There are gentle souls who would pronounce Lolita meaningless because it does not teach them anything. I am neither a reader nor a writer of didactic fiction...For me a work of fiction exists only insofar as it affords me what I shall bluntly call aesthetic bliss, that is a sense of being somehow, somewhere, connected with other states of being where art {curiosity, tenderness, kindness, ecstasy} is the norm.
In his novel "Lolita," Vladimir Nabokov expresses a view on literature that departs from traditional didactic themes. He suggests that some may dismiss the work as meaningless if it fails to provide moral or educational lessons. Instead, Nabokov values the aesthetic experience of fiction, emphasizing the emotional and sensory connections it fosters. To him, the essence of art lies in its ability to evoke profound feelings and insights into different states of existence.
Nabokov's perspective highlights a belief in the importance of beauty and emotion in literature, which goes beyond mere storytelling or moral instruction. He believes that true art should transport readers to realms where curiosity, tenderness, kindness, and ecstasy thrive, serving as a celebration of human experience rather than a tool for teaching. This notion invites readers to appreciate the intrinsic artistic merit of a work, regardless of its explicit messages.
