It might be simple formal symmetry (beginning=end). Or the same clothes are parentheses to her life (that is, her life with HH). And let us always recall that HH is a not-quite reliable narrator, who has a habit of imposing his own patternings on the females he encounters.
Eric Hyman
Professor of English
Department of English
Butler 133
Fayetteville State University
1200 Murchison Road
Fayetteville, NC 28301-4252
From: Vladimir Nabokov Forum [mailto:NABOKV-L@LISTSERV.UCSB.EDU] On Behalf Of Sadie Powers
Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 2015 9:28 PM
To: NABOKV-L@LISTSERV.UCSB.EDU
Subject: Re: [NABOKV-L] QUERY: Lolita: harlotte's "maroon slacks, yellow silk blouse"
My take on the maroon pants is it being a pun, as Humbert has basically marooned Charlotte below the waist in a loveless marriage.
On Dec 22, 2015, at 9:09 PM, "NABOKV-L, English" <nabokv-l@HOLYCROSS.EDU> wrote:My first response is that those colors are a garish combination, suggesting again Charlotte's vulgarity.
SES
.
Didier Machu: “...I have a query regarding Lolita. On that fateful day when Charlotte is killed, .Humbert remarks that she is wearing "the yellow blouse and maroon slacks she had on when [he] first met her." Indeed "maroon slacks, yellow silk blouse" appear to him in that order when she comes down the stairs to greet her lodger-to-be. Why is she dressed identically on the first and last days of their shared life? Why is she made to wear those particular colors? I have been considering several explanations (none of which quite satisfies me) and would like to hear you all on the matter. Thanks.”
--Susan Elizabeth Sweeney
Co-Editor, NABOKV-L
All private editorial communications are read by both co-editors.
All private editorial communications are read by both co-editors.
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