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Human heart Quote by Vladimir Nabokov

“Sometimes... Come on, how often exactly, Bert? Can you recall four, five, more such occasions? Or would no human heart have survived two or three? Sometimes (I have nothing to say in reply to your question), while Lolita would be haphazardly preparing her homework, sucking a pencil, lolling…” quote by Vladimir Nabokov
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““Sometimes... Come on, how often exactly, Bert? Can you recall four, five, more such occasions? Or would no human heart have survived two or three? Sometimes (I have nothing to say in reply to your question), while Lolita would be haphazardly preparing her homework, sucking a pencil, lolling sideways in an easy chair with both legs over its arm, I would shed all my pedagogic restraint, dismiss all our quarrels, forget all my masculine pride - and literally crawl on my knees to your chair, my Lolita! You would give me one look - a gray furry question mark of a look: "Oh no, not again" (incredulity, exasperation); for you never deigned to believe that I could, without any specific designs, ever crave to bury my face in your plaid skirt, my darling! The fragility of those bare arms of yours - how I longed to enfold them, all your four limpid lovely limbs, a folded colt, and take your head between my unworthy hands, and pull the temple-skin back on both sides, and kiss your chinesed eyes, and - "Please, leave me alone, will you," you would say, "for Christ's sake leave me alone." And I would get up from the floor while you looked on, your face deliberately twitching in imitation of my tic nerveux. But never mind, never mind, I am only a brute, never mind, let us go on with my miserable story.””

Vladimir Nabokov

About This Quote

Source Novel: Lolita, Vladimir Nabokov, 1955

The passage expresses a desperate, erotic yearning, mixing humor and desperation, as the narrator longs for intimate, forbidden contact with a younger woman, revealing his conflicted emotions.

In simple terms: A man obsessively desires a younger woman, mixing humor and desperation.

Key Takeaway

Acknowledge the tension between desire and morality.

Themes

obsession forbidden love sexual tension humor psychological conflict

Mood

conflicted darkly humorous reflective

Type

literary psychological controversial

When to use this quote

  • personal confession
  • artistic expression
  • exploration of taboo
  • psychological self‑analysis
  • creative writing exercises

Key Concepts

eroticism power dynamics masculine insecurity literary flamboyance

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does this reveal about the narrator’s self‑perception?
  • How does humor affect the seriousness of the desire?
A Different Perspective

The language romanticizes predatory behavior, ignoring ethical concerns and consent.

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