Alienation and struggle for power in Richardson's "Clarissa", Nabokov's "Lolita", and Fowles's "The Collector"

Alienation causes the characters in Clarissa, Lolita, and The Collector to contend for control of each other. All three male protagonists deny the women they love of freedom; all three women respond vehemently despite their isolation and despair. The resultant struggles for power link these novels and irrefutably solidify the sisterhood among the women. First-person narration further strengthens the bond among the three works. Richardson's Lovelace writes letters in order to tell his story; Nabokov's Humbert relates his account by use of his memoir; Fowles's Clegg records his thoughts daily in his journal. Each man tells of his vengeance and sexual domination over his innocent teenage victim. Ironically, none of the girls' strong wills can be defeated; each triumphs spiritually.