Connecting Lolita to Other Works of Literature

Foreshadow, Aftermath, Discussion, and Repercussion Application

Certain events must take place to move the novel forward, and often the author must use skillful storytelling technique to produce verisimilitude, i.e., to make the occurrence of the event seem natural rather than too convenient or contrived. "Masking" refers to the sum of this technique, the cumulative effect rendering a necessary yet potentially awkward event believable. Proper utilization of this indispensable technique allows the author more freedom to explore the introduction of unusual and/or surprising events and/or endings. Examples as follows:


In Nabokov's "Lolita," the wife of Humbert conveniently dies so that Humbert can procede with his plans to seclude himself with Lolita:


First, the event is foreshadowed - Humbert receives a phone call from a neighbor stating that something has happened to his wife. Next, (beginning a new chapter) Humbert goes outside and witnesses the aftermath carnage of the accident - the scene is complex with objects and nearly surreal in portrayal. The police show him the body, he observes the details of it, etc. All of this lends credibility to the event. A few pages later, as a repercussion of the event occurs: a discussion ensues with a man who arrives to hash over accident details with Humbert—the question of the event's verisimilitude is settled.

In "The Great Gatsby," Myrtle Wilson, the mistress of Tom Buchanan (Daisy's husband and Gatsby's enemy), is struck dead very coincidentally out of nowhere by Gatsby's own car, thus setting in motion the events which would later culminate in Gatsby's death.


First, the event is foreshadowed - Tom Buchannan (who had been following Gatsby's car) sees the crowd and confusion gathering in the distance before he arrives at the scene. Next, the aftermath of the scene is viewed, i.e., Myrtle's dead body, the crowd, the despairing husband. It is learned that she was drunk and fighting with her husband before it happened (the foreshadowing of this accomplished earlier). Someone in the crowd mentions the color and style of the car that performed the deed - this hints it was Gatsby's car. Later, Nick accidentally discovers Gatsby watching Daisy's house and, Surprise!, in the ensuing discussion, Daisy is revealed as having driven the death car. Repercussions of the event include the mad husband's killing of Gatsby. Thus, verisimilitude is achieved.

In "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles, the author decides the fate of a major character, Phineas, by means of a bizarre mock court trial held in secret somewhere in a secluded spot of the school, and the unfolding of the event seems perfectly reasonable.


Several separate and distinct instances of foreshadowing proceed the event: First, an event of this type was spoken of by one of the characters; second, talk of a secret society within the school (the org. that would conduct the event); and the remainder involved inward glimpses of the peculiar character who would conduct the trial and engineer it to such a climax. In the case of the latter, it was therefore not unbelievable that this person would conduct such an event.