Lolita pp. 179-236

In this section of reading for Lolita, the reader sees both characters transform and show more maturity. As least from my perspective they do, and at sometimes they swing back and forth from evolving to a more mature person back to their old ways of careless, "pedophile" ways. The reader also learns about Humbert disapointment of the school he has Lolita attending, Beardsley. The head of the school and Humbert have somewhat different points of views when it comes to education. Beardsley seems to be more of a acting and drama school more than a higher level of education as it is regarded in the eyes of Humbert. "I am now faced with the distasteful task of recording a definite drop on Lolita's morals.", here we see Humbert fall back into his insecure side about Lolita. He wants every bit of control over what Lolita does and who she is with, never wanting to let go. And for him being a father, I could see why, however everyone eventually grows up at some point yet he refuses to let it happen. We also begin to see a more manipulative side of Lolita, at least when it comes to money and sex. Humbert constantly gives Lolita money and allowance, "under the condition she fulfill her basic obligations" as Humbert puts it. Whatever this may mean Lolita has almost turned into a prostitute of some sort. Before doing anything she begs and wants more money. And this is what I am talking about when I say both characters change a bit in becoming more mature, yet fall back to their old ways. Humbert can't let go of Lolita and let her grow up, and Lolita takes advantage of Humbert and falls back to being an immature little girl about things.
During this passage we also see Humbert meet Lolita's friends in which when he meets them, "probed on the whole disappointing". But we see how protective Humbert is when he tries to find out if Lolita may be sneaking somebody behind his back. We also see how Pratt begins to question Lolita's maturity of things when Pratt talks to Humbert. "Dolly Haze, is a lovely child, but the onset of sexual maturing seems to give her trouble." at this point Humbert doesn't really know what to say to Pratt. Pratt is basically upset with the fact that Lolita seems not to have any real relationship with any boys. Pratt believes Humbert is old fashioned and conservative and this attitude is having an affect on Lolita's experience at the school. Next is an example of why Humbert shows maturity and a sense of being a father figure. I think Humbert was upset when Pratt accused Lolita of not being able to have a relationship with boys and so he throws a party for Lolita. Even though the party was a bust and Lolita really doesn't want anything to do with the boys, the reader sees a more mature Humbert giving into society a little.
Further on through the passage I get the feeling Humbert is much more into education and higher education that is, then Lolita. I felt like at some-point Lolita may have stopped going to school or her play, just being fed up with all the higher learning. Humbert hates this of course and wants her to appreciate what she has. all this ties in with the whole them of maturing forward into the new, and falling back to the old during this passage. so once again we see a more father figure that Humbert begins to play for Lolita. We see on slots of this throughout this whole section of reading and I feel as if Humbert finally has become a Father to her at least in his eyes. Yes he still wants her to be innocent but most father's that have daughters probably do anyways. Lolita shows signs of maturity at times but then falls back into her old ways of not wanting to go to school and begging for more money all things that just represent a 12 year old.