The Ethical Content of Lolita

Vladimir Nabokov’s novel, Lolita, has been controversial since its original publication in 1958. The book has been called immoral and pornographic, mainly as a consequence of its focus on Humbert Humbert, the murderer and pedophile who narrates the work. The goal of my thesis is to show it is dangerous and shortsighted to dismiss the novel as simply immoral. Rather, it is a complex work that confronts the reader at every turn, inviting her to be empathetic to the narrator, and then reminding him that the man has committed rape and murder. These abrupt changes in perspective are an astounding achievement for Nabokov, as they challenge the reader’s expectations of how he will react to what he considers right and wrong. In my thesis, I explore how the aesthetics of the text combined with Humbert’s educated rationalizations of his behavior repeatedly invite the reader’s sympathy in the face of the deeds he has committed. I also reveal how Lolita’s wounded voice can be heard despite these distractions, resulting in a highly moral content exploring the relationship between a criminal and his victim. My research methods include a literary analysis of the text, as well as an investigation into the scholarly work on the novel. I have discovered that the conception of the novel as immoral is a consequence of Humbert’s powerful prose, which includes beautiful imagery, captivating metaphors, entertaining word play, and comical encounters to mask the depravity of his actions and manipulate the reader’s emotions. Additionally, he repeatedly rationalizes his behavior on a number of grounds, principally that it is logically acceptable, is a misunderstood consequence of his identity as an artist, and a result of his genuine love for Lolita. However, the discerning reader can see through the transparency of these objections and recognize how poorly he treats the young girl he claims to love. Furthermore, Lolita’s voice can be heard beneath Humbert’s narration and often contradicts his account of the novel’s events. As the reader begins to understand the horror of Lolita’s situation she becomes less sympathetic towards Humbert and is able to recognize the immorality of his actions. Nabokov claims his book “has no moral in tow,” yet the work clearly has a moral content as the reader gains insight into the relationship between Humbert and Lolita, and recognizes Humbert for the immoral man he truly is. Thus, a work that appears immoral from the outset may have a compelling moral message for the discerning reader and one the author himself may have failed to recognize

Books or Toys? A Traveller’s Tale: Researching Early Movable Books for and by Children in Material and Virtual Collections

A number of years ago, I first experienced the thrill of gaining access to the Bodleian Library at Oxford University and being granted permission to see some of the books that compose the famous Opie Collection. This joy as I sat in the New Bodleian Reading room was compounded when the Head of the Special Collections Clive Hurst, upon being told my interest in early children’s literature and culture, brought by an exquisite, little thin mid-18th century volume. When he opened it up it revealed a story of words and etched pictures about a set of characters called Harlequin, Columbine, and Clown that proceeded by means of flaps that could be lifted up and down, the directions for use sometimes being set in the verse or printed on top of the picture. He looked at me and said, ‘Are these books or toys?

Quinine blocks 5-HT and 5-HT3 receptor mediated peristalsis in both guinea pig and mouse ileum tissue

Introduction. Quinine is commonly used to treat malaria; however one of the principal side effects is gastrointestinal disturbances (White, 1992). 5-HT3 receptors modulate gut peristalsis (Chetty et al., 2006), and, as quinine has been shown to act as a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist (Thompson and Lummis, 2008) it is possible that these side effects result from actions at gut 5-HT3 receptors. To address this question, we examined the ability of quinine to antagonise 5-HT and 5-HT3 mediated peristalsis in guinea pig and mouse ileum. Methods. Ileum was excised from male guinea pigs (200-300g) and C57BL/6 mice (25-35g) following cervical dislocation. Ileum segments (3-5 cm) were mounted in 50 ml organ baths containing Tryode’s solution at 35-37 °C. Concentration-response curves were constructed for 5-HT and the selective 5-HT3 agonist 2-Me-5-HT (non-cumulative doses). Quinine was pre-applied for 10 min and inhibition measured using agonist concentrations that elicited a submaximal response. Results. Concentration-dependent contractions produced by 5-HT (pEC50 = 5.45 ± 0.17, n = 8) and the selective 5-HT3 agonist 2-Me-5-HT (5.01 ± 0.17, n = 11) were not significantly different (Student’s t-test, t = 0.619, df = 17, p = 0.544) in guinea pig ileum. Increasing concentrations of quinine were able to antagonise the activities of both 5-HT (pIC50 = 5.03 ± 0.2, n = 6) and 2-Me-5HT (pIC50 = 4.59 ± 0.26, n = 4). At mouse ileum, 5-HT (pEC50 = 7.57 ± 0.33, n = 9) was more potent (Student’s t-test, t = 3.6, df = 12, p = 0.004) than 2-Me-5-HT (pEC50 = 5.45 ± 0.58, n = 5). Quinine antagonised both the 5-HT (pIC50 = 4.87 ± 0.31, n = 7) and 2-Me-5-HT-induced (pIC50 = 6.18 ± 1.14, n = 4) contractions. Conclusions. These results support previous electrophysiological studies that identified quinine as an antagonist at recombinant 5-HT3 receptors with IC50 values comparable with those reported here (pIC50 = 4.87, Thompson et al., 2007). Further, we found that quinine completely blocked 5-HT induced contractions in mouse and guinea pig, raising the possibility that quinine targets other 5-HT receptors in the gut (e.g., 5-HT4 receptors) and may influence intestinal function

Light Therapy: Therapeutic Potential for the Management of Depression in Primary Care

The management of depression utilises both pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies. A recent meta-analysis has demonstrated that light therapy (LT) is effective in thetreatment of non-seasonal depression (NSAD). However, there is a paucity of evidence exploring itseffectiveness in those using LT in their own homes. The aim of this thesis is to design a randomised controlled trial to test the effectiveness of LT in Primary Care. A literature search was conducted from which options for key aspects of the study design wereidentified. This included eligibility criteria, duration of study, time of day and duration of light therapy use, feasibility of monitoring requirements and timing of saliva samples, perceived effectiveness of LT, and preference for the appearance of the LT device including both its size and the colour of light. Exploratory qualitative studies were undertaken, with stake-holders (GPs and the general public) to explore their awareness of LT, their views and opinions on the effectiveness, safety and feasibility of LT in the management of depression, and the aspects described above of theproposed study protocol. Strategies for recruitment of participants and use of incentives were also explored. Thirteen people, with experience of depression, participated in two focus group discussions. Awareness of the use of LT was mostly in relation to treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). No-one had used LT themselves, although some knew of others who had tried it. Generally, it was perceived as being suitable as an adjuvant therapy. It was considered to be safe as it was ‘natural’and had an ‘external action’, although misconceptions relating to tanning of the skin were held. Participants considered that the study design would be feasible to adhere to. Their preferred device distributed the brightest white light. However, they were open to using red light if they were told it would work. Participants suggested recruitment via routes other than through the GP, and advised that financial incentives to take part in the study were not required. They perceived participation in a trial as being a reward in itself. Five interviews were carried out with GPs. Most related LT use to treatment of SAD and were cautiously optimistic in their expectations of its effectiveness in NSAD, although all emphasised that there was currently a lack of evidence to support its use for this indication. They had negligible concerns regarding its safety. There was a clear need for something to offer patients with mild depression who had persistent symptoms and it was thought that, if the evidence was there to support it, light therapy could fill this need. The GPs main concern regarding the proposed study was maintaining confidentiality of participants and that participants themselves would not be ableto adhere to the LT regimen. They were supportive of the proposed study and were happy to support recruitment into it. As a result of these exploratory studies a trial protocol was developed. The procedure for recruitment of participants, eligibility criteria, LT dosing regimen, and choice of placebo were all influenced by this approach. Feedback from the focus group also lead to additional information, for example relating to side-effects, and effectiveness of different light therapy colours being added tothe Patient Information leaflets. The study has been submitted to, and received approval from, NHSResearch Ethics Committee and the relevant NHS Research Governance approval has been granted

Dapiprazole HCI: A literature review

Dapiprazole HCl ophthalmic eyedrops have been recently introduced to the optometric profession, and more specifically to optometrists practicing in therapeutic states. This diagonostic drug is used in reversing mydriasis induced by adrenergic or parasympatholytic agents. This is a literature review which covers the entire scope of dapiprazole HCl, or better known as Rev-Eyes, with special emphasis on the specific research studies and the subjective reported side effects, both systemic and ocular

Síolta: The National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education.

This paper introduces Síolta, the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education (NQF) that has been developed under the auspices of the Department of Education and Science (DES). Síolta is a quality assurance programme that has been developed by the Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education (CECDE), in consultation with the wider early childhood care and education (ECCE) sector in Ireland. It is applicable to all settings in which children aged from birth to six years are present and therefore crosses many of the traditional divides between care and education and between the formal school sector and the informal ECCE sector. The Framework has been produced at a time when national and international attention is focused as never before on the issue of quality ECCE services, and their role in enhancing the lives of our youngest children. It distils and captures the concerted momentum of the sector in recent years towards the attainment of quality and provides a reference point for all those involved in ECCE services towards this end. The paper begins by detailing the development process involved in creating Síolta. The substantive focus pivots on the content of Síolta, namely the Principles, Standards and Components of Quality. This is followed by an overview of the assessment and support systems proposed for Síolta. The paper concludes by describing the national testing and evaluation process envisaged for Síolta

An insight into light as a chronobiological therapy in affective disorders

The field of chronobiology has vastly expanded over the past few decades, bringing together research from the fields of circadian rhythms and sleep. The importance of the environmental day–night cycle on our health is becoming increasingly evident as we evolve into a 24-hour society. Reducing or changing sleep times against our natural instincts to rest at night has a detrimental impact on our well-being. The mammalian circadian clock, termed "the suprachiasmatic nucleus", is responsible for synchronizing our behavioral and physiological outputs to the environment. It utilizes light transcoded by specialized retinal photoreceptors as its cue to set internal rhythms to be in phase with the light–dark cycle. Misalignment of these outputs results in symptoms such as altered/disturbed sleep patterns, changes in mood, and physical and mental exhaustion – symptoms shared by many affective clinical disorders. Key links to circadian abnormalities have been found in a number of disorders, such as seasonal affective disorder, nonseasonal depression, and bipolar affective disorder. Furthermore, therapies developed through chronobiological research have been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of these conditions. In this article, we discuss the impact of circadian research on the management of affective disorders, giving evidence of how a misaligned circadian system may be a contributor to the symptoms of depression and how moderating circadian rhythms with light therapy benefits patients