"...what I feared most was not that she might ruin me, but that she might accumulate sufficient cash to run away. I believe the poor fierce-eyed child had figured out that with a mere fifty dollars in her purse she might somehow reach Broadway or Hollywood- or the foul kitchen of a diner (Help Wanted)..." -Page 185
This passage includes the themes of both obsession and control. He is so obsessed with Lolita that he would rather be altogether ruined than be without her. However, the two are closely related. It is as if Humbert doesn't think that far ahead. If he were to be "ruined," he wouldn't have Lolita anyways.
Money is one way that Humbert control's Lolita. He pays her 21 cents everyday as long as she does her 'duty.' However, money as a means of control often backfires. It backfires because Lolita knows that Humbert really desires her 'duties' and because Humbert fears she could use this money to leave him.
At the end of passage I, Lolita is very upset with Humbert but in the end goes back to him sobbing because "she had absolutely nowhere else to go" (142). She does appear to be saving up money. But for what? Do you really think that she might attempt to run away? Sometimes, the abused save up enough resources, but never get the the courage to run away. Do you think that is Lolita's case?
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