View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Charlotte Haze is described by the narrator in Part 1, Chapter 10 as having “quite simple but not unattractive features of a type that may be defined as a weak solution of” whom?

2. H.H. tells Lolita that her mother is in a hospital near what town in Part 1, Chapter 27?

3. What is the name of Charlotte Haze’s late husband and Lolita’s father in the novel?

4. The accident that killed Charlotte has only been reported in what newspaper, according to the narrator in Part 1, Chapter 25?

5. What is the name of Charlotte Haze’s neighbor across the street who is described as an invalid?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is H.H.’s second marriage and wedding night described in Part 1, Chapter 18?

2. How does H.H. respond to Charlotte’s suggestion of going to England in Part 1, Chapter 21?

3. What solidifies H.H.’s intentions regarding Charlotte and Lolita in Part 1, Chapter 17? What action does he take?

4. What written work does H.H. present in Part 1, Chapter 11? What is revealed through this text?

5. What leads to H.H.’s initial thoughts of murdering Charlotte in Part 1, Chapter 20?

6. How does H.H. describe his experience with a young French prostitute in Part 1, Chapter 6?

7. What information does H.H. learn from Charlotte’s letter in Part 1, Chapter 16? How does he respond to this information?

8. How does H.H. describe his parentage, birthplace, and childhood in Part 1, Chapter 2?

9. What conversation do H.H. and Lolita have regarding her mother when he arrives at camp in Part 1, Chapter 27?

10. What events lead to H.H. and Lolita being alone together in the house in Part 1, Chapter 13? How does he describe their meeting in the house?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the author’s development of sexual tension in Part 1, Chapters 1-12. How is the sexual tension between Lolita and H.H. illustrated? Given that H.H. is a subjective narrator, how reliable do you think his depictions are of Lolita’s actions?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the publication history of Lolita, controversies after its publication, the banning of the novel, and the criticism, biography, and works of author Vladimir Nabokov. Where did Nabokov choose to first have Lolita published? Why? How did critics respond to the controversial subject matter of the novel?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and discuss the character of Valeria in the novel. How does H.H. meet Valeria? What are his principle objectives in marrying her? How does he characterize their marriage?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 924 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample