Dogs

Enchanted hunting dogs. Nabokov once gave a lecture on the "equine theme" in Madame Bovary. Who or what is doglike in Lolita. Between dog and butterfly the dogs actually win (although butterflies and moths abound). Not only are there a lot of dogs or people that act like dogs - canine coincidence occurs at key crossroads in the book. Find seven examples to win.

     Throughout Lolita, there are many references to dogs and canines--some literal, so not. As the story progresses, the references become clearer and more descriptive of people. 

     For instance, he describes Lolita as a dog-like human when she wanted attention. "She would be, figuratively speaking, wagging her tiny tail, her whole behind in fact as little bitches do--while some grinning stranger accosted us and began a bright conversation" (164). Humbert hated when Lolita did such things because he wanted as little attention directed to them as possible. When she was being aggressive toward him, he wanted her to calm down, and he thought "down, poor beast, down" (141), just as one would say to their dog for jumping up on them; he started to see her as a nuisance.  Humbert also talks about petting her; of course, he means it in a sexual way, but it also refers someones relationship to a dog. "She would pick out in the book, while I petted her in the parked car in the silence of dusk-mellowed mysterious side-road" (146). One of the first dog references Humbert uses in relation to Lolita is directly related to his fear of her leaving him. "Lo, leaving the dog as she would leave me some day, rose from her haunches" (118). 

       Humbert talks about his canine teeth when he goes to the dentist to get information about Quilty. "The whole arrangement was a masterpiece of comfort, and my canines were in perfect health" (291). Humbert says Quilty uses the word "fetch" in reference to obtaining his glasses. "Let me fetch my reading glasses" (299). 

     My last example is a more literal reference to dogs. Humbert talks about Lolita and Dick's dog when he goes to see her. He doesn't really talk about pets, other than Lolita, in the book. "Woof, commented the dog perfunctorily... Woof, said the dog. A rush and a shuffle, and woosh-woof went the door" (269).