In Vladimir Nabokov's novel "Lolita," the concept of moral sense reflects the complex relationship between morality and beauty. The protagonist grapples with his desires and the societal norms surrounding them, highlighting the tension between personal impulses and moral obligations. This struggle emphasizes how our sense of beauty can conflict with ethical responsibilities, forcing characters and readers alike to confront uncomfortable truths about desire and morality.
The quote suggests that there is an inherent duty to navigate and evaluate our perceptions of beauty through a moral lens. As mortals, we are challenged to reconcile our aesthetic experiences with the responsibilities that come with them. Nabokov's exploration of this theme pushes us to consider how our judgments of beauty are intertwined with our ethical considerations, ultimately shaping our understanding of life and human experience.