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From The Times

February 1, 2008

Staff at Woolworths baffled by fuss over the little girl’s bed called Lolita

A 'Lolita Midsleeper Combi' girls bed as featured in a Woolworths catalogue

Rosemary Bennett, Social Affairs Correspondent

Woolworths has withdrawn bedroom furniture for young girls bearing the sexually charged name Lolita after a campaign waged by a mothers’ online chat room.

The Lolita Midsleeper Combi, a whitewashed wooden bed with pull-out desk and cupboard intended for girls aged about 6, was on sale on the Woolworths website for £395.

A mother who was browsing the site for a new bed for her daughter was so shocked at the brand name that she posted a message on the Raisingkids. co.uk website asking other parents whether they felt the same. “Am I being particularly sensitive, or does anyone else out there think it’s bad taste for Woolies to have a kiddy bed range named ‘Lolita’?.”

A tirade of messages followed from mothers equally horrified that a young girl’s bed should be sold under such a name. Several said that they would complain to the store chain.

Whereas many mothers were familiar with Vladimir Nabokov and his famous novel, it seems that the Woolworths staff were not. At first they were baffled by the fuss. A spokesman for the company told The Times: “What seems to have happened is the staff who run the website had never heard of Lolita, and to be honest no one else here had either. We had to look it up on Wikipedia. But we certainly know who she is now.”

For the benefit of any other Woolworths staff, Lolita was the 12-year-old girl who became the object of her middle-aged stepfather’s sexual obsession in the literary classic of the same name. Thanks to the novel the name has come to represent sexual precociousness in young girls.

At first the store refused to withdraw the product. It said that although it wanted to appeal to the family market, “we also have to respond to customer demands and follow current trends”.

But after further outraged contact from the mothers, it decided to withdraw the bed from sale. The company said in a statement: “A product called the Lolita Midsleeper Combi was ranged online from a direct supplier. This was a bedroom set for £395. Now this has been brought to our attention, the product has been removed from sale with immediate effect. We will be talking to the supplier with regard to how the branding came about.”

An internal company e-mail seen by The Times shows a panicked response by senior staff once they came to understand the association. “As discussed, we’ve got the product below on our website. Can it be hidden as soon as is possible? Then I really need to find out how it came about being on our site and who bought it,” the e-mail said.

“Lolita is a word that means sexually active young teenagers, so a young girls’ range of bedroom products is in very poor taste. We’ve had an approach from a website who are clearly a little disturbed by this.”

Catherine Hanly, who edits the Raisingkids.co.uk site, said it was good to know that parents could have such strong influence on a company. “It’s also interesting to see how fast a multinational company can move if it’s worried about its public image.”

The decision to withdraw the bed is the latest example of online parent power. Last summer, angry parents demanded that a cinema advertisement about the disappearance of Madeleine McCann should no longer be screened before the children’s film Shrek the Third. The advertisement appeared without warning, and parents were furious that they felt obliged to tell their children about the abduction. After a campaign on the Mumsnet website, the advert was withdrawn.

In 2006 Tesco was removed its pole-dancing kit from the toys and games section of its website after it was accused of destroying children’s innocence.

Arguing about the actual meaning of the book, and whether 'Lolita' was a victim or a seductress seems irrelevant. Whether she was a seductress or abused the furniture was designed for young girls and the name was wholly inappropriate!

Caitlin Connors, Middlesborough, England

Laura S, I have not only read the book, but have studied it at University and your summary of the plot is completely incorrect- Mary Lee's is in fact correct.

Nabokov wrote the book from the perspective of Humbert Humbert. He was attempting to seduce the reader to believe HH's skewed version of truth (ie that Lolita was his willing lover, rather than a child he raped and abused) and have the reader warm to HH, and see him as a thwarted lover, despite the fact that HH was something despicable- a predatory pedophile.

The inspiration for this came from a news article Nabokov read in which an ape in a cage at the zoo drew a picture, and the picture it drew was the bars of its cage. Nabokov was writing as HH trapped within the cage of his own perception, his narrative is actually the bars of his cage.

The reader is to attempt to see beyond the prison of HH's perception to find the truth of the story- ie that Lolita was not willing nor sexually precocious, and that HH stole her innocence

Kathleen , Glasgow, UK

Mary Lee Bragg, your summary of the novel suggests that you have not read it at all. Delores actually admits to having sexual encounters with numerous young men before she is 'corrupted' by Humbert Humbert. It has been suggested by numerous literary critics that Lolita (Delores) actually corrupts Humbert! The plot is not so two-dimensional as your post would suggest.

Avy Ferguson, 'Lolita' isn't in any way about 'over-sexed teens', it is about a sexually precocious 12 year-old.

Laura S, Southampton, UK

Those who have actually read the novel "Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov know that it is about a pedophile who exploits and repeatedly rapes a young girl. The narrator of the book, Humbert Humbert, is well aware that he has destroyed the child's innocence, but lies to himself by pretending that she is "sexually active".
Nabokov himself was horrified by critics who termed the novel a "love story". It is anything but.
Continuing to identify the child as the temptress just continues her victimization.

Mary Lee Bragg, Ottawa, Ontario

I think its absolutely shocking that people lumping the 30,000 people that work for Woolworths together and are calling them stupid and illiterate. How dare you! Do you know all these people? NO!! I suggest you think before you start insulting so many people that had absolutely NOTHING to do with this. This was a small handful of people's mistake, not the whole 30,000. Everyone makes mistakes people, GET OVER IT!!! Also i bet if you asked your daughter who this person is they wouldn't know either, does this make them stupid and illiterate too? I suggest you think before you speak (or type) next time!!!

Hayley Grant, Edinburgh,

Lolita is NOT just about over-sexed teens. If you notice the current fashion trend (esp in Japan) where girls and women dress like 19th century dolls, you'll also see that that entire trend is coined as Lolita. It's gone from dirty to doll-like. You would think the mothers could get over what USED to be, and head on to what it is NOW.

Avy Ferguson, Philadelphia, PA, USA

How stupid, I mean the whole story. Starting with the Woolworth staff illiteracy,ending with the hyperactive mother's bigotry and taste-discussions, and ending with website owners' ignorance :)

The bed set supplier must have had a good sense of humour.

Alex, Moscow,

Are they doing Hitler gas masks too? Or Saddam rope? Or Abul Hanza hand hooks?

Helen E., London, UK

I can't wait to see Woolworth's new line of Humbert-Humbert men's reclining chairs.

Damon D. Hickey, Wooster, USA/Ohio

Woolworths have been castigated for stupidity. Nabakov has been lauded for his works and use of language. At the time of publication Lolita was just another name but now it has taken on another meaning, robbing the book of some of the power and skill through misappropriation by pornographers. For that reason Woolworths showed an alarming level of stupidity as the name is no longer "just a name", it comes fully loaded and coded. And no, it is not about "getting a life" it is about a larger level of greed among manufacturers who knowingly exploit situations (whether it is Ryan Air and a cynical ploy for cheap/free publicity) or a company making padded bras for pre-teens and claiming it is to meet "demand". It is also about society taking a level of responsibility and asking people to think a little more. Key in the name Lolita to a search enging and yes, somewhat, unfortunately you may then get a visit from the police. That is a bigger picture to consider - and you can't blame Nabakov.

PL, London, UK

K M Rogers, with those heart-shaped sunglasses, should be thankful of living in France. Over here in the UK political correctness has taken such a hold that an arrest could easily follow, especially in the context of a school.

Mike Mitchell, Spalding, England

I suppose Woolworths had to back down. But "Lolita" (the novel) is a masterpiece, and it is more about a disposessed Russian's unrequited love for America and for the English language than it is a sordid tale of paedophilic lust. It is also (perish the thought) a very moral book. Humbert Humbert may have abused Lolita, but he loved her and he repented bitterly for what he had done to her,and at the end, when he has to say goodbye to her for ever, he drives away in the rain, "but the windshield wipers could not wipe away my tears". Such subtleties, alas, no longer matter. We will increasingly see books censored because they do not square with our view of what is acceptable, be it about race, women, or childhood. Never mind. Sentiments come and go; great works of art last for ever. Nabokov's masterpiece will long outlive this rather silly hoo-hah.

JF, Canterbury, UK

What the novel is or isn't is irrelevant (that is merely where the word derives its meaning). The current meaning of the term Lolita is not an "innocent" reference to a "comedy" novel. If you type Lolita into Google images it will not be pictures of a Russian author that you get in your result list. Furthermore, if you ask a teenager what Lolita means they will probably either not know(hopefully) or tell you that it means a preteen pornstar. That is what it means nowadays. Assertions to the contrary are not mistaken they are simple lies intended to make this seem an "innocent' mistake. The intentional sexualization of children is absolutely neccessary to keep the supply of exploitable children coming for the multibillion dollar sex trade. They child groomers and recruiters know it and some of us on this side know it and are willing to wield our strength to fight the tide.

Rob

Rob Forsyth, Surrey, Canada

Where I live in northern Spain, a lot of females of all ages - from zero to over a hundred - are called Dolores, and a large proportion of them - of all the ages mentioned - are addressed as either Lola or Lolita, the two diminutives. My eighty-five year old neighbour Lolita will be most amused, and even possibly a little flattered, when I tell her later on this morning that she has a "sexually charged" name. Evil is in the eye of the beholder, I think.

Chris Beach, Asturias, Spain

Samantha is a very common name in pole-dancers. Will those parents complain when a furniture named "Samantha" come out for sale? Why don't they better demand for a better education for their kids, so these won't have to repeat their parent's ridiculous role? I mean, there are so many reasonable battles to fight, and those people are just evading the reality. "Lolita's bed" was such an idiot cause, that's why they won it. I'd like to see them working pro something that really worth it. A whole REAL chaos is waiting out there!

Kutzi, Zacatecas, Mexico

I think it's very sad that a lovely name like Lolita has been tarnished by so many people because of a book & a film. It's a pity people just can't see past that, with their narrow mindness.

LolitaMay, Dunfermline, United Kingdom

I bet Woolworths knew exactly what they were doing and got caught out! Well done Mums. Who in their right minds would pay that amount of money for what looks like a load of plywood slung together anyway?

Anne, Oxon,

Am I the only one that finds the fact that Tesco sold a pole-dancing kit in it's toy department HILARIOUS?

Teri, San Francisco, USA

From the Merriam Webster online dictionary

lolita
One entry found.

Lolita

Main Entry:
LoÂ·liÂ·ta Listen to the pronunciation of Lolita
Pronunciation:
\lÅ-ËˆlÄ“-tÉ™\
Function:
noun
Etymology:
from Lolita, character in the novel Lolita (1955) by Vladimir Nabokov
Date:
1959

: a precociously seductive girl

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From a well known amateur erotica websites list of story codes which are used to search for stories of interest :

lolita Lolita When a little girl is the instigator of sex, seducing an older man or woman.

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It is many years since I read Nabokov's book but I would certainly agree that this is an unfortunate choice of name for this product given its intended market and top marks to Woolworths for pulling the product. "Nul points" however for advertising it in the first place

Nick, Reading,

I have a pair of sunglasses with hearts on them exactly like the ones in the 'Lolita' photo in this article. Should I stop wearing my sunglasses when walking in to the school where I teach? Should I stop wearing them all together for fear of scandalising someone I may encounter on the street? I need to know.

K M Rogers, Nevers, France

for a store that sells books you would think that at least one employee might have read one - obviously not!

carol, cwmbran,

Plain Lo in the morning, standing 4 foot 10 in one sock... Obviously it's well known to most of the Woolies staff, but seems that it slipped through the net. Someone in the management has a sense of humour. Definitely the perfect story to read on a Friday afternoon.

Suerly all they needed to do was change the name of the prduct on the website?

james, london,

So the men are quite happy then, as represented by the 'get a life' brigade?

J.C., Devon,

What seems to escape most of the online panic parents is that Lolita is a comedy and the connotations of having a bed named after (amongst other things) a Russian novel is unlikely to corrupt young minds. Perhaps there are bigger and better things to worry about (?)

I wonder how many of the outraged over-18s have actually read the novel.

Probably a little short-sighted from Woolies but in the grand scheme of things no great shakes. Does my Ikea Billie bookcase refer to the sexual antics of a 15yo pop star? If so get it out of my house before my whole family is polluted with the filth!

Michael, Manchester,

Why does a bed need a name (hello?), I think the people at Woolworths are better educated than you think. They couldn't have bought the free advertising they've had on TV, Radio & the press today. I'd love to see the sales figures of the 'Lolita' next month. Garry,Sheffield

Garry Newton, Sheffield, Yorkshire

For those who read books or are at least aware of the connotations of the name Lolita, then this clearly was in bad taste. They could choose any name for their children's bedset, and yet they choose a name that reminds us of the sexual obsession of an older man with a young girl. What next, the Adolf gas mask set?

Mark, Moscow,

Adolf and Ghenghis were real people. Lolita was just a character in a book. It is/was a common name or pet name in Latin-American countries. These mothers really sahould go andget a life and Woolworth's should tell them to go take a runniog jump.

Roger Tilbury, Worthing,

This country is full of idiots.

Get a life people! Your child doesn't care what the name of her bed is. She is a CHILD. Being in that bed will not automatically make her sexually precocious.

Rick Jacobs, London,

Funnily enough, after doing 5 minutes research on the internet, Lolita is apparently a pet name for 'Delores', which means 'sorrows', and not 'sexually active young teenagers', so close, but no cigar, Woolworths.

I think that the lesson to be learnt here is that parents are stupid. I agree with the above - get a life - it's a NAME, and any connotations you make with it say more about you than anything else.

John, London,

Hooray - customer-power rules - ok!

Annie, Bath,

These mums seem to have plenty of spare time on their hands.
I think some people ought to get a life!

Brian Clacey, Croydon, UK

It's absolutely astonishing that no-one at Woolworths had ever heard of the Nabokov's now legendary book Lolita or the two very famous films. We live in an age of ignorance. When I go into a Woolworths shop it is obvious that the staff are not university graduates... but top level management that do not seem to have even a basic education is indeed depressing.

william chadwick, london,

In a world where thongs for pre-pubescent children can be a commercial success, one assumes that there are, sadly, at least some parents who find the name "ironic" or whatever.

Ian Kemmish, Biggleswade, UK

OK so a book and film were made with the central character of a girl called Lolita. Does that name have to be banned for evermore because of it.
Admittedly Adolph, Vlad and Ghengis have fallen out of favour with modern parents but I feel these mothers are being a little too sensitive.
Are we to return to the days of bare piano legs offending the delicate feelings of these people?

GJB, Slough, Berkshire

Sure sounds disingenuous to me. I refuse to believe that any business has no one in their offices who has even HEARD of Nabakov and Lolita, especially in the face of the admittedly terrible film version from the last decade.

I can at least speculate that functional illiterates are not exclusively an American problem.

Marcus, Northwest, GA, USA

Woolworths have senior staff who have never heard of Lolita?
Where did they find them?

Phil, Jakarta,