Abstract

This paper is intended to probe the main characters in Lolita from the perspective of alienation by studying their sense of alienation or estrangement from the society, aiming to further the study of Nabokov's thoughts of postmodernist literary creation.

Vladimir Nabokov, an American writer who was born and raised in Russia. His masterpiece Lolita, with an unconventional plot and a unique form, has retained the critics' attention. So to speak, Lolita, at some level, can be regarded as a classic reflection of the people in a postmodernist context. 

Alienation is a theme that repeatedly appeared not only in Nabokov's novels but also in American literature in the 1960s. In the field of social sciences, alienation means the state of feeling estranged or separated from one's social background, working situation or self. 

The environment in which people live has drastically changed after the Second World War, which is reflected and also depicted in Lolita. And nowadays people are going through some traumas as well, with the help and contribution of the perspective of alienation, this paper will prompt people to meditate on their own problems and have better understanding about themselves.

This these firstly gives an introduction to the inevitable coming of the postmodern times and the appearance of postmodernism as well as the literature review of the research on Nabokov and Lolita both domestic and abroad. Then the paper deals with alienation in Lolita as is showed in characters Lolita and Humbert. At the end, the thesis could promote the reader to meditate on life.

Keywords: Vladimir Nabokov, Lolita, alienation, postmodernism

Contents

Abstract

中文摘要

Chapter One Introduction-5

1.1 Background of the Study-5

1.2 Aim and Purpose of the Study-6

1.3 Framework of the Thesis-7

Chapter Two Lolita’s Alienation-11

2.1 Alienation from the Family-11

2.2 Alienation from the Peers-13

2.3 Alienation from Institutions-14

2.4 Alienation from Her Inner Self-14

Chapter Three Humbert’s Alienation-16

Chapter Four Conclusion-19

References-20

文献综述报告-21