Reflections on transforming Lolita: the (de)generation of an image
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Date
2002
Authors
Roodt, Anton
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
This article deals with Vladimir Nabakov's "Lolita", a literary work
discovered by Graham Greene in 1955, as image. More specifically,
the transformation of Nabokov's original image and the subsequent
absorption of "Lolita" as image into mass culture are highlighted.
Salient aspects discussed with reference to "Lolita" are: changes in
the fashion world where extremely young models are employed, often
appearing in very erotic advertising; cloning of the image, especiaL/y
by big business; and the movement of "Lolita's" image into cyber
space typified by Japanese Kisekae and other virtual idols. The
crossing-over of "Lolita" into popular culture continues unabated,
and offers many opportunities for studying the manipulation of
messages in efforts to try and capitalise on the changes in, and
obsessions of, mass society. Indeed this famous work of Nabokov has
spawned a vast number of offspring, exploiting the exploited Dolores
Haze, the teen American nymphet and female interest of the novel,
who becomes the sexual obsession of an older inteL/ectual emigre,
Humbert Humbert.
Description
Keywords
Vladimir Nabakov, Lolita, Image, Mass culture
Citation
Roodt, A. (2002). Reflections on transforming Lolita: the (de)generation of an image. Communitas, 7, 31-44.