In Vladimir Nabokov's "Lolita," the protagonist reflects on a peculiar shoe-shaped bathtub. This unique image evokes a sense of surrealism, allowing him to indulge in a moment of introspection. Within this whimsical setting, he finds himself likening his experience to that of the historical figure Jean-Paul Marat, who is famously associated with a dramatic scene from revolutionary history. However, he notes the absence of a "white-necked maiden," a reference to the act of betrayal and violence that defined Marat's narrative. This juxtaposition highlights the protagonist's feelings of loneliness and longing, contrasting the imagined grandeur of his situation with a stark reality. Through this metaphor, Nabokov explores themes of desire, alienation, and the complexity of human experience.

In Vladimir Nabokov's "Lolita," the protagonist reflects on a peculiar shoe-shaped bathtub. This unique image evokes a sense of surrealism, allowing him to indulge in a moment of introspection. Within this whimsical setting, he finds himself likening his experience to that of the historical figure Jean-Paul Marat, who is famously associated with a dramatic scene from revolutionary history.

However, he notes the absence of a "white-necked maiden," a reference to the act of betrayal and violence that defined Marat's narrative. This juxtaposition highlights the protagonist's feelings of loneliness and longing, contrasting the imagined grandeur of his situation with a stark reality. Through this metaphor, Nabokov explores themes of desire, alienation, and the complexity of human experience.