In these chapters we see Humbert's paranoia grow vastly because of "Trapp" tailing him and Lolita. The harder Humbert tries to control Lolita the faster he loses control of her, ironically. The butterfly theme is also very apparent within these chapters. Mirroring Lolita's transformation from innocent little girl to more of a femme fatale figure with her plotting her get away. It also represents Lolita's metamorphosis from girl to woman, we see her develop into her person and is not merely a 'thing' anymore. The more out of Humbert's grasp Lolita grows into the archetype of femme fatale with her espionage, acting cruel, and continuing to be irresistible in Humbert's eyes.
Finding Lo. Part Two: Chapters 27-29.
Once Humbert loses Lolita we see his paranoia erupt into full blown insanity. Seeing meaning in things that were just coincidences. For example the number 342, 342 Lawn st. is where Humbert met Lolita, 342 is the motel room number where they first had sex, and throughout their road trip across America Humbert and Lolita stayed in 342 motels. After Humbert realizes Lolita is lost and begins his relationship with Rita, he doesn't return to molesting nymphets. We question wether or not Humbert's infatuation with nymphets was a direct result of his relationship with Annabel, and was his way of trying to innocently relive that intense love, or if he was just a pedophile that accepted defeat after Lolita escaped, too emotionally exhausted to chase another nymphet. The Annabel hypothesis is strengthened when Lolita writes to Humbert asking for financial help and he realizes he still and always will love her. Humbert has matured in this section, illustrated by his reaction to Lolita's refusal to leave with him.
Killing Quilty. Part Two: Chapters 33-end
The final three chapter of Lolita contain a lot of self reflection. Humbert finally has an epiphany about his impact on Lolita and how he robbed her of her childhood which destroyed her life. Before Humbert finally offs Quilty the poem he reads him, detailing his assaults against Lolita, is really a reflection of himself and a tool for Humbert to confront himself in his head about his own trespasses against Lolita. Humbert's skewed view of himself in contrast to Quilty lulls himself into a false view of righteousness. Viewing Quilty as evil and the blame for all the abuse Lolita has endured Humbert kills him in an attempt to kill his own guilt and a way to repent for his sins.
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