Kinbote comments that "iridule," a shimmering small cloud, is probably Shade's original word, and he finds out from the owner of the motel where he's staying that a "peacock-herl," a word written in the poem's margin, is part of an artificial fishing fly. Kinbote also mentions that "Sutton" is a combination of two doctor's names. In the poem, Shade equates five minutes to forty ounces, based on an hour glass in the Middle Ages having 480 ounces of sand. Kinbote can't do the calculations to figure out Shade's equation.
When Shade mentions being unathletic, Kinbote comments on which sports he performed poorly or well in. He reprints on of Shade's drafts mentioning a secret corridor, which Kinbote again relates to.....
This is a free excerpt of 135 words. This section contains 577 words. This
study guide contains 20,408 words (approx. 68 pages at 300
words per page).
Read the rest of this Literature Guide with our Pale Fire Access Pass.
