Reflections on transforming Lolita: the (de)generation of an image

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.