Feminism: The Movie Lolita and Jean Baker Miller

People and relationships in general tend to obey societal norms. Men will usually be in control, and women usually controlled. Jean Baker Miller is a feminist whose essay of "Domination and Subordination" clearly defines why these norms are carried out. Stanley Kubrick's film Lolita also addresses these notions and supports Miller's essay. The main characters in Kubrick's film are Humbert, Lolita and Charlotte. Lolita is a young girl who is subordinate to both her mother, Charlotte, and her "lover", Humbert, in very different ways. Charlotte is an example of how somebody can be dominant in one relationship and subordinate in another. The character of Humbert shows that just being a male puts men in a position of dominance over women. Jean Baker Miller would explain the actions of the characters in Stanley Kubrick's film Lolita as perpetuations of predetermined societal norms.

Lolita is temporarily unequal to her mother Charlotte. This relationship is unequal only temporarily because the mother-daughter relationship is one that is supposed in end in "parity". The actions that Charlotte takes in the film towards Lolita are merely attempts to bring her up to par. Lolita frequently resists her mother's rules and commands, as the relationship is "based in service to the lesser party". Lolita is allowed to fight back as the inequality only exists to "benefit" her. In this sense, Charlotte is only the dominant because she is in the naturally desired role. Much like the relationship a teacher has over a student, Charlotte has the position that is desired. It seems that the reason Lolita fights back against Charlotte is because charlotte has yet to understand how to effectively change her from "unequal to equal". This struggle is natural in any temporary unequal relationship, and as such Charlotte and Lolita are merely following the trend. The norms in society for a mother daughter relationship are directly exhibited in Lolita and Charlotte's relationship.

Humbert is in a position of pure dominance over the subordinate Charlotte. Humbert's dominance is largely due to him being male. Naturally, any male in a relationship lacking other males will be dominant, due to ascription. The trend of males being dominant has existed for eternity, and is carried out because people tend to follow societal norms. Humbert assumes and maintains this role as the dominant because he has "identified himself" with the dominant group. The relationship of Charlotte and Humbert is one of permanent inequality. Humbert, being a male, will always be dominant in the relationship. This effect is mirrored in their scene on the bed; Charlotte clearly has many unanswered questions and yet Humbert maintains her dominance telling her "not to worry about it". Humbert is not ready to give up his role as the dominant in the relationship, and thus never will. Charlotte passive aggressively attempts to get answers out of Humbert, and Humbert resists her attempts in order to "avoid conflict". When Humbert feels that something needs to happen, it happens. He questions Charlotte's parenting of Lolita and Charlotte abruptly changes her methods. Humbert is able to control Charlotte for his own personal benefit. Charlotte's love letter to him sparked an opening for manipulation. The letter sparked ideas in his mind that weren't of love; but of control. The only reason that Humbert married Charlotte was to get closer to Lolita.

The relationship of Humbert and Lolita is complicated in that they each assume two very distinct roles. Humbert assumes the role not only as the father, but as the lover. Lolita assumes the role of not only the child, but the lover as well. The relationship between the two is an example of both temporary and permanent inequality. Humbert is temporarily dominant over Lolita in the sense that he is the father. His goal in this facet of the relationship is to bring her up to parity. Humbert partially assumes this role when he is introduced to the household, but assumes it completely once Charlotte is dead, as Lolita needs a parental figure. This causes the relationship between Humbert and Lolita to be very strange. Not only does Humbert talk to Lolita as a lover, but he also guides her much as a parent would. While they are driving to the hotel, he keeps telling Lolita to "not blow her nose" and other fatherly things that two lovers would never tell each other to do. This part of the relationship is assumed to end, as eventually Lolita is supposed to be brought to "parity". The relationship between Humbert and Lolita is also permanently unequal. This side of the relationship is permanently unequal because they are also lovers. This inequality exists because Humbert is a male, and any male in any relationship without another male will be dominant. Humbert is dominant in this part of the relationship similar to the way that he is dominant over Charlotte. It's not clear that Humbert is dominant based on his actions; quite the contrary. When analyzing the actions between Humbert and Lolita, it would seem that Lolita is the "dominant". She frequently controls conversations, and even tells him to "stop" when she feels actions aren't playing to her favor. Her supposed dominance can be explained, as "some subordinates imitate actions" of the dominants. Lolita is merely imitating her mother's dominant actions over her. In a way, this shows that Charlotte did bring Lolita closer to parity, teaching her how to be dominant. It seems that Humbert's only clear dominance is that he is a Male, and also that Lolita relies on him for necessities (food, shelter, etc.). This becomes clear when Lolita quite easily leaves him at the hospital for Quilty. When Lolita can be in a relationship with a male who can also provide her the necessities, she doesn't feel compelled to stay with Humbert. His power over Lolita exists only when no other power is present. When Humbert is equaled or overshadowed by another male (Quilty, Lolita's 2^nd husband), he loses his dominance over Lolita, and the relationship between them ceases to exist. Humbert and Lolita follow societal norms because Humbert is the dominant to the subordinate Lolita.

The characters in the film Lolita aren't unique on a broad scale, as they merely obey norms, as explained by Jean Baker Miller. Charlotte is dominant in her relationship with Lolita only temporarily, as their relationship is one "that is meant to end". The relationship only deviates from societal norms because Charlotte dies. Humbert, the male, is dominant in the relationship of "lovers" over the subordinate Charlotte. There seems to be no deviation from the norm in this relationship. Humbert is dominant in his relationship over Lolita both temporarily and permanently. He is dominant temporarily as he is the parental figure in the relationship. He is dominant permanently as he is a male. There seems to be no deviation from the norms in this relationship, as Lolita merely follows the most dominant figure. The perpetuation of societal norms is something that continues to be carried out.

IMDB, Lolita

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056193/

"Domination and Subordination"

http://www.angelfire.com/or3/tss/DOMSUB.html