Dealing with Guilt in Nabokov's Lolita and McEwan's Atonement

Vladimir Nabokov''s Lolita and Ian McEwan''s Atonement appear to be two very different novels. On a second glance the intelligent narrative strategies applied by the two authors bring them to the same level by means of treating the theme of guilt. It is a matter of complex analysis and research to allign the two novels. The authenticity of the two literary constructions results from the ways in which they adapt interpretation to the historical and cultural context. Hence reading Lolita and Atonement today might render different analysis. Nevertheless Humbert Humbert and Briony will always beg for forgiveness in the imaginary trial in which they were condemned by their author-creators.