Vladimir Nabokov spent a good deal of 1952 heavily researching many avenues for his controversial novel Lolita. In Ithaca, New York, while planning his teaching courses for Cornell he also began to gather ideas about his novel. Among one of his research methods Nabokov looked to jukeboxes for inspiration. On a notecard he listed several songs which were popular at the time, perhaps among young adolescents. Here are three songs that Nabokov jotted down for reference, take a listen and get an impression for the setting of Lolita.
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<<<< Here is a snap of Nabokov's notecard with the songs he jotted down from a jukebox. Explore the rest of the songs popular in 1952 that Nabokov listened too, while researching for his novel Lolita.
Nabokov also heavily researched newspapers and reports for sex offences, accidents, and murders. The most famous, the abduction of Sally Horner from New Jersey in 1948 by Frank La Salle. She was abducted by him, and they traveled around the country, La Salle claiming that she was his daughter. He was eventually arrested in 1950, making headlines across the nation. Here are some newspaper clippings that Nabokov could have read and used as reference for Lolita.
Another true story that heavily influenced Lolita was the G. Edward Grammer murder. In 1952 Grammer plotted the murder of his wife by way of car accident. Nabokov was very intrigued with this true crime story that it’s influence can easily be read in Lolita, i.e. the death of Charlotte. Take a look at the clippings below and see how Nabokov was captivated by this true crime.
Nabokov referenced gun catalogues for Humbert’s murder weapon against Quilty. He studied the history of the Colt revolver and took notes on inspiration from true crimes involving handguns. Below is an advertisement from 1952 for a Colt, and two notecards with information Nabokov took while reading gun magazines. Observe the great length of research Nabokov did, even for what can seem like minor details, for his book Lolita.
Above are two photos of Nabokov's personal notecards where he wrote and drew his findings from researching gun catalogues for Humbert's murder weapon.
Nabokov wanted to understand young adolescent girls; what they liked, how they spoke, and what appealed to them. He took public transportation and rode on buses making notes of slang and speech he overheard. He researched magazines, home decorating how-tos, advertisements directed to young women, and even Girl Scout manuals. Nabokov even studied the physical and psychological developments of young girls, gaining an understanding of anatomy, psychological development, and sexual maturation of girls.
Below are a few magazine covers from 1952 that Nabokov could have used for his inspiration and development for the character Lolita.
Below are a few magazine covers from 1952 that Nabokov could have used for his inspiration and development for the character Lolita.
<<<<<<<< Here's one of Nabokov's notecards where he noted the average height, weight, for girls aged between 12-14.