I looked and looked at her, and I knew, as clearly as I know that I will die, that I loved her more than anything I had ever seen or imagined on earth. She was only the dead-leaf echo of the nymphet from long ago - but I loved her, this Lolita, pale and polluted and big with another man's child. She could fade and wither - I didn't care. I would still go mad with tenderness at the mere sight of her face.
The quote expresses a profound and obsessive love that blurs the lines between admiration and possession. The narrator conveys an indelible truth of his emotions, recognizing an intense devotion to Lolita, who represents both a cherished past and a troubling present. Despite her current state, he remains captivated by her essence, highlighting how love can persist even when the object of affection is changed or flawed.
This passage reflects the complexity of desire and the painful recollection of things lost, emphasizing a deep emotional turmoil. The reference to her being "pale and polluted" evokes a mixture of beauty and despair, suggesting that love can flourish even in the midst of moral ambiguity. Ultimately, this love, despite its darkness and complications, reveals an enduring madness that consumes the narrator, as he grapples with the overwhelming nature of his feelings.
