7 shows that Lolita can be divided into two categories: the first is the story based on
aesthetics and the second based on the importance of the character. In stating these two categories there are two purposes, one, is by showing the reader that in
the story there is an aesthetic matter in Humbert’s character development, and the other one is to avoid presumption that the main character of the story symbolizes
support for pedophile rights. Trevor McNeely divides critical argument on Lolita into two categories:
that based on aesthetics and that based on character… Those wishing to promote Lolita
as a great literary work on the basis of Humbert’s moral character development, for the matter, face an uphill struggle in avoiding
implicit support for pedophile rights http:www.armand-colin.com uploadIntroduction_Lolita.pdf.
The writer, on the other hand, does not emphasize the analysis on the style of Nabokov’s fiction or the aesthetics or importance of the character. However,
the writer defines the characteristics of the main character, Humbert, and the pedophilia’s characteristics, which can be seen through the main character’s acts
either with Lolita or the other underage girls.
B. Review of Related Theories
Theories are needed as the tools to analyze the work of the analysis. There will be two main theories. The first theory is the theory of character and
characterization, the second is the theory of pedophilia, and the last is the theory on the relation between psychology and literature.
1. Theory of Character and Characterization
The reader can find a person who is described in every literary work. The person who is described in a literary work such as drama, prose, or poetry is the
8 character. Based on Mastering English Literature by Richard Gill, there is an
important distinction between character and characterization. According to Gill, a character is a person in the literary work while characterization is the way in
which a character is created. The characters in books are not real people but figures, since the characters have been created by the author. The author build
character’s personality, select and put them together so that the reader will react to the character in a similar way will they do to real people 1995: 127-128.
Gill clarifies some aspects in studying the character, which are based on the way the character speaks and thinks. The reader can make a judgment of a
certain character by paying attention to them. The way the character speaks and thinks can be seen through certain repeated words or phrases, or relying upon
common sayings and proverbs, and ho w the character’s mind approaches
problems or challenges 1995: 127. Another aspect in studying the character is the appearance. Appearance is
how the character looks from the surface ranks, establishment, wealth, social status, etc.. Social status itse
lf can be seen by the character’s employment, dress, education, sometimes name, and so on. Appearance is a way to get the first
impression of the character, and to delve deeper to understand more about the character, one shall see the character’s acts—what he does, his or her action-
reaction, etc Gill, 1995: 129. Murphy in Understanding Unseens: an Introduction to English Poetry and
the English Novel for Overseas Students 1972: 171 clarifies nine ways in which
an author can be representing the characterization of characters in literary works.
