on Lolita when she returns from camp. Worried that they aren’t... (full context)

...to view the scene of the accident. While crossing the street to send her letters, Charlotte was run over by a car driven by a man named Beale, who was swerving... (full context)

Humbert Humbert picks up Lolita at Camp Q. He tells her that Charlotte is very sick, and pretends they are headed to a hospital where she will be... (full context)

...items. When he dreams about her, she is strangely mixed with Valeria and her mother, Charlotte. Humbert writes a long poem about Lolita, begging her to reveal where she has gone.... (full context)

...Clare Quilty, the author of The Enchanted Hunters. Quilty, who had been a friend of Charlotte’s, had known Lolita since her early childhood. He had also seen her and Humbert at... (full context)

While visiting a restaurant he once went to with Charlotte Haze, Humbert runs into Mrs. Chatfield, who all but accuses him of having kidnapped Lolita.... (full context)

...grassy hill populated with cows. The scene reminds him of two deaths: his mother’s and Charlotte’s. (full context)