Lolita

Lolita

by

Vladimir Nabokov

Sunglasses Symbol Icon
When Humbert and Annabel are about to have sex in the beachside cave, the only witness (at first) is “somebody’s lost pair of sunglasses.” Later, when Humbert Humbert first sees Lolita, she is wearing sunglasses. These doubled sunglasses symbolize the important, almost mystical connection between Annabel and Lolita in Humbert Humbert’s imagination.
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Sunglasses Symbol Timeline in Lolita

The timeline below shows where the symbol Sunglasses appears in Lolita. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Part 1, Chapter 3
Perversity, Obsession, and Art Theme Icon
Exile, Homelessness and Road Narratives Theme Icon
Women, Innocence, and Male Fantasy Theme Icon
Patterns, Memory and Fate Theme Icon
...escape to a cave on the beach, with nothing in it but a pair of sunglasses. They are about to have sex, but are discovered by two older men, who mock... (full context)
Part 1, Chapter 10
Perversity, Obsession, and Art Theme Icon
Suburbia and American Consumer Culture Theme Icon
Life and Literary Representation Theme Icon
Women, Innocence, and Male Fantasy Theme Icon
Patterns, Memory and Fate Theme Icon
...daughter, whom she calls “Lo,” and “Lolita”—for the first time. Lolita is sunbathing and wears sunglasses. Humbert is immediately overpowered by passionate feelings. He imagines that Lolita is the reincarnation of... (full context)