Summary: Chapter 4
With the help of Humbert’s acquaintance Gaston Godin,
Humbert and Lolita move to 14 Thayer Street, an unimpressive house
in Beardsley. Humbert is disappointed in the Beardsley School for Girls,
which emphasizes social skills rather than intellectual achievement.
The headmistress, Pratt, believes that Beardsley girls must focus
on the “four D’s”: Dramatics, Dance, Debating, and Dating. Humbert
is appalled, but some teachers reassure him that the girls do some
good, solid schoolwork. The Thayer Street house has a view of the
school playground, which pleases Humbert, since he believes he will
be able to watch Lolita and, he hopes, other nymphets. Unfortunately,
builders arrive to make changes and block his view.
Summary: Chapter 5
Humbert describes Beardsley and his neighbors, with whom
he is on civil yet distant terms. He constantly worries that they
might snoop on his arrangement. Humbert also worries that Lolita
might confide in their cook, Mrs. Holigan, and tries to make sure
that they are never left alone together.
Summary: Chapter 6
Humbert’s friendship with Gaston Godin, a popular man
regarded as a French sophisticate and genius scholar, smoothes his
arrival in the new town of Beardsley. Gaston knows all of the small
boys in the neighborhood and has portraits of them, as well as famous
artists, in his home. Humbert enjoys their occasional chess games
but finds Gaston to be a mediocre scholar and somewhat dim-witted.
Summary: Chapter 7
Humbert and Lolita’s relationship has become more strained. Despite
her allowance and many small presents, Lolita wants more money,
and she starts to demand it before performing sexual favors. Humbert
periodically breaks into her room to steal back her savings so she
cannot run away from him.
Summary: Chapter 8
Humbert worries about Lolita attracting boys, and he reads
the local paper’s teen advice column for instruction. He allows
Lolita to interact with some boys in groups, but never alone, a
rule that upsets Lolita. Despite his attempt to control every aspect
of Lolita’s life, Humbert can’t be sure that she hasn’t stolen away
with a boy. However, he has no particular boy to suspect. Humbert
imagines how others see him and wonders how he has managed to fool
everyone. He still lives in a constant state of anxiety.
Summary: Chapter 9
Humbert finds himself disappointed by Lolita’s friends,
few of whom are nymphets. He talks to Lolita’s friend Mona to discover
if Lolita has any boyfriends, but Mona, rather than supplying Humbert
with details, seems attracted to him instead.
