>>>What about “Lolita” by Vladimir Nabokov? The novel and 2 movies.<<<
First a rebuke, then agreement.
“Lolita” is obviously written for adults. The language, the presentation, and the characterization is designed for adults. Not many high school students would read it and enjoy it. Having said that....
“Lolita” is part of a trend which is continuing with these books for teenagers. The trend is to “push the envelope” so things that used to private and sacred - like sex with consenting adults - becomes something that is desanctified and political. Think about everything that’s been popularized since “Lolita,” and you can see a clear trend toward greater sexualization, a greater acceptance of pornography, and less and less judgment applied to sexuality in general. You can see it in movies and television, hear it in music lyrics... you can even see it in the fact that we’re discussing it right now in an open forum, whereas 50 years ago a fair number of people would have just been too embarrassed to speak about these topics out loud.
In fact, the trend started way before “Lolita.” And where it will end... well, every time I think we’ve hit bottom, there’s a new bottom. Maybe Huxley had the future right after all. Or maybe we will rediscover modesty and shame. Who knows?
Of course, the protagonist in Lolita ends up dead (as I believe does Lolita herself).
This “trend” has its ups and downs. I believe in the 70s, Playboy had playmates as young as 16. And, honestly, the advent of online [often free] porn dwarfs whatever impact the referenced books wil have.
One day, maybe within 50 years or so, you’ll no doubt be able to “download” sexual experiences directly into your brain. Chances are I won’t be around for that, however.
When “The Scarlet Letter” first came out it was a scandal. Now I wish more kids would read it.